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Verification


Overview

Effective: July 11, 2006

The Employment and Assistance Act and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act (Section 10) authorize the ministry to request or seek verification of information related to eligibility provided by a client.  Verifying information helps to ensure that accurate and complete information is used to determine eligibility. 

Verification must balance the ministry obligation to verify a client’s circumstances in order to assess their eligibility with a commitment to respecting the client’s right to privacy and to be treated with respect and dignity.  Every ministry employee has a responsibility to prevent, detect and report allegations of inconsistent information or misuse of income assistance and to detect and pursue overpayments. 

Ministry staff are responsible for determining eligibility for assistance.  Clients are responsible for providing all pertinent information and or documents to demonstrate eligibility for assistance.

The overall objective of the verification process is to maintain the integrity of the income assistance program by:

  • ensuring that assistance is available and provided to those who meet the eligibility criteria;

  • ensuring that assistance is paid fairly and equitably; and

  • reducing error and abuse.