WHAT IS HARDSHIP ASSISTANCE?
Hardship Assistance is a type of assistance for individuals who don’t qualify for regular SA and can’t get money or help from any other source and is repayable. This assistance only covers basic expenses, like food and housing. It is meant to help you for a limited amount of time only. Like regular SA, Hardship Assistance includes a support allowance and a shelter allowance based on the unit size of your family.
SO HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR HARDSHIP ALLOWANCE?
To qualify for Hardship Assistance you must be living on reserve when you apply. You must also be:
- a Canadian citizen;
- a landed immigrant;
- a Convention refugee or
- a sponsored immigrant whose sponsor is unable to provide support.
You will need to show that you:
- can’t afford to pay for you or your family’s basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing
- don’t qualify for regular assistance
- have tried unsuccessfully to get other sources of funding.
HOW MUCH AM I ENTITLED TO RECEIVE ON HARDSHIP?
- Hardship allowance is only for basic needs such as food and shelter.
- You have to prove eligibility for every month hardship is applied for.
- ALL available income and assets are deducted from Hardship Allowance including child tax benefits.
- Like regular income assistance, hardship assistance consists of a shelter allowance and a support allowance.