| Nunavut
Income Support Program
History
In
1991, the NWT Special Committee on Health and Social Services was
created to report on the adequacy and management of income support
benefits. People told the Committee that the income support system
was tough to get into and even tougher to escape. They said that
every step should be taken to encourage pride, a desire to work
and a sense of initiative in people who receive income support.
In
July 1994, the NWT government published the report Creating Choices:
Solving the Income Support Puzzle. The report talked about the need
to shift the focus of income support toward more community responsibility
and choice and to redefine the government’s role in income
support. The following year, the Social Assistance Program was transferred
from the Department of Health & Social Services to the Department
of Education, Culture and Employment to link the financial support
of people in need to education and training programs. To reflect
the change in approach, the name of the program was changed from
Social Assistance to Income Support. It included many territorial
programs, such as childcare subsidies, harvester’s assistance,
youth initiatives and social housing.
On
April 1, 1999 the Nunavut Territory was created. Upon division from
the Northwest Territories a 13th welfare system was established.
Nunavut,
as a part of the Income Support Program adopted the NWT Productive
Choices Program at division. The focus of the program is to assist
and encourage individuals to make decisions and productive choices
from among community opportunities in wellness, learning, training
and work experience to gain and maintain a greater degree of financial
independence.
The
program has five objectives:
- to
enhance decision-making, accountability and self-reliance of communities
and individuals seeking income support;
- to
provide temporary support for individuals until they are able
to make productive choices for themselves and their families;
- to
recognize the roles of tradition and culture in people’s
lives and the importance of family in the types of income support
services offered and the manner in which they are delivered;
- to
assess individuals seeking income support and refer them to community
social programs primarily through one community office;
- and
to make better use of resources, including both income support
funds and community human resources.
Additional
information about the Welfare to Work program and the history of
Income Support Program in Nunavut can be found at: Welfare
to Work Phase 1 & 2 Territorial Update
Program Description
The Income Support Program, administered by the Department of Education,
is a program of last resort to assist individuals and families meet
the basic food and housing needs while encouraging participants
to become more independent. The Income Support Program is governed
by the Social
Assistance Act, the Social
Assistance Regulations, the Financial
Administration Act, and the Access
to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Income
Support helps by providing training and financial help. However,
participants must create and follow a plan to make Productive Choices.
Productive Choices are ways
for the participant to work toward independence.
Any
resident over 18 may apply for Income Support, but it is a program
of last resort. It is the participant’s responsibility to try
to support themselves and their family before applying.
Purpose
The
Income Support Program serves two purposes:
-
Income Support makes sure that all Nunavummiut have access to
a minimum standard of living.
- Income
Support helps residents who are able to work become more independent
through counseling and training.
Application for Income Support
A community Income Support Worker will meet with applicants and
review financial records to help assess income, as well as financial,
personal, and social needs. This assessment will be used to determine
in which of the four program categories
the applicant will be placed. Benefits
that are available to applicants are dependent on program categories,
required documentation
and proof of need.
Programs for Children
The Government of Nunavut assists residents with children through
two programs: the Day Care Subsidy
(children age 11 and under) and the Nunavut
Child Benefit (children 17 and under)
Programs
For Seniors
Benefits
for Seniors under the Income Support Program are:
Income
Support Workers can also provide information for the following federal
benefits:
-
Old Age Security
- Canada
Pension Programs
- Guaranteed
Income Supplement
- Spouse’s
Allowance
Training Programs for Independence
The
Department of Education’s approach to helping Income Support
participants get skills and experience is called Productive Choices.
A Productive Choice is the name of any activity that will benefit
the community or develop skills that encourage self-reliance. Income
Support offers a wide range of supports and training opportunities.
Rights and Responsibilities
People
receiving Income Support have entered a partnership with the Department
of Education. To keep receiving Income Support, participants must
report to their Income Support Worker in person or by other means
once a month.
Applicants
who have been denied benefits have the right to appeal
the decision of the Income Support Worker.
Both
participants and Income Support Workers have specific rights
and responsibilities.
Program Policies and Guidelines
Manual
Frequently
Asked Questions
Income
Support Office Contact Information
Last
Updated: July, 2005
Income Support Division, Department of Education, Nunavut
All Rights Reserved
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