Income and Employment Supports Act, Parts 14 and 15

INTENT

Post-verification reviews are conducted to ensure the integrity of Learner Income Support programs by ensuring funding is being issued to qualified individuals.

POLICY

All funding applications are subject to a post-verification review. An individual can undergo a post-verification review and reassessment more than once and be the subject of more than one post-verification review at a time that may cover more than one academic period. 

The Learner Income Support Office (LISO) reviews situations that arise after funding has been approved and while the learner is attending training or after the training is completed.

Post-verification reviews are initiated based on: random selection, targeted selection (e.g., location), internal or external third party information, or data matching with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

LISO is responsible for:

• Conducting post-verification reviews to maintain public confidence in the integrity of Learner Income Support programs
• Ensuring the accuracy of declared information by requesting substantiation
• Verifying a client’s eligibility to receive assistance
• Ensuring individuals are notified of the reassessment and their right to appeal.
• Referring all matters of suspected or alleged crimes of deceit to a regional Investigation Unit for investigation.

Note
There are six regional Investigation Units across the province. Matters of suspected or alleged crimes of deceit should be forwarded to the Unit closest to the Learner’s home address. If the Learner has left the province, matters are to be sent to the Edmonton Region Investigations and Review Unit.

Learners are responsible for:

• providing complete and accurate information on their funding application.
• keeping all financial records so they can verify costs and expenses if selected for a post-verification review, including:

   

  • Rent receipts and leases
  • Child care receipts
  • Bank and employment records for themselves and their spouse/partner
  • Medical documentation

   

• Advising LISO through a Change in Circumstances form of any changes in personal circumstances.

Note
False or misleading statements may result in the suspension of funding and/or prosecution.

PROCEDURE

Post-verification reviews will be initiated as either a non-tax post-verification review or a tax post-verification review.

• Non-Tax Post-Verification Reviews
  Post-verification reviews initiated by random selection, targeted selection (e.g., location) or internal or external third party information are non-tax reviews.
  
  Once a non-tax post-verification review has been initiated, LISO will send a Post Verification Request for Information letter to the individual requesting any required documentation or information within 60 days.

   

  1. If the individual submits the requested information within 60 days, LISO:
     
     • completes the post-verification review using the information received, and
     • reassesses the individual’s eligibility, and
     • sends a Post-Verification Decision letter to the individual notifying them of the decision and their right to appeal.

      

  2. If the individual does not submit the requested information within 60 days, LISO:
     
     • sends a Post-Verification Decision letter to the individual notifying them that their funding is suspended due to non-compliance and their right to appeal.
     • if the individual does not appeal the suspension, their funding is suspended indefinitely.

      

  3. If the individual appeals the suspension, LISO follows the appeal procedures outlined in the Appeals Through the Income and Employment Supports Appeal Panel policy.
     
     • If the suspension decision is reversed or varied by the appeal panel, the suspension is lifted and LISO completes the post-verification review using the information that the appeal panel used to reverse the Government of Alberta’s decision.
     • If the suspension decision is confirmed, the funding/file suspension remains in effect until the client provides LISO with the requested information to complete the post-verification review.

   

• Tax Compliance Review
  LISO compares information from the individual’s funding application with the information reported to CRA. When there is a discrepancy in the amounts a post-verification review can be initiated.
  
  Once a tax post-verification review has been initiated, LISO sends a Post-Verification Request for Information letter to the individual requesting any required documentation or information within 60 days.

   

  1. If the individual submits the requested information within 60 days LISO:
     
     • Completes the post-verification review using the information received by the Learner and CRA, and
     • Reassesses the individual’s eligibility, and
     • Sends a Post-Verification Decision letter to the individual notifying them of the decision (e.g., overpayment and their right to appeal)

      

  2. If the individual does not submit the requested information within 60 days, LISO:
     
     • Applies CRA evidence in Mobius, and
     • Reassesses the individual’s eligibility, and
     • Sends a Post-Verification Decision letter to the individual notifying them of the decision and their right to appeal.

If at any time during a post-verification review, the PCO feels the circumstances warrant further investigation the PCO refers the matter of suspected or alleged crime of deceit to a regional Investigation Unit for investigation by completing the EMP 0037 Request for Investigation.