The quality of life on social assistance in Manitoba has triggered an ombudsman complaint against the Manitoba government.
"There were a number of items on the complaint, such as people not getting information about what they're eligible for," said Paula Keirstead, spokesperson for the Community Employment and Income Assistance Education Program. "[And] people being detracted from applying for EIA, when everyone has the right."
Keirstead was one of the signatories of the complaint.
The complaint also highlighted rate hikes, to ensure rent is covered for those on EIA.
Employment and Income Assistance or EIA is one of the biggest government programs that deals with poverty.
An estimated 31,000 Manitoba families are receiving EIA.
'It's cost-efficient for them. The less the community knows about what's available, the less money they have to put out,'—Katherine McGregor
Katherine McGregor, who's raising two kids on EIA, lives in Winnipeg's Point Douglas neighbourhood.
She pays $550 a month for rent, but EIA only allots her $430 for rent.
In order for McGregor to pay rent, she has to take from the $500 she receives for expenses or the $500 she receives from child tax.
McGregor said social workers in general will not tell their clients about the programs they're entitled to unless the client asks exactly the right question.
"It's cost-efficient for them. The less the community knows about what's available, the less money they have to put out," said McGregor.
McGregor said the day after she receives he welfare cheque, her money is gone.
"We're at zero," said McGregor. "I have my buss pass and I have my groceries. We have everything we need, but we don't have any money."
She volunteers at Winnipeg Harvest and is part of the Housing Options Mentorship and Economic Security (HOMES) program.
McGregor, who has a B.A. in psychology but is unable to work due to depression, receives a couple hundred dollars per month through the HOMES program, which helps women figure out what EIA benefits they are entitled to.
The program is run out of the West Central Women's Resource Centre and receives partial funding from the province.
'I'm the boss of you. You don't have any rights from this point on,'—Heather Cox
McGregor said she's had a positive experience on EIA, but attributes it to her ability to articulate her needs.
Keirstead said the complaint to the ombudsman also requests a social worker code of ethics to avoid horror stories.
Heather Cox, a working single mother, said six years ago she was on social assistance.
Cox recounted what her first caseworker said to her: "I'm the boss of you. You don't have any rights from this point on."
Keirstead said she is satisfied with how the complaint is being handled by the province. The Ombudsman has talked to hundreds of staff in every office in Manitoba.
Keirstead, and the others who signed the complaint, expects a response from the province by mid-April. The province says it may take longer.
No comments:
Post a Comment