Program Categories

An eligible applicant will be placed in one of four types of program categories.

Transitional Assistance
This category provides temporary financial benefits for people who are able to work and have job skills but do not have a job or who do not earn enough to meet their needs for food, shelter and utilities.

After two months, people receiving Transitional Assistance are encouraged to engage in a Productive Choice or risk losing their benefits.

Youth/Educational Support
These benefits are for Nunavummiut 18-24 who are in training to become more independent and are not receiving Financial Assistance For Nunavut Students (FANS).

Benefits in this category continue as long as you are doing a Productive Choice – an activity to become more independent - and have an Income Support Agreement in place that you and your Income Support Worker have agreed upon. Benefits may include food, housing, utilities, clothing, furniture, tuition, day care expenses and more, and will be based on demonstrated need.

Adult Benefits
These benefits – for Nunavummiut 25-59 who are training or working to become more independent – are similar to those outlined for youth.

Training opportunities might be found by the Participant or organized and offered by the Income Support Program.

The Transition to Work Program is another form of Adult Benefit. It helps Income Support Participants make the transition from Income Support to the full-time workforce.

You must be doing a Productive Choice and have an Income Support Agreement in place that you and your Income Support Worker have agreed upon.

Community Living Support and Seniors Benefits
Community Living Support provides Income Assistance for residents who are 60 and older or Participants not able to work. If you are placed in this category you do not have to be doing a Productive Choice

For Seniors, who own their own home, Income Assistance may be provided specifically to help heat your home during the winter (Senior Fuel Subsidy). Your Community Income Support Worker can also tell Seniors where they can get more information on the Territorial Senior Supplement and/or federal benefits.