Click to Access Social Assistance Policy, Procedures
COMMUNITY SERVICES--Click to Access Social Assistance Policy, Procedures
Nova Scotia is making its new social assistance policy available on the Internet.
The new Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA) system goes into effect today. In a first for Nova Scotia, its policy and procedures can be found on the Internet at http://www.gov.ns.ca/coms/manual/ .
The on-line policy and procedures manual details the most significant changes to social assistance in the province in over 30 years. The new system aims to reduce poverty in Nova Scotia and to help people move toward self-sufficiency.
"An on-line policy manual means instant access to the most up-to- date information on exactly how the assistance system works," said Peter Christie, Minister of Community Services. "Anyone with access to the Internet will now be able to learn more about the operation of the new assistance system.
"It's a valuable resource for our clients, advocacy organizations, our staff and the general public both inside and outside Nova Scotia."
Community Services staff will use the policy manual to support the delivery of the new assistance system. Policy and procedures are updated regularly, so using the on-line manual ensures access to the most current policies.
The first year of the new program will be a transition year, with former Family Benefits clients continuing to receive their current level of benefits for several months.
Former Family Benefits single-parent clients will continue to receive their current level of benefits until Oct 1, 2001. This will give clients two months notice of the changes and provide time to discuss their situation with their caseworkers.
Former Family Benefits clients with disabilities will have their current level of benefits continued until Jan. 1, 2002. During this time, a thorough and sensitive employability assessment will be carried out, to determine the appropriate level of participation in employment supports for each client.
The new social assistance system will support self-reliance through enhanced employment supports aimed at lowering the welfare wall. These changes include more funding for transportation, child care and training. Pharmacare coverage has been expanded to include the client's spouse and dependent children and extended for up to a year after the client enters the workforce.
The addition of the on-line policy and procedures manual completes the picture of Internet access to all documents relating to the ESIA system. The policy-manual Web site has links to the on-line ESIA Act and regulations.
Clients, advocates and anyone who needs information on the ESIA Act, regulations, policies and procedures can access all information, simply by visiting the Web site.
People can access the on-line policy manual from personal computers with an Internet connection or through any of the public Internet access sites throughout the province including over 300 Community Access Program (CAP) sites and most libraries.