Members of a case who are remanded to a correctional institution may not be entitled to assistance benefits. A Notice of Incarceration task is generated to alert the case manager when a client has been incarcerated in a Provincial Institution for a period greater than 30 days. Verification of the incarceration period should be made with the client where possible.
Applicants leaving a provincial correctional institution who do not have a permanent address may be entitled to basic assistance benefits at the Transitional Assistance Single Employable Rate or Transitional Assistance Rate, if staying at an emergency shelter or if using the local probation office's address. This allows the individual to receive funds as soon as possible upon being released, thereby reducing the probability of the individual reoffending.
Applicants leaving a provincial correctional institution may be screened prior to being released as part of their discharge plan. If deemed potentially eligible for basic assistance benefits, the applicant will remain screened in and an Office Registration appointment is made with a Needs Assessment Specialist. For example, if an inmate has a release date of March 31st, the inmate may be screened in on March 2nd and have an appointment date for the release date of March 31.
If eligible, the applicant will receive basic assistance benefits effective the date of the office registration. After one month, if the client does not have a permanent address the case is to be terminated.
Once released from the correctional institution, applicants must apply at the office where they will be living.
No overpayment will be created for members incarcerated for 30 days or less. If the member is incarcerated for more than 30 days, the regular overpayment procedures apply.
If incarcerated for less than 30 days, consider redirecting the cheque. If more than 30 days, the case should be cancelled.
If a member of a two person household is incarcerated for less than 30 days, take no action. It may be necessary in two person households, or in cases where the last dependent in a one parent household has been incarcerated: to allow for a period of adjustment. Therefore, the case manager should consider allowing these households to continue to receive the same Basic Household Rate (BHR) for a period of up to two months.
The procedure for incarcerated Young Offenders is the same as for adult clients, unless the termination of the Young Offender would affect the household structure. If the Young Offender is the only dependent in the household, the sentence must be for one year or longer before terminating them from the household. If there is more than one dependent, the sentence must be for 60 days or more before terminating the incarcerated dependent.