Transition to Employment

3-15 Transition to Employment

PURPOSE

1. To reduce the immediate financial hardship that may be associated with commencing employment or employment related training.

PRINCIPLE

2. Where there is policy flexibility, practice decisions should not create disincentives to those who pursue training or employment opportunities.

3. The decision to accept a training or employment opportunity should not result in a financial loss to the applicant.

4. In order to not jeopardize basic needs, extra financial supports may be necessary to help applicants bridge the gap between existing financial obligations and the date new income is received.

5. Training or job performance potential will generally be enhanced with the elimination of financial stress.

POLICY

6. This Policy applies to applicants who -

a) have commenced training or employment after receiving assistance for the current month and

b) whose budget deficit for the following month of transition is insufficient to meet expenses up to the date of their first pay for that month.

7. For purposes of this Policy, income received from training or employment in the month in which employment commenced shall be deferred as income for the next month (transition month).

8. In the determination of benefits for the transition month the following expenses shall be included:

- full shelter costs
- FCHP or room and board - prorated to the date of the first pay cheque in that month
- continuing special needs (i.e. transportation, child care, etc.) - prorated to the date of the first pay cheque in that month.

9. All calculation of earned income shall include the earnings exemption.

10. Where the transition benefit and earned income is clearly more than is needed to cover the costs defined in paragraph 8, a lesser amount may be granted.

PROCEDURE

11. Complete a “Transition to Employment Benefit” calculation form.

12. Grant the transition benefit amount as entitlement for the transition month unless the normal budget deficit calculation is greater.

13. Where paragraph 10 applies, a lesser amount will be determined by the worker in consultation with the applicant.

14. Continue to use the normal budget deficit method for the months following the transition month.