October 2018

Legislative authority

Section 2, 5 and 7 of the Act.
Sections 40 and 41 of Regulation 134/98.

Audit requirements

Adequate documentation is on file to support the level of basic needs issued.

There is no duplication in the issuance of assistance, and calculations of income assistance are fair and consistent.

Application of policy

An amount for basic needs is provided to persons who satisfy all conditions of eligibility to assist with the cost of food, clothing and other personal items for members of the benefit unit. The provision of basic needs is based on family composition, the age of any dependents, geographic location and the individual circumstances of the benefit unit.

Basic needs rates

The amount payable for basic needs is provided in accordance with the following table:

No. of dependents
Other than a Spouse

Dependents 18 years or older

Dependents 0-17 years

Recipient

Recipient and spouse

0

0

0

$343

494

1

0
1

1
0

360
623

494
652

2

0
1
2

2
1
0

360
623
781

494
652
826

3

0
1
2
3

3
2
1
0

360
623
781
956

494
652
826
1001

For each additional dependent, add $175 if dependent is 18 years or older.

Remote communities allowance for renters/owners

If the recipient resides north of the 50th parallel and is without year round road access, an additional amount is provided in accordance with the following table:

No. of dependents other than a spouse

Recipient

Recipient and spouse

0

$272

$403

1

$430

$502

2

$526

$602

For each additional dependent, add $102.

Advanced age allowance

Each member of the benefit unit who is 65 years of age or older receives an Advanced Age Allowance of $44 per month.

Shared custody

There are specific calculation rules for applicants and recipients who share custody of their dependent children (see Directive 3.9: Dependent children for more information).

Dependents with dependent child(ren)

The budgetary requirements for dependent child(ren) of a dependent (who is a sole support parent) are as follows:

Number of Dependent Children

 

1

$366

2

$419

3

$479

4

$537

5 or more

$568

If the dependent with dependent child(ren) lives north of the 50th parallel and is without year-round road access, an additional amount is provided for each dependent of the dependent as follows:

  • $212 for the first dependent of the dependent
  • $98 for the second dependent of the dependent
  • $102 for each subsequent dependent of the dependent

Other amounts

Where applicable, additional amounts may be provided to: