News Release Archive
COMMUNITY SERVICES--MUNICIPAL ASSISTANCE
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Community Services Minister Jim Smith said today that he was
hopeful that the new Halifax Regional Municipality would
accept the offer to takeover delivery of all municipal
social assistance programs on April 1, 1996.
"It's a good deal for the new municipality. At a time of
federal budget cutting this plan fixes the municipal costs
at predictable levels."
The pilot program will offer greater efficiency through
full-service offices.
"Right now someone needing assistance in Dartmouth travels
to Young Street in Halifax for provincial family benefits
and to the West End Mall for employment and training
services. In the new system the client will be able to
access all services in one location often in their own
neighbourhood," said the minister.
Other changes include standardized food allowances, and a
new emphasis on job training and work experience.
"We have to look at people's abilities and potential as soon
as they come into our system. We have to support and
encourage people to find their place in the workforce," said
the minister.
The pilot program moves the province closer to its goal of
single-tier delivery of social services. "The takeover
affords us with a golden opportunity. After April 1, 1996 we
begin to harmonize rates and simplify rules for clients. At
the same time we will begin a dialogue about the future of
social services across this province. Losses in federal
funding make this a priority," said Dr. Smith.
Dr. Smith wants both levels of government to work together
to protect services for Nova Scotians. "Over the last year
my department has worked closely with municipalities across
Nova Scotia. If we continue that kind of cooperation we will
protect taxpayers and services," he said.
The province is also operating a pilot program in Cape
Breton. Both programs will be reviewed to determine the best
approach for a provincial single-tier system to deliver
social assistance.
Changes will be phased in. On April 1 most clients will see
the same caseworker at the same location.
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Contact: Margaret Murphy 902-424-4880
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BACKGROUNDER
Provincial Family Benefits is intended for disabled adults
or single parents, -- people who require long-term
assistance. Covers basics such as food, shelter and
clothing. Fifty-six per cent of the caseload is disabled and
44 per cent is single parents. This program is delivered by
the province through local offices.
Municipal General Assistance is intended for persons in need
of shorter term assistance. It provides for food, clothing
and shelter. Also items of special need can be provided
including: emergency dental, optical, medical equipment,
etc. This program is delivered by each municipality and
varies in each municipality. The province and the
municipalities also cost-share Home for Special Care,
housing for people with disabilities, and in-home support.
Many individuals in financial need, first access the
municipal general assistance program. Many apply and must be
assessed by the province for the family benefits program.
Additionally a number of family benefits clients re-apply
separately to municipal general assistance for special needs
items. The whole process can involve as many as three
applications and assessment processes. After April 1, 1996,
in the areas where single-tier delivery is being piloted,
this type of bureaucratic duplication will be eliminated.
In metro there are 17,000 people served by the dual system
of short-term municipal general assistance and provincial
family benefits. In addition people are supported by Homes
for Special Care, housing for people with disabilities and
in-home supports. The total cost of social assistance and
related programs in metro in 1995 was $197 million. The
province contributed $91 million in family benefits and its
related Pharmacare program. The province also contributed
$83 million toward the cost of municipal short-term
assistance. That leaves the municipality with a net cost in
1995 of $23 million. Under the pilot program the province is
offering to fix municipal costs at the 1995 level. Services
include food, housing, transportation and clothing as well
as dental, optical and medical needs. There are programs
offering job training, housing for people with disabilities
and Homes for Special Care.
There are 32,500 people in Nova Scotia currently receiving
family benefits. There are 20,000 people currently receiving
municipal assistance. The province has already piloting the
take over social services in the Cape Breton Regional
Municipality. By initiating pilots in both metro and Queens
the province will take responsibility for 65 per cent of the
total municipal caseload.
Most provinces moved to a single-tier system (provincial
delivery) years ago during periods of healthier finances.
Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia still have two-tier
systems.
trp Feb. 14, 1996 - 1:15 p.m.