Debates of October 22, 2004 (day 26)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question now is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and it relates to one of the programs that we offer under the Income Support side, Mr. Speaker. This is an allowance, I believe of $250 that is made on an annual basis to Income Support clients. It helps them get equipped for the rigours of our climate here. It has come to my attention that this program can only be accessed if a client has been on our books for one year.

Mr. Speaker, it’s winter out there and I am wondering what kind of provision can be made for people who are otherwise eligible for all of our Income Support services, but can’t get access to that clothing money, and there might be some kids out there who could really use it right now. That is my question to the Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 289-15(3): Income Support Winter Clothing Allowance

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am afraid I don’t have the background on why the decision was made to require…It’s not a full year on the program, as I understand it. A recipient must have been receiving income support for six of the previous 12 months in order to qualify for the benefit. I suspect that it is because the amount they have divided up on a monthly basis would not be enough to purchase anything in the way of clothing. So in order to make it a reasonable amount, rather than giving out $20 a month or $40 a month, it’s seen as an offering in the program that allows a reasonable amount of money, like $250 for those who have been on the program for a while. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 289-15(3): Income Support Winter Clothing Allowance

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Those are all very good reasons and programs like this need some kind of criteria. It all makes sense from an administrative point of view, but we do have a seasonal situation to deal with. People come and may not be coordinating with our administrating purposes. Can the Minister go back and have a look at that regulation, see if it can be retuned to allow for some consideration for the timing when this is needed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 289-15(3): Income Support Winter Clothing Allowance

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can certainly have a look at the regulation. I think we have to remember that most people who come into income support are cycling through. Therefore, they have what they bring into the system already. This amount is probably set up to recognize that those people who have been on income support for a long period of time, have not had the resources to purchase the clothing on their own. Whereas somebody who has just come into the system in the last month will have been well off enough to have purchased clothing previously. Can I look at it? Yes, Mr. Speaker.