Receiving Support

If eligible, the amount of assistance you receive will depend on your situation. Your family size, income and housing arrangements will be considered. If you live in a remote northern community, you may be eligible for additional benefits.

The amount of your monthly benefit is determined by first looking at the total amount of benefits you are eligible to receive. That amount is then reduced by the amount of any non-exempt income or non-exempt assets received in the previous month.

There are several different types of benefits for SIS and SAID…

• Basic Benefit –a benefit that provides for basic necessities such as food, clothing, transportation and personal items.
• Child Benefit –a benefit that covers some child-related expenses. It is only available for parents who are not eligible for the Canada Child Benefit.
• Shelter Benefit – a benefit that covers things like rent, mortgage payments and utilities. It is based on the size of the household (single, couple, family with children). There are also specific benefits for security deposits.
• Change of Circumstances Benefits – available to those who are entering the workforce or starting a training program or are required to relocate.

Other benefits may be available, including:

• short-term and long-term childcare
• travel benefits for things like medical appointments
• for special diets
• for funerals
• to help get ID
• for emergencies

Other benefits may be available. Complete information about benefits is available from your nearest Social Service office.

If your situation changes, notify your worker of the change as soon as possible. This includes any changes to:

• who is part of your household, including when you get married, stop living with a common law partner or have a baby
• your income or your spouse’s income
• assets you have, for example if you buy a new second car
• where you live
• the type of housing you live in
• your health or disability that are significant for SAID

If the change means you should get more money, the increase may only start when your worker has the information. If the change means you should get less money, you may have to pay back the amount you should not have received.

The same rules that are used to decide if you can get benefits and how much, when you first apply, still apply. This means income that is not exempt will be deducted from your next month’s benefit payment and, if it is more than you would get in the next month, you need to support yourself for a period of time. It also means that if you have excess assets in a month, you will not get benefits starting the next month.

Social services may review your situation at any time they think there has been a change in your circumstances. With SAID, a review will also happen every 3 years regardless. Reviews are used to confirm that you are still eligible for benefits. At the review, the worker looks at your current financial and personal situation as well as changes in your particular needs. Your case plan, including job searches and plans for future training, will also be reviewed.

Keeping a file will help you be prepared for a review. It can also be helpful if you have a disagreement with a decision made by your worker. The file could include:

• details of any income you earn
• notes on telephone calls and visits with your worker
• receipts for rent, special needs, utilities and drugs
• copies of letters you send or receive
• cheque stubs
• any other information you think might be important

Social services may sometimes give you more money than you were supposed to receive. This is called an overpayment. Overpayments may happen if:

• your worker's information about your family size and income is not correct
• Social Services made a mistake
• you did not notify your worker about a change in your family situation
• you received other income
• you failed to report income
• you had to ask for additional emergency assistance
• Social Services paid your security deposit
• Social Services paid your landlord for damages or unpaid rent

You must repay Social Services for overpayments. Even if Social Services makes a mistake and pays you too much, you still must pay back the amount that was overpaid. Even if you are no longer receiving assistance, you must still repay any overpayment. Social Services must notify you in writing of the amount and the reasons for the overpayment.

Social Services takes off a set amount each month until you pay back the entire amount. If you are on SAID, the amount is based on the amount of your SAID benefits (you pay more if you receive more). If you are on SIS, there is a flat rate. You can ask for a lower amount in cases where a mistake by Social Services caused the overpayment.

Social Services may also choose to file a certificate with the Court of King's Bench. Once filed, the certificate has the same effect as a judgment against you. Legal ways to collect an unpaid judgment include asking the sheriff to:

• garnish your money (for example from your wages)
• seize money from your bank account
• seize and sell your property

If you intentionally provide false information to Social Services to more assistance, you can be charged with fraud. You will still have to pay back the overpayment.