LIVING EXPENSE

The MNBC–MHRDA, in an attempt to strike a balance between achieving maximum cost-efficiency and ensuring quality-training interventions for Métis clients in British Columbia, has developed living expense guidelines. These guidelines ensure a consistent approach in all seven (7) Regions, and provide fair but cost-effective criteria concerning client eligibility for this assistance.

LIVING EXPENSE CRITERIA

• Living expense contributions are negotiable and are made on a case-by-case basis, based on household income and incremental expenses (i.e. expenses incurred while in training), and are determined following the completion of a Living Expense Assistance Request Form (Refer to Appendix for Living Expense Assistance Request Form). Documentation of the client’s financial situation is required, the specifics of which may be determined Regionally.
• Clients will prepare a budget showing their needs and how they can be met for the period of the intervention. (e.g. student loans, family support, etc.). They will report how they are paying these expenses now, and what arrangements will change during an intervention.
• A client should not receive a living allowance that is higher than the client may expect to be paid after the intervention is finished, and employment commences.
• Meals and accommodations may be eligible under Regionally approved travel expense policies in certain short-term circumstances, or in the case of a “student residence” package, if deemed appropriate by the MHRDA Program Coordinator.
• Regardless of the source, verification of adequate finances for living expenses during training must be documented prior to approval and commencement of training.
• Approved living expenses are paid on a monthly basis, normally directly to the client, based on the client’s performance and submission of required signed forms. The accommodation/rental portion of living expense may be paid directly to a landlord, as determined Regionally.
• Commitment to living expenses, when approved, can only be made to the end of the fiscal year, with the intent to resume the payments in the new fiscal year, funding levels permitting. Therefore, if the client’s intervention carries into a new fiscal year, those months fall into a new application period.

ELIGIBLE INCREMENTAL COSTS

Transportation is normally equivalent to a bus pass (determined Regionally), but can be negotiable in the case of commuting to on-going training program, or for short-term and one-time/special circumstance travel requirements. The details concerning approved transportation or the level of travel reimbursement may be determined Regionally.

Relocation Costs can be supplemented as reviewed on a case-by-case basis, as determined Regionally. Receipts must be provided.

Childcare applies only in cases where increased costs are incurred as a direct result of entering a training program, and are negotiated based on demonstrated need. Clients must access the B.C. Childcare Subsidy Program prior to applying for this support, and the resulting shortfall, if any, will be considered for funding under these guidelines. Receipts must be provided.

LIVING ALLOWANCE MAXIMUMS

Although decisions are made about living expense on an individual basis, at Regional discretion, there are provincial maximum allowable amounts as identified in the chart that follows, as determined by the PETC:

Student Living With Parents Student Living Independently Student With 1 Dependent Each additional dependent

$400.00 per month $800.00 per month $1,200.00 per month $200.00 per month

A dependent is someone for whom you are financially responsible.

LIVING EXPENSE LEVELS/COURSE LOAD

With respect to training at public post-secondary Training Institutions, living allowance levels must also correspond to the course load taken by the client (based on existing criteria in cases where living expenses are being considered for a client). This does not include disabled clients who may be assessed against disability-specific criteria. The decision will be made on a case-by-case basis by the MHRDA Program Coordinator and/or the RETC, as applicable.

Clients are not permitted to drop courses without prior written consent, and the result may change living allowance levels, where applicable.

Disabled Clients – It is considered eligible to provide personal supports that may be required to enable persons with disabilities to participate in employment and employment services. This could be the cost of special arrangements or devices to accommodate a person with a disability.

CHANGE IN LIVING ALLOWANCE

In the event of a change in household income, course load or incremental expenses, clients with the assistance of the MHRDA Program Coordinator will be required to complete a Request for Change of Living Allowance Form (Refer to Appendix for Request for Change of Living Allowance). This form will be effective, until such time as an amendment is made to the Client Training Agreement.

DISBURSEMENT TRACKING

Following monthly payment of approved living expenses to the client, the MHRDA Program Coordinator is required to complete the Living Allowance Voucher (Refer to Appendix for Living Allowance Voucher). This allows tracking of all living allowance disbursements to a specific client and is held in the client’s file for monitoring purposes.