Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Bromley on November 6, 2013, regarding calculating eligibility for income support.
1. When assessing a client’s need for income
support, what are the main factors (rent, income from various sources, number of children, et cetera) that are considered? In other words, how is the amount of income support determined?
The Income Assistance program helps people when they do not have enough money each month to meet their cost of living. The amount of financial support is determined by assessing an individual’s needs and their monthly income. Basic benefits include:
• the food allowance that varies depending on the
number of people in a given household and the community where they reside;
• shelter benefits whereby single clients receive a
maximum of $900 per month and families receive market rent; and
• utilities benefits that assist with the actual cost
of fuel, power, water and sewage services.
The Income Assistance program also provides enhanced benefits for longer-term supports such as:
• the clothing allowance that varies depending on
the number of people in a household and the community where they reside;
• the disabled allowance of $300 per month for
each adult with a disability;
• the aged allowance of $300 per month for each
client over the age of 60;
• the incidental allowance that assists with the
personal care costs of clients who are in receipt of the disabled or aged allowance. The amount varies dependent on the community where they reside;
• the child care allowance that assists with the
cost of child care for clients who are in school or working. The amount varies depending on the age of the child and whether the facility is licensed;
• the
furnishings
allowance, an annual benefit that
varies depending on the number of people in a household and the community where they reside;
• expenses for primary, secondary and post-
secondary education, which assists with the actual costs of transportation, textbooks and supplies, annual school fees and tuition;
• record suspension application fees that helps
clients pay for criminal record suspensions;
• security deposits to assist with the actual cost of
utility and damage deposits; and
• an emergency allowance of up to $500 for a
single client and $1,000 for a family to assist with emergency expenses such as the loss of a home.
2. When assessing a client’s need for income
support, what is the level of monthly income below which a client is considered in need of income support for:
a) an 18-year-old living on their own in
Yellowknife?
Only persons who have attained 19 years of age are eligible to apply for income assistance. Persons aged 16 to 18 years are not eligible to receive income assistance; however, they are directed to the Department of Health and Social Services, which may provide benefits under a social services program.
b) a single parent with three children in
Yellowknife?
c) an unemployed couple with two children in
Yellowknife?
d) a senior living on their own in Yellowknife?
The Income Assistance program does not have an income threshold for determining the amount of assistance a client is eligible to receive. Eligibility
for income assistance is determined based on a financial needs test that is calculated by adding together total needs for food, shelter and utilities, and deducting a client’s monthly household income. Amounts for basic benefits such as food, shelter and utilities are based on a client’s home community and family size as determined by the Income Assistance Regulations. Additional enhanced needs may be included in the assessment based on unique circumstances such as for incidentals, clothing, child care, educational expenses, furniture, security deposits, emergency allowance, and record suspension fees as well as the disability or aged allowances.
Each household has unique circumstances and expenses that dictate their need independent of total monthly income. Additionally, monthly household income is adjusted using earned or unearned income exemptions based on the type of income declared.
Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table “Standard Income Assistance Benefits by Household Composition,” which details the standard benefits that a 19-year-old, rather than an 18-year-old, living on their own, a single parent with three children, an unemployed couple with three children and a single senior would receive in Yellowknife.
3. Are income support needs calculated differently
in each NWT community? If so, for the same four examples listed above, what is the level of monthly income below which a client is considered in need of income support in each NWT community?
Yes, the amount of income assistance benefits vary based on the client’s community of residence, family size and financial need. Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table “Standard Income Assistance Benefits by Household Composition,” which details the standard benefits that a 19-year-old, rather than an 18-year old, living on their own, a single parent with three children, an unemployed couple with three children and a single senior would receive in all NWT communities.
4. In the most recent year that has complete data,
how many individuals received income support in each individual NWT community?
Statistical information collected on the number of Northerners who receive income assistance is grouped by a distinct case, which counts a family as one unit. Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table “Income Assistance Distinct Cases and Payments in 2012-13,” which provides information on how many distinct cases received income assistance by NWT community.
5. For that same period of time, what was the total
income support payments made in the NWT community?
The “Income Assistance Distinct Cases and Payments in 2012-13” document also provides information on total income assistance payments by NWT community in 2012-13.