Difference between revisions of "Factors That May Affect Welfare Eligibility (21:V)"

From Clicklaw Wikibooks
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 51: Line 51:
== C. Failing to Accept or Pursue Income or Assets or Disposing of Property ==
== C. Failing to Accept or Pursue Income or Assets or Disposing of Property ==


Section 14 of the EAA (s 13 of the EAPWDA) and s 31 of the EAR (s 27 of the EAPWDR) outline the sanctions that MSDSI may apply to applicants who fail to pursue income or assets or who dispose of property for inadequate consideration.  NOTE: The details of the sanctions that MSDSI may apply under EAA s 14 (s 13 of the EAPWDA) and  EAR  s  31  (s  27  of  the  EAPWDR)  are  summarized  in  the  Online  Resource  in  a  table  at http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/verification_and_eligibility/sanctions/policy.html      as above, or indexed under Sanctions/Policy/Reasons for Sanctions.  D.Conviction or Civil Judgment for Welfare Fraud As  of  Sept  1,  2015  ,  a  person  is  no  longer  ineligible  for  income  assistance,  PPMB  assistance  or disability assistance ONLY because of either: ·a conviction under the Criminal Code in relation to obtaining  welfare benefits by fraud or false or misleading representation  (i.e. lifetime ban repealed);  ·a conviction  of  a  statutory  offence  under  the  EAA  or  EAPWDA  (or  prior  welfare legislation); OR ·a declaration  of ineligibility  by  MSDSI following MSDSI  obtaining  a civil judgment  against them for a welfare overpayment. People  convicted  of  such  offences  either  before  or  after  September  1, 2015,  or  with  declarations  of ineligibility  related  to  a  civil  judgment,  can  now  qualify  for  regular  income  assistance,  PPMB  or disability assistance, if they meet all other eligibility requirements.  These  family  units  are    liable  to  repay  the  government,  under  section  27  of  the  EAA  (s  18  of  the EAPWDA),  the  amount  or  value  of  the  overpayment  that  was the  subject  of  the  Criminal  Code conviction  and/or  conviction  under  the  EAA/EAPWDA  and/or civil  judgment.      This  amount  is known as an “offence overpayment.”Section 89  and  89.1  of  the EAR  (74  and 74.1  of  the EAPWDA)  detail  a  minimum  monthly welfare benefit  deduction  and  repayment  structure  that  applies  to  an “offence  overpayment,”  as  well  as  the exemptions  from  those  deductions.    The  basic  rule  is  a reduction  of  $100  per  month  reduction  in welfare benefits for each person in a family unit who has an “offence overpayment.”Where a person was  convicted  under  the  Criminal  Code,  that  deduction  continues  until  the  amount  of  the overpayment is repaid in full.  Where a person was convicted of a statutory offence under the EAA or EAPDA, that deduction continues for: 1.12 months  for a first conviction (unless the overpayment is repaid in less than 12 months)  2.24  months  for    second  conviction,  (unless  the  overpayment  is  repaid  in  less  than  24 months); and  3.For  a  third  or  subsequent  conviction,  until  the  amount  of  the  third  or  subsequent overpayment is repaid.  There is some degree of ministerial discretion to waive the minimum $100 repayment requirements in a given benefit month.  The minister may waive the repayment for the following reasons: ·The minister is satisfied that the family unit is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
Section 14 of the EAA (s 13 of the EAPWDA) and s 31 of the EAR (s 27 of the EAPWDR) outline the sanctions that MSDSI may apply to applicants who fail to pursue income or assets or who dispose of property for inadequate consideration.   
 
'''NOTE:''' The details of the sanctions that MSDSI may apply under EAA s 14 (s 13 of the EAPWDA) and  EAR  s  31  (s  27  of  the  EAPWDR)  are  summarized  in  the  Online  Resource  in  a  table  at http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/verification_and_eligibility/sanctions/policy.html      as above, or indexed under Sanctions/Policy/Reasons for Sanctions.   
 
== D. Conviction or Civil Judgment for Welfare Fraud ==
 
As  of  Sept  1,  2015  ,  a  person  is  no  longer  ineligible  for  income  assistance,  PPMB  assistance  or disability assistance ONLY because of either:  
*a conviction under the ''Criminal Code'' in relation to obtaining  welfare benefits by fraud or false or misleading representation  (i.e. lifetime ban repealed);   
*a conviction  of  a  statutory  offence  under  the  EAA  or  EAPWDA  (or  prior  welfare legislation); OR  
*a declaration  of ineligibility  by  MSDSI following MSDSI  obtaining  a civil judgment  against them for a welfare overpayment.  
 
People  convicted  of  such  offences  either  before  or  after  September  1, 2015,  or  with  declarations  of ineligibility  related  to  a  civil  judgment,  can  now  qualify  for  regular  income  assistance,  PPMB  or disability assistance, if they meet all other eligibility requirements.   
 
These  family  units  are    liable  to  repay  the  government,  under  section  27  of  the  EAA  (s  18  of  the EAPWDA),  the  amount  or  value  of  the  overpayment  that  was the  subject  of  the  ''Criminal  Code'' conviction  and/or  conviction  under  the  EAA/EAPWDA  and/or civil  judgment.      This  amount  is known as an “offence overpayment.
 
Section 89  and  89.1  of  the EAR  (74  and 74.1  of  the EAPWDA)  detail  a  minimum  monthly welfare benefit  deduction  and  repayment  structure  that  applies  to  an “offence  overpayment,”  as  well  as  the exemptions  from  those  deductions.    The  basic  rule  is  a reduction  of  $100  per  month  reduction  in welfare benefits for each person in a family unit who has an “offence overpayment.” Where a person was  convicted  under  the  Criminal  Code,  that  deduction  continues  until  the  amount  of  the overpayment is repaid in full.  Where a person was convicted of a statutory offence under the EAA or EAPDA, that deduction continues for:  
#12 months  for a first conviction (unless the overpayment is repaid in less than 12 months)   
#24  months  for    second  conviction,  (unless  the  overpayment  is  repaid  in  less  than  24 months); and   
#For  a  third  or  subsequent  conviction,  until  the  amount  of  the  third  or  subsequent overpayment is repaid.   
 
There is some degree of ministerial discretion to waive the minimum $100 repayment requirements in a given benefit month.  The minister may waive the repayment for the following reasons:  
*The minister is satisfied that the family unit is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
*The minister is satisfied that a deduction would result in danger to the health of a person in the family unit; OR
*A recipient in the family unit is liable for an offence overpayment but the person convicted of the criminal code offence or Act offence that resulted in the offence overpayment is not a member of the family unit for the benefit month.
 
Clinicians should consult these sections to see what specific repayment structure matches the client’s current family unit and welfare benefit status, and what exemptions they might be entitled to. 
 
== E. Providing Inaccurate or Incomplete Information to MSDSI ==
 
If a household provides inaccurate or incomplete information regarding eligibility (under s 10 or 11 of the EAA or EAPWDA), and as a result receives assistance for which it was not eligible, MSDSI may apply sanctions under s 15.1 of the EAA (s 14.1 of the EAPWDA) and ss 32-34 of the EAR (ss 28-30 of the EAPWDR).
 
'''NOTE:''' The details of the sanctions that MSDSI may apply under s 15.1 of the EAA (s 14.1 of the EAPWDA)  and  ss  32-34  of  the  EAR  (ss  28-30  of  the  EAPWDR)  are  summarized  on  the  Online Resource in a table as above: http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/verification_and_eligibility/sanctions/policy.html
 
== F. Outstanding Warrants ==
 
Effective 1 June 2010, the legislation (EAA, s.\ 15.2 and EAPWDA, s 14.2) provides that where there is  an  outstanding  warrant  for  a  person  under  the  ''Immigration  and  Refugee  Protection  Act''  or  any other enactment of Canada in relation to an indictable offence, that person will be ineligible to receive income  assistance,  disability  assistance,  or  hardship  assistance.    Exceptions  to  these  rules  include people under 18, pregnant women, and people in the end stage of a terminal illness (see  the EAR, s 38.1 and EAPWDR, s 34.1 for details).
 
If  MSDSI  cuts  off  a  person’s  assistance  due  to  an  outstanding  warrant,  the  person  may appeal  the decision  by  requesting  reconsideration  by  MSDSI.  If  the  reconsideration  is  unsuccessful,  a  further appeal may be filed to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal (EAAT). While the appeal is in progress, the person should be able to collect a repayable appeal supplement. 
 
If a person is ineligible to collect assistance due to an outstanding warrant, he or  she may be able to collect two other forms of financial help:
*A repayable monthly supplement may be paid if a person can show that without financial help, undue hardship will be experienced. Normally, this form of assistance can only be paid for three consecutive months, unless MSDSI authorizes payment for up to three additional months or
*A  repayable  transportation  supplement  may  be  available  to those  whose  warrants  were  issued  in  a jurisdiction  other  than  the  one  in  which  they  live  and  who  are  not  able  to  cover  the  expense  of traveling to that jurisdiction to deal with the warrant. The amount of this supplement is limited to the cost of the least expensive mode of travel. 
 
If MSDSI denies a person’s application for these two supplements, a request for reconsideration may be filed, but if that fails, no appeal may be made to the EAAT.
 
If a person has a warrant that makes them ineligible for welfare, other people in their family unit can still get welfare. 
 
For more information about how an outstanding warrant may affect a person’s eligibility for income assistance, the Community Legal Assistance Society of BC has a published a detailed fact sheet at:
http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/clastest/pages/79/attachments/original/1401252000/Outstanding_warrants_fact_sheet_FINAL.pdf?1401252000
 
== G. Labour Disputes ==
 
Applicants  are  not  eligible  for income  assistance,  PPMB  assistance,  or  disability assistance  if  they  or their adult dependant is on strike or locked out (EAR, s 14 and EAPWDR, s 13).  An applicant in this situation  may,  however,  qualify  for  hardship  assistance  under  s  45  of  the  EAR  or  s  40  of  the EAPWDR.  If  a  person  is  not  on  strike  themselves  but cannot  go  to  work  because  their  union  is honouring another union's picket line, they can apply for income assistance. 
 
== H. Being in Prison or “Other Lawful Place of Confinement” ==
 
A person in a “lawful place of confinement” or on  temporary leave from such a place is not eligible for  assistance:  s  15  of  EAR  and  s  14  of  EAPWDR.  However, pre-release  prisoners  are  eligible  to apply for welfare on an expedited basis, based on an immediate needs assessment (see [http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/application/immneeds/policy.html MSDSI’s policy]). This is intended to  ensure  that  they  can  receive  welfare  immediately  upon  their  release.    The  [http://www.johnhowardbc.ca John  Howard  Society]  provides  pre-release  planning  assistance  for  prisoners,  including  help  with welfare applications. 
 
== I. Being a Full-Time Student ==
 
Full-time students who are eligible for student loan funding are not eligible for income assistance or PPMB assistance during the school term (EAR, s 16).  The dependent children of income assistance and PPMB recipients are not affected by this limitation. 
 
Section 1 of the EAR defines the term “full-time student,” and s 16(2) of the EAR sets out the period during which a full-time student is ineligible for income assistance or PPMB. 
 
Full-time students who are no longer eligible for student loan funding because they have used up their allowable loans, bursaries, or grants may be eligible for income assistance during summer break if they cannot find work. 
 
Recipients  of  disability  assistance,  and  their  dependants, are  not  restricted  from  being  full-time students. 
 
Students  who  are  enrolled  in  unfunded  programs  (where  student  loans  are  not  available)—such  as high  school  completion  and  adult  basic  education  or  students  whose  post-secondary  education  is sponsored under a federal or provincial government plan—may remain eligible for income assistance if they have received prior approval from the minister.  See EAR s 16(1)(b).
 
Part-time  students  remain  eligible  for  income  assistance  provided  other  eligibility  requirements, including employment obligations, are met. 
 
Certain  recipients  of  welfare  benefits  who  receive  grants,  scholarships,  student  loans,  a  training allowance,  or  withdraw  money  from  RESPs  for  education-related  expenses,  can  have  those  monies exempted by MSDSI as their “income” up to the amount of their education costs (for tuition, books, compulsory  student  fees,  and  reasonable  transportation  costs) and  related  childcare  expenses.  This applies if:
*The student is the dependent child (under 19) of a welfare recipient;
*The  student  has  the  PWD  designation  or  is  the  dependant  of  a  person  with  the  PWD designation;

Revision as of 22:05, 5 July 2016



A. Family Units, Dependency, and Spousal Relationships

Under the welfare legislation, assistance is paid not to individuals, but rather to “family units”. Family units are deemed under the legislation to include a welfare applicant or recipient, his or her “dependent children” and his or her “spouse.”Note that “spouse” and “dependent child” are defined in the legislation.

If two or more people are considered to be part of the same family unit, their combined assets and monthly income will be used to determine their ongoing eligibility for assistance and their monthly benefit amount will be calculated as a lump sum for a family unit of that size.

See the definitions of “applicant”, “dependent”, “dependent child”“family unit”, and “recipient” in s 1 of the EAA and the definition of “spouse” in s 1.1. The same definitions exist in the corresponding sections of the EAPWDA.

A "family unit" includes a person who is applying for or getting welfare as well as that person's dependants. A "dependant" can be a spouse or partner living with the applicant and can also be a child. Note: other relatives, such as parents or adult children, are not considered dependants, even if they live with and rely upon the applicant.

To be considered a "dependent child", a child must:

  • Be under 19 years old (unless the child is 18 and getting PWD benefits);
  • Rely on the applicant for food, shelter, and clothing; AND
  • Live with the applicant for more than half of each month.

If roommates do not want to be considered a family unit, they must be able to show that they do not fit the definition of “spouse” in s 1.1 of the EAA and EAPWDA. In determining whether roommates fit the definition in s 1.1, MSDSI may look at common-sense indicia of a spousal relationship such as:

  • whether the parties have separate bedrooms;
  • whether they have separate bank accounts, divide bills, etc.;
  • whether have they acknowledged a common law or sexual relationship as existing between them, either socially or for any other purpose; *whether they share household responsibilities on a consistent basis, i.e. childcare, meal preparation, laundry, shopping, house cleaning, etc.; and
  • whether either party has an ongoing sexual relationship with another person.

B. Failure to Meet Employment-Related Obligations

Under EAA s 13, EAPWDA, s 12, EAR s 29 and EAPWDR s 25, MSDSI may reduce assistance (for households that include dependent children) or declare a household ineligible for a period set by regulation (for households with no dependent children) if a recipient or adult dependant who has employment-related obligations:

  • a. fails to accept suitable employment;
  • b. voluntarily leaves employment without just cause;
  • c. is dismissed from employment for just cause; or
  • d. fails to demonstrate reasonable efforts to search for suitable employment.

“Suitable employment” is not defined in the income assistance legislation, but a past MSDSI operational directive defined suitable employment as “available employment which the person is able to perform, that pays at least the minimum wage, and which will maximize the person’s independence from assistance”.

“Just cause” for leaving employment is not defined in the legislation, but the MSDSI Online Resource states that just cause for leaving employment includes:

  • a. a physical or mental condition which precludes maintaining employment;
  • b. sexual or other harassment;
  • c. discrimination;
  • d. dangerous working conditions;
  • e. following a spouse to new employment;
  • f. leaving an abusive or violent domestic situation;
  • g. having to care for a child or other immediate family member who has a mental or physical condition which requires the person to care for them; or h.reasonable assurance of another job.

If the Ministry decides that the person was fired for just cause or quit a job without just cause, penalties may apply, including:

  • If the person does not have dependent children, the Ministry may not allow the person to apply for income assistance or hardship assistance for two calendar months.
  • If the person does have dependent children, the Ministry can allow them to apply for income assistance or hardship assistance, but the benefits will be reduced by $100 for two months.

NOTE: The details of the sanctions that MSDSI may apply under EAA s 13, EAPWDA s 12, EAR s 29, and EAPWDR s 25 are summarized in the Online Resource in a table at http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/verification_and_eligibility/sanctions/policy.html or indexed under Sanctions/Policy/Reasons for Sanctions.

The above employment-related sanctions do not apply to recipients listed in EAR s 29(4).

C. Failing to Accept or Pursue Income or Assets or Disposing of Property

Section 14 of the EAA (s 13 of the EAPWDA) and s 31 of the EAR (s 27 of the EAPWDR) outline the sanctions that MSDSI may apply to applicants who fail to pursue income or assets or who dispose of property for inadequate consideration.

NOTE: The details of the sanctions that MSDSI may apply under EAA s 14 (s 13 of the EAPWDA) and EAR s 31 (s 27 of the EAPWDR) are summarized in the Online Resource in a table at http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/verification_and_eligibility/sanctions/policy.html as above, or indexed under Sanctions/Policy/Reasons for Sanctions.

D. Conviction or Civil Judgment for Welfare Fraud

As of Sept 1, 2015 , a person is no longer ineligible for income assistance, PPMB assistance or disability assistance ONLY because of either:

  • a conviction under the Criminal Code in relation to obtaining welfare benefits by fraud or false or misleading representation (i.e. lifetime ban repealed);
  • a conviction of a statutory offence under the EAA or EAPWDA (or prior welfare legislation); OR
  • a declaration of ineligibility by MSDSI following MSDSI obtaining a civil judgment against them for a welfare overpayment.

People convicted of such offences either before or after September 1, 2015, or with declarations of ineligibility related to a civil judgment, can now qualify for regular income assistance, PPMB or disability assistance, if they meet all other eligibility requirements.

These family units are liable to repay the government, under section 27 of the EAA (s 18 of the EAPWDA), the amount or value of the overpayment that was the subject of the Criminal Code conviction and/or conviction under the EAA/EAPWDA and/or civil judgment. This amount is known as an “offence overpayment.”

Section 89 and 89.1 of the EAR (74 and 74.1 of the EAPWDA) detail a minimum monthly welfare benefit deduction and repayment structure that applies to an “offence overpayment,” as well as the exemptions from those deductions. The basic rule is a reduction of $100 per month reduction in welfare benefits for each person in a family unit who has an “offence overpayment.” Where a person was convicted under the Criminal Code, that deduction continues until the amount of the overpayment is repaid in full. Where a person was convicted of a statutory offence under the EAA or EAPDA, that deduction continues for:

  1. 12 months for a first conviction (unless the overpayment is repaid in less than 12 months)
  2. 24 months for second conviction, (unless the overpayment is repaid in less than 24 months); and
  3. For a third or subsequent conviction, until the amount of the third or subsequent overpayment is repaid.

There is some degree of ministerial discretion to waive the minimum $100 repayment requirements in a given benefit month. The minister may waive the repayment for the following reasons:

  • The minister is satisfied that the family unit is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
  • The minister is satisfied that a deduction would result in danger to the health of a person in the family unit; OR
  • A recipient in the family unit is liable for an offence overpayment but the person convicted of the criminal code offence or Act offence that resulted in the offence overpayment is not a member of the family unit for the benefit month.

Clinicians should consult these sections to see what specific repayment structure matches the client’s current family unit and welfare benefit status, and what exemptions they might be entitled to.

E. Providing Inaccurate or Incomplete Information to MSDSI

If a household provides inaccurate or incomplete information regarding eligibility (under s 10 or 11 of the EAA or EAPWDA), and as a result receives assistance for which it was not eligible, MSDSI may apply sanctions under s 15.1 of the EAA (s 14.1 of the EAPWDA) and ss 32-34 of the EAR (ss 28-30 of the EAPWDR).

NOTE: The details of the sanctions that MSDSI may apply under s 15.1 of the EAA (s 14.1 of the EAPWDA) and ss 32-34 of the EAR (ss 28-30 of the EAPWDR) are summarized on the Online Resource in a table as above: http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/verification_and_eligibility/sanctions/policy.html

F. Outstanding Warrants

Effective 1 June 2010, the legislation (EAA, s.\ 15.2 and EAPWDA, s 14.2) provides that where there is an outstanding warrant for a person under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or any other enactment of Canada in relation to an indictable offence, that person will be ineligible to receive income assistance, disability assistance, or hardship assistance. Exceptions to these rules include people under 18, pregnant women, and people in the end stage of a terminal illness (see the EAR, s 38.1 and EAPWDR, s 34.1 for details).

If MSDSI cuts off a person’s assistance due to an outstanding warrant, the person may appeal the decision by requesting reconsideration by MSDSI. If the reconsideration is unsuccessful, a further appeal may be filed to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal (EAAT). While the appeal is in progress, the person should be able to collect a repayable appeal supplement.

If a person is ineligible to collect assistance due to an outstanding warrant, he or she may be able to collect two other forms of financial help:

  • A repayable monthly supplement may be paid if a person can show that without financial help, undue hardship will be experienced. Normally, this form of assistance can only be paid for three consecutive months, unless MSDSI authorizes payment for up to three additional months or
  • A repayable transportation supplement may be available to those whose warrants were issued in a jurisdiction other than the one in which they live and who are not able to cover the expense of traveling to that jurisdiction to deal with the warrant. The amount of this supplement is limited to the cost of the least expensive mode of travel.

If MSDSI denies a person’s application for these two supplements, a request for reconsideration may be filed, but if that fails, no appeal may be made to the EAAT.

If a person has a warrant that makes them ineligible for welfare, other people in their family unit can still get welfare.

For more information about how an outstanding warrant may affect a person’s eligibility for income assistance, the Community Legal Assistance Society of BC has a published a detailed fact sheet at: http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/clastest/pages/79/attachments/original/1401252000/Outstanding_warrants_fact_sheet_FINAL.pdf?1401252000

G. Labour Disputes

Applicants are not eligible for income assistance, PPMB assistance, or disability assistance if they or their adult dependant is on strike or locked out (EAR, s 14 and EAPWDR, s 13). An applicant in this situation may, however, qualify for hardship assistance under s 45 of the EAR or s 40 of the EAPWDR. If a person is not on strike themselves but cannot go to work because their union is honouring another union's picket line, they can apply for income assistance.

H. Being in Prison or “Other Lawful Place of Confinement”

A person in a “lawful place of confinement” or on temporary leave from such a place is not eligible for assistance: s 15 of EAR and s 14 of EAPWDR. However, pre-release prisoners are eligible to apply for welfare on an expedited basis, based on an immediate needs assessment (see MSDSI’s policy). This is intended to ensure that they can receive welfare immediately upon their release. The John Howard Society provides pre-release planning assistance for prisoners, including help with welfare applications.

I. Being a Full-Time Student

Full-time students who are eligible for student loan funding are not eligible for income assistance or PPMB assistance during the school term (EAR, s 16). The dependent children of income assistance and PPMB recipients are not affected by this limitation.

Section 1 of the EAR defines the term “full-time student,” and s 16(2) of the EAR sets out the period during which a full-time student is ineligible for income assistance or PPMB.

Full-time students who are no longer eligible for student loan funding because they have used up their allowable loans, bursaries, or grants may be eligible for income assistance during summer break if they cannot find work.

Recipients of disability assistance, and their dependants, are not restricted from being full-time students.

Students who are enrolled in unfunded programs (where student loans are not available)—such as high school completion and adult basic education or students whose post-secondary education is sponsored under a federal or provincial government plan—may remain eligible for income assistance if they have received prior approval from the minister. See EAR s 16(1)(b).

Part-time students remain eligible for income assistance provided other eligibility requirements, including employment obligations, are met.

Certain recipients of welfare benefits who receive grants, scholarships, student loans, a training allowance, or withdraw money from RESPs for education-related expenses, can have those monies exempted by MSDSI as their “income” up to the amount of their education costs (for tuition, books, compulsory student fees, and reasonable transportation costs) and related childcare expenses. This applies if:

  • The student is the dependent child (under 19) of a welfare recipient;
  • The student has the PWD designation or is the dependant of a person with the PWD designation;