Difference between revisions of "Welfare Eligibility (21:III)"

Section  12  of  the  EAR  and  s  11  of  the  EAPWDR  provide  that  the  MSDSI  may  approve savings accounts for the purpose of “future self-sufficiency”, and that these accounts will be exempt assets.  3.Disability Trusts are Exempt A ssets  Under s 13 of the EAR and s 12 of the EAPWDR, assets of up to $200 000 can be held in a non-discretionary  trust  for  a  person  with  PWD  status  (or  an applicant  for  PWD  status,  or for  another  individual  with  disabilities  in  certain  circumstances)  without  disqualifying  the person from income assistance or disability assistance.  There is no limit on the amount that may be held in a discretionary trust. D.Income Limits In order to be eligible for income assistance, PPMB assistance, or disability assistance, applicants must exhaust  all  other  sources  of  income  to  support  themselves  and  their  dependants,  except for  income specifically exempted by legislation or policy.  The net income limits for welfare recipients are set out in s 11 of the EAR and s 9 of the EAPWDR.  Schedule B in both regulations sets out the manner in which a person’s net income is calculated for the purpose of welfare eligibility.    1.Types of Income Relevant to Income Limits The MSDSI distinguishes between earned and unearned income for the purpose of the net income calculation.  EARNED INCOME.EAR, s 1 and EAPWDR, s 1 define “earned income” as: •any money or value received in exchange for work or the provision of a service; •pension plan  contributions  that  are  refunded  because  of insufficient  contribution  to create a pension; •money or  value  received  from  providing  room  and  board  at  a  person’s  place  of residence; or •money or value received from renting rooms that are common to and part of a person’s place of residence. UNEARNED  INCOME.EAR,  s  1  and  EAPWDR,  s  1  define “unearned  income”  as  any income that is not earned income. They give a non-exhaustive list of examples including: any type of CPP benefits;  WCB benefits and other disability payments and pensions; inheritances;  rental income from land or property;