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Difference between revisions of "Welfare Eligibility (21:III)"
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→H. Two Years’ Past Financial Independence Requirement
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*people who have earned a two-year certificate or diploma, bachelor’s degree, or post-graduate degree; | *people who have earned a two-year certificate or diploma, bachelor’s degree, or post-graduate degree; | ||
*and people who were in prison for at least 6 months of the past 2 years. | *and people who were in prison for at least 6 months of the past 2 years. | ||
The exemption also covers those who “were for any reason unable, due to circumstances beyond their control, to search for or accept employment, and will otherwise experience undue hardship”. | |||
== I. Five-Week Work Search == | |||
All new applicants, including persons with disabilities, must go through the application process set out in ss 4, 4.1 and 4.2 of the EAR and ss 4, 4.1 and 4.2 of the EAPWDR. | |||
'''As of 1 October 2012, new applicants for assistance are required to do a 5-week work search (up from 3 weeks). Most returning applicants will be required to do a 3-week work search.''' | |||
New applicants must (unless they are exempted as set out below) wait five weeks to apply for income assistance and during this five-week period they must attend an orientation session and complete a job search. Applicants can do the orientation session at a session organized by MSDSI, by phone or in person with Ministry staff, or online at https://www.iaselfserve.gov.bc.ca/HomePage.aspx The online orientation is only available in English. | |||
An applicant must keep clear records to prove to MSDSI what they have done to look for work. MSDSI assesses the reasonableness of a job search on a case-by-case basis. Generally, a reasonable work search usually includes things like writing up a resume; looking for jobs on the Internet, by phone, and through personal contacts; submitting applications or resumés; going to job search workshops; going to employment agencies; asking for "job shadowing opportunities"; and going to job interviews. | |||
Certain groups are exempt from the orientation and job search; see ss 4.1(4),(5), and (6) and s 4.2(5) of each Regulation (EAR and EAPWDR) for details. | |||
'''NOTE:''' if a person can show that they have an immediate need for food, shelter, or urgent medical attention, they may qualify for (non-repayable) hardship assistance from MSDSI while they do their work search. A person in this situation should request an “'''immediate needs assessment'''” from MSDSI. MSDSI’s service standard is that a person requesting immediate needs assessment should have their situation assessed by MSDSI, and their immediate need met, within one business day. See MSDSI’s policy on immediate needs assessments at http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/application/immneeds/policy.html | |||
An applicant does not have to do a work search (either three or five weeks) if they: | |||
*Are prohibited from working in Canada; | |||
*Are age 65 or over; | |||
*Have a physical or mental condition that precludes the person from completing a search for employment as directed by the minister; | |||
*Are fleeing an abusive spouse or relative; OR | |||
*Are the single parent of a child under three (this includes foster children and some children placed in their care by MCFD). | |||
== J. Ongoing Employment Obligations: Employment-related Obligations and Employment Plans == | |||
If MSDSI considers a recipient of welfare benefits to be employable, the person will have “employment-related obligations” under s 13 of the EAA and s 29 of the EAR. This means that they must actively look for work and accept any job offer that the Ministry considers “suitable” (appropriate). They must also not refuse suitable employment. For more information, see “Failure to meet employment-related obligations” under section III below. | |||