Elections Offer Little Hope for People on Income Assistance: Poverty Activists Disappointed in all Three Parties

An article written by Robert Devet of the Halifax Media Co-op identifies that there is still little hope for those living on income assistance. Here is an excerpt from the article:

Most Nova Scotians who receive income assistance continue to live between 30% and 50% below the poverty line, the minimum level of income deemed adequate.

A recent report quotes a support worker as commenting: “I don’t think that people who are not on ESIA [employment support and income assistance] even recognize or know how dreadful it is to try to survive on the food allowance.”

Poverty activists say that responses by the three political parties indicate that the situation for people living on income assistance will not change for the better under a new provincial government, no matter what party wins.

These same poverty activists had high hopes when the NDP took power, but are now disappointed.

Over the last four years, working poor have benefited from raises in minimum wage, and fewer seniors live in poverty because of tax relief offered by the provincial government.

The article also discusses the vague responses from the political parties around poverty issues, as well as the new rules Community Services instituted in August 2011 for people who receive a special needs allowance as part of their financial support package.

To view the full article click here.