Social assistance caseload lowest in five years

Julie Bettney, Minister for Human Resources and Employment, announced today that the number of people receiving social assistance in this province is the lowest level in five years. The social assistance caseload for the month of July was 31,928, while the number of actual recipients was 63,646. The last time the social assistance caseload totalled less than 32,000 was in December, 1993.

"The steady decrease in the number of people receiving social assistance in this province is very encouraging," said Minister Bettney. "We recognize that the caseload does fluctuate throughout the year on a seasonal basis. However I think it's significant that the caseload has decreased month over month with only a couple of exceptions, and that the levels now are comparable to those of five years ago." As an example of the fluctuations, Minister Bettney noted that the June figures were slightly higher than those in May, but were still much lower than previous years during the same time period.

Bettney explained that there are a number of factors which contributed to this decline, namely active employment measures, increased job opportunities, increased enforcement measures, and an aging population. Out-migration is also a factor, however it is one of the lesser factors.

"I think the province's continued job growth and the fact that we are working in partnership with community agencies, other provincial departments and the federal government to help individuals in their transition to employment is significant," said Minister Bettney. "For example, over the next year we will work with the federal department of Human Resources Development Canada to refer 1,500 social assistance recipients to employment programs offered under the Labour Market Development Agreement."

Bettney points to an improved computer interface with other government assistance programs as another factor. "We are now able to automatically track on a monthly basis those individuals who are receiving other forms of assistance such as Employment Insurance, Worker's Compensation, and Canada Pension benefits. This allows us to better determine whether people are eligible or ineligible for income support."

"These statistics are very positive," concluded Minster Bettney. "I'm confident that as we continue to work closely with our clients, the community, private sector and other federal and provincial departments to help individuals prepare for, find and keep employment, that this trend will continue."

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