If (it involves amending, or new) legislation:

• Drafting
• Caucus Legislation Committee
• Caucus
• First reading
• Second reading
• Committee of the whole
• Third reading
• Proclamation

Presenter’s Comment: First of all, the Department requires permission to draft legislation. Secondly, be aware that it is during the “Committee of the Whole” and Third Reading where real “guts” of the debate happens. If there is trouble with a policy this is where it may be stopped. Often, intended legislation “dies” on the “order paper” at this stage; thus requiring the process to begin all over from stage one.

Referring specifically to the Household Income Policy (HIP):

• Department is obliged to consider all revenue and assets for each member within a household when assessing eligibility for income assistance.
• Individuals who share accommodations, food and other day-to-day expenses are considered part of the same household unit.

Legal Authority for HIP

• Regulation under the Family Income Security Act, sections 2 and 3.
• Section 2 defines “spouse” as:
  • The husband or wife of a unit head, or
  • A person who resides with the unit head, who shares the responsibilities of the unit and who benefits economically from the sharing of food, shelter, etc.
• Section 3 deals with the unit itself, and states that there can be only one application per unit, that the application shall be completed by the unit head and that where more than one application is filed by a group of two or more persons who are living together and who do not legally constitute a family, they may be grouped into one unit.

Exemptions introduced in 1994 (two examples)

1. Youth under the age of 19, following a social evaluation, from parental home that is not considered a safe environment. (goal to keep more < 19yr olds in school).
2. Individuals recognized as visually impaired or disabled by the Medical Advisory Board (a deaf category was added in 1999). Does not apply to married individuals or those living common law.

Additional Exemptions in 1997

• Single parents (with a case plan)
• Extended benefits grandparented
• Adult child with income
• Long-term needs

Single Parent Families

• Two single parents can share without affecting benefits if at least one is actively involved in an approved case plan
• Specific eligibility criteria:
  • Each single parent family must have been on Social Assistance for 12 months
  • At least one single parent must be involved in an approved case plan
  • The exemption may apply for the length of time to complete the case plan
  • Other conditions apply that could allow the exemption to continue