Shelters provide a safe place for those fleeing abusive relationships and provide residents with most of their basic needs (food, shelter, emergency transportation, household, personal needs, non-prescription drugs, minor medical supplies).

From time to time a resident may have an emergency need that cannot be provided by the shelter.

POLICY

Income Support Benefits for Clients Residing in a Shelter

Income Support (IS) benefits as outlined below, may be issued to clients residing in a shelter providing they meet all IS eligibility criteria.

Any item included in the Core Benefits (Core Essential and Core Shelter) or in the funding provided to the shelters, may not be issued.

Personal Benefit – Family Violence Shelter

Clients residing in an recognized emergency shelter for persons escaping abuse who meet the eligibility criteria of the IS program may be issued a Personal Benefit – Family Violence Shelter allowance (in the amount of $357) in addition to other benefits issued to meet an emergency need that cannot be provided by the shelter.

Health Benefits

• Prescription drugs
• Prescription Nutritional Products for adults and children not including regular infant formula.
• Emergency dental
• Optical

Supplementary Benefits

• Emergency Allowance such as emergency child care and/or
• Emergency transportation not provided by shelters.
• Escaping Abuse Benefit may be accessed while in the shelter if required for storage of furniture while locating accommodation in the community.

Income Support Benefits for Clients Leaving a Shelter

Relocation Costs
Persons leaving abuse, regardless of their relationship to the abuser, may be eligible for a relocation allowance to move within Alberta or Canada for safety reasons.

Damage Deposits
Persons leaving abuse, regardless of their relationship to the abuser, may be eligible for a damage deposit to establish themselves in the community.

Escaping Abuse Benefit
Persons leaving abuse are eligible for the $1,130 Escaping Abuse Benefit to establish a new household.

Personal Benefit – Telephone and Transportation – Leaving Abusive Situation
Persons leaving abuse are eligible for the Personal Benefit – Telephone and Transportation – Leaving Abusive Situation of $104 a month to cover telephone and transportation costs.