Is ESIA transformation still happening?

 

The Community asks:

Is ESIA transformation still happening?

By Kendall Worth!

 

 

Karla MacFarlane, Minister of Community Services, N.S. P.C. Government -- Where is Transformation?

Recently, I have had some conversations with people in my community about whether there is still an ESIA (Employment Support and Income Assistance program – that is the income assistance program in N.S.) transformation happening in Nova Scotia. People are wondering , with current inflation and the increase in the cost of living, and with the out of control increase in the homeless population in Nova Scotia, IS the Government still working on transforming the Employment Support and Income Assistance program?

I use to provide regular updates on the ESIA transformation. These days neither the Department of Community Services, nor the government is making any new information public these days about the next steps in the Transformation; that is if there are any “next steps”. The recap of the previous changes I covered in the Advocate, where I explained that there was “ some, but very little good news has come out of this transformation. I was talking to a Community Services official [before the last provincial election -ed] who told me that the department remains committed to the ESIA Transformation, focusing on case management and social Inclusion. Transformation will return once COVID is over, she confirmed.” But recently we have heard nothing.

In another article I explained that “These senior bureaucrats are telling me that the department is now beginning to look at case management next”. The reality is nothing changed in case management since the above article was written. That is what Income Assistance Recipients are currently experiencing

All of that happened under Liberal governments.

Then, in 2021 the current PC Government got elected. Since the current PC Government got elected neither the staff of Department of Community Services, nor the current Minister Karla McFarland,  have said a word, or released any information to the public about the future of ESIA transformation. The last bit of news that advocates did hear about theTransformation was just before Ian Rankin had to step down as Premier. At that time, DCS staff told advocates that the Transformation will continue. There is concern in the community that the PC Government may have cancelled the ESIA Transformation and not told the public about this decision. The Community feels that if the former Liberal Government had moved faster with ESIA transformation, then today we would not have the increase in the homeless population, we do have, here in Nova Scotia.

There is a part of the Income Assistance policy manual, that seems to be often hidden from Income Assistance recipients, and that one recipient recently discovered.

Found on page 111 of the ESIA Policy Manual!

8.2.13 Furniture Where no other alternative is available an applicant or recipient may be eligible for the following basic household and furniture items in accordance with the approved rate. Item Approved Rate Bed up to a maximum of $100 Crib new cribs that are the most economical and are Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved Mattress (including box spring) up to a maximum of $100 Refrigerator up to a maximum of $200 Stove up to a maximum of $150 Table/Chairs up to a maximum of $125 Washers up to a maximum of $200 The approved rate is plus tax when applicable. For items listed, when all other options for delivery have been exhausted, the most economical delivery fee may be included.

The Income Assistance recipient who brought this to my attention brought up an important point. During transformation DCS officials should have uncovered what seems to be hidden parts of the Policy manual. I personally know people who have asked their Income Assistance Case Workers for those allowances mentioned in section 8.2.13 of the Policy manual and got denied. In some of these cases the client got referred to the Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank by their Caseworker. Also the money offered to clients for furniture in this part of the Policy needs to be looked at. When you look at how much Furniture actually costs, even second hand, costs are above and beyond is what offered in this part of the Policy manual.

For more on how the system treats people, and another example of what an Improved ESIA System could change see https://nsadvocate.org/2019/06/03/kendall-worth-you-should-not-have-to-rely-on-charity-just-to-buy-some-cleaning-supplies/

If ESIA Transformation is off the table, lets get it back on the table!