Appendix

Glossary

Caseload — Number of family units receiving temporary, disability or supplementary assistance.

Disability Assistance — Financial assistance provided to eligible persons who have been designated as meeting the criteria of a Person with Disabilities, as defined in the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act.

Earned income — Any money or value received in exchange for work or the provision of a service (this includes stipends provided to clients for their participation in volunteer positions designed to build employment skills).

Employment-related Obligations — The ministry's expectation that a client will seek work, based upon individual ability.

Employment Plan — A document that initiates discussion between the client and the ministry and supports employment planning and successful client outcomes. This is a mandatory requirement for most clients with employment-related obligations.

Employment Programs — Programs targeted toward employment and job readiness established or funded under the Employment and Assistance Act and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act.

Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal — Agency that administers the appeal panel process. Its role begins when a Notice of Appeal is received from the appellant. At that point, the ministry operates at 'arms length' from the tribunal process, and is simply one of the parties to the appeal.

Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities (ESPD) — A strategy designed to assist persons with disabilities to participate in employment-related activities to the best of their ability. The strategy recognizes that individuals experience disabilities in varying degrees, at different stages of their lives, and provides flexibility for those who want to volunteer or work full-time, part-time, or be self-employed.

Persons with Disabilities — People meeting the criteria as set out in the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act.

Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers — People with multiple barriers to employment are those who meet the criteria as set out in the Employment and Assistance Regulations. Examples of multiple barriers are literacy issues, limited education and work experience, long-term dependence on assistance and medical conditions that preclude or impede employment.

No Employment-related Obligations — Clients not expected to become completely independent of assistance through employment have no employment-related obligations.

Pre-application — Prior to receiving income assistance, applicants must meet certain requirements, including a three-week employment search. Information about, and verification of, the work search is required.

Reconsideration — When a client disagrees with a ministry decision, the client may request a review of the decision. The process involves a written request, which is reviewed by a Reconsideration Adjudicator who makes a new decision. If the client does not agree with that decision, the matter may proceed to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal.

Supplementary Assistance — Supplementary assistance addresses pressing needs, such as health assistance, emergency social services, bus passes and emergency shelters.

Temporary Assistance — Financial assistance provided to eligible persons who are expected to achieve independence through employment. Financial assistance provided to eligible persons who are expected to achieve independence through employment.