3. Wage Exemption

In recognition that the first year of employment is critical because this is when a lasting attachment to the labour force is formed, FCS designed the wage exemption program that allows individuals to earn up to $200/month (family) or $150/month (single) without affecting their monthly cheque. Any money earned over and above is clawed back dollar for dollar. An extended wage exemption program is available to clients who meet the criteria. The wage exemption program is meant to be an incentive for people to work. However, often the reverse happens. People do not feel it is worthwhile to work beyond the hours that are allowable. The policy also restricts opportunities for seasonal, part-time and on-call casual work. For example, in rural communities individuals might be hired on at a local farm to help with the harvest. In some cases, this sort of seasonal work might be the only employment available for the individual until the next harvest season. However, they are still limited to what they can make before their income is clawed back. Although the extended wage exemption program addresses some of these concerns, our research has shown that it is underutilized, few people are aware of its existence or have benefited from it.

4. Limited Housing for Non-Elderly Single People

As with many social programs, funding for social housing has been drastically cut in recent years. In New Brunswick, the priority has been to provide subsidized housing for families with children, seniors and disabled persons. Statistically, half of the income assistance caseload in New Brunswick, is non-elderly single people. Forty-six percent of single people are poor and 56% pay unaffordable shelter costs. Whether single people receive $486 or $264/month, they will pay a significant portion of their income on rent. That leaves very little money to meet their other basic needs. In 2001 there were 727 applicants on the N.B. Housing List (Saint John) with 147 representing non-elderly single people. Twenty subsidized housing units became available in the first six months of 2000 with only 2% of these units allocated to non-elderly singles. In community research efforts, there were tragic stories of single women returning to abusive partners because they could not access affordable housing and would only receive $264.00 from income assistance. Still other stories pointed out how single men with virtually no access to affordable housing and with limited monthly income, feel pressure to acquire a woman and child. In many cases, this leads to transient relationships that may be characterized by instability and abuse.

We know that adequate and affordable housing can have a positive impact on our health and well-being. Non-elderly singles represent a large number of people living in poverty in our community yet they are a group that has consistently fallen through the cracks of our systems.

On the Outside: Some Effects of Four Key Government Policies

Facilitated by Brenda Murphy and Members, UCSN

VOICES
As soon as participants had settled into their seats, seemingly spontaneous ad hoc “voices” came from table participants who as all discovered afterward, had been asked to give ‘voice’ to direct quotes by people living in poverty and others who work in the delivery of services. This powerful, unannounced opening immediately reinforced in each person the common and important purpose for being present. More importantly perhaps, it helped center and strengthen the collective energy of all in the room. The voices, in variously tempered tones of resignation and hope said:

“I might be able to survive easier and begin to think about getting off the system if I could live with my sister. We could share expenses; I wouldn’t have to go to the Food Bank; we could baby sit for each other. But if I do, income assistance will take a large cut out of my cheque and I’m no further ahead. Now I’m living in an apartment where I pay 75% of my income on rent - I’ve been on the waiting list for subsidized housing for three years.”

“I have the chance to work at Tim Hortons for minimum wage. My shift will be from 4:00 p.m. - midnight. I CAN’T ask my Mom to baby sit for 40 hours a week for free, and Income Assistance won’t pay her to do it. I can’t take a bus home after work (they don’t go to my neighbourhood); it’s too far and not safe to walk. I’ll probably lose my health card as well. I can’t see how I can take that job.”