TUKTOYAKTUK
Clara Bates says she is just one of a group of Tuktoyaktuk residents who had their income assistance payments cut off this spring.

"It's been really tough," she said. "I've talked to a lot of people. I'm talking to them on a regular basis, just trying to keep their morale up and try to let them know that I am trying to do something about this."

On May 11, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment issued a letter stating that Bates' support payments would be discontinued.

The letter stated that she had "not disclosed adequate information about your income and circumstances."

Bates said she was told that her income tax information hadn't been received.

"I told them that I did all my paperwork," she said. "We did our stuff on time. The mail was pretty slow this spring."

In the meantime, Bates said she has been without income support since she received her last cheque in April. The letter stated that she could re-apply on July 27.

Robert Anikina, Bates' brother, also had his income assistance discontinued after being told that he hadn't provided adequate information. He said that at the time, he had been having difficulty getting to the income assistance office due to having a broken ankle and no telephone in his home.

Anikina said he explained his circumstances to a local client services officer, but still received a letter stating his income support was being discontinued.

While he said he realizes the paperwork was his responsibility, he believes being cut off for months is too big a penalty, especially for elders in the community.

"Some people have a long ways to go, they don't have money for cab fare and sometimes it's cold," he said. "It's mostly elders that maybe don't understand. I know a few elders need a ride to the office. It's tough for some people."

Anikina said he had a teleconference with the Beaufort Delta Social Assistance Committee on May 20 and another meeting with the Social Assistance Appeal Board on July 13, but still doesn't know if or when his payments will be reinstated.

He said his situation is becoming dire.

"I'm just really struggling with food," he said. "I'm lucky to get some help from my family members."

Others in Tuktoyaktuk are in the same situation, Bates said.

"In the beginning of May, there were a few elders that were refused income support for two or three months until Aug. 1," she said. "ECE was saying they should have received documentation right away when their income tax was completed."

Problems with the income support program began before ECE sent out its notices of refusal, Bates added.

In February, Bates became the unofficial spokesperson for a group of residents having recurring problems with the income assistance program in Tuk. She wrote a letter to the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk outlining residents' concerns. In the letter, Bates wrote that there was often poor communication between clients and the client services officer. Payment cheques were often delayed and household bills were not able to be paid.

She also said a similar incident took place last summer where paperwork issues resulted in residents being cut off.

'Very tough'

Krystal Pidborochynski, a communications and public affairs officer with ECE, stated in an e-mail to News/North that the department couldn't speak to the situation in Tuktoyaktuk due to privacy concerns, but provided information about program eligibility.

"In demonstrating financial need, IA applicants must provide financial information to their Client Services Officer to determine their eligibility for benefits," the email stated. "If an IA applicant does not disclose financial information, such as income they received (including income tax return information), and it is realized after IA benefits have been issued, they may be refused IA benefits for a period of 60 days for the first instance. For a second or subsequent instances, an IA applicant would be denied assistance for a 90 day period."

Bates said while she realizes why the rules are in place, they are having a devastating effect on members of the community.

"It's just I can't grasp that a law can stand versus a person. What's a law if a person has to struggle and go hungry just because of a law," she said. "It just makes me kind of angry."

Being denied income assistance affects the entire community, Bates said. As the months go by, more and more people are relying on friends and family for groceries and other expenses.

Bates has kept a running list of people who have been offering her their help.

"The people have been very good to me," she said. "I belong to a big family so we're always helping each other out."

Though families are doing what they can, Bates said the situation isn't sustainable.

"It's been very tough and the bills are piling up also," she said. "It's the first time I've really seen people cry or say that they're starving. They feel like giving up."

Anikina said he hopes sharing the story will help others.

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