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Difference between revisions of "Factors That May Affect Welfare Eligibility (21:V)"
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Factors That May Affect Welfare Eligibility (21:V) (view source)
Revision as of 21:48, 20 September 2022
, 21:48, 20 September 2022→A. Family Units, Dependency, and Spousal Relationships
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Under welfare legislation, the Ministry pays assistance not to individuals, but rather to “family units”. The legislation deems family units to include a welfare applicant or recipient, their “dependent children” and their “spouse.” Currently, the legislation considers couples living in a marriage like relationship with several aspects of dependence or interdependency to be spouses after they have lived together for '''twelve months'''. | Under welfare legislation, the Ministry pays assistance not to individuals, but rather to “family units”. The legislation deems family units to include a welfare applicant or recipient, their “dependent children” and their “spouse.” Currently, the legislation considers couples living in a marriage like relationship with several aspects of dependence or interdependency to be spouses after they have lived together for '''twelve months'''. | ||
'''NOTE:''' Previously, the legislated time requirement for two unmarried people living together in a marriage-like relationship was only 3 months. Currently, the Ministry cannot deem two people who live together, but are not married, “spouses” until they have lived together for one year. | :'''NOTE:''' Previously, the legislated time requirement for two unmarried people living together in a marriage-like relationship was only 3 months. Currently, the Ministry cannot deem two people who live together, but are not married, “spouses” until they have lived together for one year. | ||
If two or more people are 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. | If two or more people are 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. | ||
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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 a dependent child. | 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 a dependent child. | ||
'''NOTE:''' The Ministry does not consider other relatives, such as parents or adult children as dependants, even if they live with and rely upon the applicant. | :'''NOTE:''' The Ministry does not consider other relatives, such as parents or adult children as dependants, even if they live with and rely upon the applicant. | ||
To be considered a "dependent child", a child must: | To be considered a "dependent child", a child must: | ||
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*whether either party has an ongoing sexual relationship with another person. | *whether either party has an ongoing sexual relationship with another person. | ||
Cases where a disabled person lives with a roommate who helps with their disability caregiving needs can be tricky. Consider referring such cases to an organization such as Disability Alliance BC. Ministry policy provides that when it is assessing whether a disabled person is in a spousal relationship with a roommate, the Ministry must consider whether any interdependency in their relationship is attributable to the person’s disability caregiving needs (not a marriage like relationship) (see Ministry Procedures under “completing an assessment to determine if applicants or recipients are spouses” at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/support-and-shelter/family-composition?keyword=family&keyword=composition) | Cases where a disabled person lives with a roommate who helps with their disability caregiving needs can be tricky. Consider referring such cases to an organization such as Disability Alliance BC. Ministry policy provides that when it is assessing whether a disabled person is in a spousal relationship with a roommate, the Ministry must consider whether any interdependency in their relationship is attributable to the person’s disability caregiving needs (not a marriage like relationship) (see Ministry Procedures under “completing an assessment to determine if applicants or recipients are spouses” at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/support-and-shelter/family-composition?keyword=family&keyword=composition) | ||
== B. Failure to Meet Employment-Related Obligations == | == B. Failure to Meet Employment-Related Obligations == | ||