Social assistance recipients will no longer have their benefits reduced if they are also receiving child support payments, the Canada-New Brunswick Housing Benefit or compensatory money related to personal injury.
Child support payments: No longer considering child support payments as income will affect 1700 families on social assistance. The average child support amount for children of single parents on SA is $207.40. This change will specifically target one of the highest represented groups of children afflicted by childhood poverty. Child support, paid to single parents by non-custodial parents, will remain in the household to support the child.
Canada-New Brunswick Housing Benefit: This program aims at helping low-income families with children directly with costs associated with shelter and, indirectly, with costs of food, clothing, child care and transportation. The program provides a short-term benefit depending upon household income, composition and location. Social assistance recipients will not see their monthly allowance reduced if they also receive Canada-New Brunswick Housing Benefit.
Compensatory awards related to personal injury: The compensation will not be considered as income and/or available resources of a unit for the determination of eligibility or continuing eligibility for social assistance. This will allow the compensation received to be used as intended, which is to compensate for pain and suffering endured and to promote healing and well-being.