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Learner Policy & Procedures

Published Date: February 06, 2014
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Financial Benefits Decision

Partial Financial Eligibility

Spouse/Partner Ineligible Due to Residency, Citizenship or Other Program Involvement

AUTHORITY
Income Support, Training and Health Benefits Regulation, sections 29 and 53

INTENT


Determine partial-financial eligibility when a learner household has an ineligible spouse/partner.

POLICY

As per legislation, an individual’s financial eligibility for Learner benefits may be affected by their spouse/partner’s situation. When a spouse/partner is deemed not eligible based on their residency, citizenship status or because they are the responsibility of another program their needs are not considered when determining learner benefits.

When a spouse/partner is deemed not eligible, their income and assets are considered to belong to the eligible household member and used to determine eligibility for the learner household. The ineligible spouse is not included as a household member in Mobius and LISO staff apply any non-exempt income and assets of the ineligible member to the learner.

In exceptional circumstances the Director may exempt the income and assets when the spouse/partner is not in Alberta. For example, a spouse/partner lives in a foreign country where laws do not permit money to be sent out of the country.

The following must be considered for spouse/partner eligibility:

Residency

A spouse/partner must reside in Alberta (including the city of Lloydminster)

Citizenship

A spouse/partner must be a:
  • Canadian citizen, or
  • permanent resident
  • temporary resident permit holder who has been approved for entry into Canada by the Government of Alberta,
  • refugee or refugee claimant, or
  • victim of human trafficking as determined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

When a learner has a spouse/partner who is sponsored see policy for Sponsored Immigrants.

Note
A spouse/partner who is a refugee is not eligible for benefits if they are receiving financial assistance from the Government of Canada.

Involvement with the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped Program

When a spouse/partner is receiving Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped please see the policy section for AISH Recipients as Learners to determine eligibility for benefits.

Involvement with other Education Programs

When a spouse/partner is participating in a full-time education or training program that is not approved by the Director then the learner household is not eligible to receive learner benefits.

Receiving Benefits from another Income Support Regime

A learner household is not entitled to receive Learner benefits if the learner or their spouse/partner is receiving similar income support and/or training benefits under another income support program.

Involvement with the Justice System

Persons who are the responsibility of the criminal justice system are not eligible for Learner IS benefits. Ineligible persons include: 

  • Offenders in a provincial or federal correctional center. 
  • Persons who because of the condition of their sentence or release are unable to work. 
  • Persons who because of the condition of their sentence or release are unable to leave their residence in order to work, e.g. some individuals on “house arrest”. 
  • Persons required by CSC to reside in a half-way house or Community Residential Centre. 
  • Persons on day parole from a federal correctional centre or Community Residential Centre. 
  • Persons required by a Temporary Absence (issued by Alberta Solicitor General and Ministry of Public Security) to reside in a half-way house or Community Residential Centre.

Note
Spouse/partners who are participating in the Fine Option Program may qualify for benefits if their participation does not prevent them from working or seeking employment.

 

APPROVAL

Learner Benefit Coordinator, Learner Income Support Office