The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, today thanked the Child and Youth Advocate for her report regarding the recovery of child support payments from income support benefits and provided an update on a review currently underway by the department.

The Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour is responsible for the administration of the Income Support Program and delivery of benefits. Under the policy in Newfoundland and Labrador, child support payments are treated as income when calculating eligibility for Income Support benefits. Policies across the country vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction with four provinces currently exempting child support payments from income support benefits.

A departmental review of the current policy in this province is underway which will be further informed by the report of the Child and Youth Advocate.

Quote
“This is a very important issue and one that I identified for review after coming into the department at which time I directed staff to conduct an analysis and review of the current policy. This review is ongoing. I thank the Child and Youth Advocate for this thoughtful and well researched report which will further inform the department’s work on this policy. The review and analysis will be completed to inform the budgetary process for next year.”
Honourable Al Hawkins
Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

– 30 –

Media contact
Ryan Crocker
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
709-729-1795, 725-9595
ryancrocker@gov.nl.ca