Debates of March 7, 2005 (day 50)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment in his capacity as the Minister responsible for income support. Mr. Speaker, recently I have been contacted by a constituent who is suffering from a chronic heart condition and requires a heart transplant. She also has two young children who she has to look after. Because of her condition, she is not able to work. She is highly educated. It’s not that she can’t get a job; she’s just not able to work. While she’s waiting for this transplant, she has to get herself into really good shape, which requires her to have a special diet. She has been running into all sorts of obstacles in terms of getting some government assistance to support herself and her children. I’m told there is really no separate program for persons with disabilities, there is no Income Support Program for people with disabilities. So there are two things she’s running into: that is the lack of separate funding programs for people with permanent disabilities or semi-permanent, and also the fact that while she’s waiting for disability payments, there is no transitional assistance available. Could I ask the Minister why it is we don’t have that sort of program in place? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 557-15(3): Income Support For Disabled Persons

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As far as I’m aware, there is a program or part of the program that supports people with disabilities and kicks in extra payments for those people who have disabilities under the Income Support Program. In terms of a transition, I’m not sure what we’d be looking for, but I’d be happy to look into the matter and get back to the Member.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 557-15(3): Income Support For Disabled Persons

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that the GNWT may have some programs for someone with a disability. It’s very minimal. It’s about $300 a month extra on top of normal income support. But one cannot get that, as they go through the federal process first and make sure they don’t qualify for the federal process. The problem is these take a long time. They could take three or four months. For someone who doesn’t have work, they have no money, the government does not allow any transition amount between while you’re waiting. Could the Minister revisit that issue? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 557-15(3): Income Support For Disabled Persons

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not aware of any tie-in to the federal program. I’ll have to look into that. The Member asked if I would look into it. The answer is yes, I will.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 557-15(3): Income Support For Disabled Persons

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s commitment and I will be happy to provide him with all the information he might require. But the third thing that I have to ask the Minister is the fact that our income support is really designed for people who are not able to get work for one reason or another, but not necessarily for those with disabilities. This woman who is disabled and can’t really function at 100 percent keeps getting asked to take a course on how to get a job and how to lead a productive life. That’s very frustrating. Would the Minister consider getting a different program to cater to that? Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 557-15(3): Income Support For Disabled Persons

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will certainly look into the issues that the Member has raised. Thank you.