7. ADMINISTRATION/CONTROL

7. ADMINISTRATION/CONTROL


7-1 Misappropriation of Assistance by Beneficiaries


PURPOSE



1. To assist applicants who experience on-going problems managing their Social Assistance benefits.



PRINCIPLE



2. Social Assistance is provided for basic needs or authorized special needs and is expected to be used for this purpose.



3. Applicants are responsible for payment of their own bills and are expected to take responsibility for their own actions when they choose not to pay them.



4. As a helping agency, it is an obligation to assist applicants to improve financial management skills.



POLICY



5. When an applicant has not used his/her Social Assistance for the purpose intended, resulting in accumulated arrears, the worker shall discuss the problem with the applicant and encourage the applicant to work out a method of paying the arrears.



6. In situations where negotiations between applicant and creditor have not resolved the problem of arrears, it may be necessary to "advance" the funds and recover them from future Social Assistance. Such recovery should not exceed six months or the date of anticipated termination of benefits, whichever occurs first provided it does not create undue hardship for the applicant.



7. Repeated problems may result in providing future Social Assistance as follows:

a) Direct payments to vendors; or

b) Credit/service authorization payments; or

c) Appointment of an agent; or



8. Where the applicant has lost the right to manage his/her own finances and is deemed by the worker to be ready to re-accept responsibility for his/her financial commitments, the responsibility should be returned to him/her on a gradual basis. For example, at first he/she might be given the financial assistance for his/her personal requirements, and then household supplies, followed by his/her complete FCHP allotment, until he/she is once again assuming responsibility for his/her full range of financial needs.



9. In situations where one partner is irresponsibly managing the Social Assistance, payment should be made to the spouse. This is a judgment made by the worker, usually in consultation with the applicants. Where one partner has not been part of the consultation, he/she should be notified of the reason for the change.



PROCEDURE



10. Any action resulting in a change in the method of payment to applicants shall be accompanied by supporting documentation stating the reasons and the attempts to resolve the problem.