YELLOWKNIFE - A man who says he's nearly destitute is going to court to force a former employer to pay child support he says was taken from his paycheque but never paid to Maintenance Enforcement.

Facing major surgery, Paul Matwiy cannot afford to pay for his medications while two government agencies are garnishing more than half of his monthly Employment Insurance benefits. He said he's living off of barely $600 monthly. - Christine Grimard/NNSL photo

Paul Matwiy's case is expected to go before NWT Supreme Court March 12.

In his statement of claim, Matwiy said his former employer, Coyote's Bar and Grill, deducted $1,400 in child support payments from his cheque, but never paid the money to the territorial Maintenance Enforcement Program. According to his claim, a $1,000 cheque from Coyote's bounced and Matwiy said he's being held responsible for the overdue funds.

Matwiy said he is also seeking legal assistance to get back money deducted from his pay for an outstanding employment insurance overpayment.

Neither Service Canada, nor the Department of Education Culture and Employment - the two agencies Matwiy has turned to for social support - were available for comment.

Yellowknifer contacted Coyote's and the owner declined to comment.

Matwiy's claims have not been proven in court.

He said because he's being held responsible for collecting money not paid by Coyotes, money is being deducted from his weekly Employment Insurance payment, leaving him with about $600 a month.

Matwiy is supposed to receive about $1,548 a month from Employment Insurance. Deducted from his monthly income is about $200 for child support and about $800 to pay off the government debt.

"I'm at my wit's end. I'm not to blame here.

"I'm going to get evicted, my power's going to get cut off," said Matwiy, adding he relies on friends to feed him.

Making matters worse, Matwiy has a tumor, may need a kidney transplant and is scheduled for major surgery on April 17. He has an umbilical hernia, which has to be repaired surgically, according to his affidavit to the Supreme Court.

He received income stabilization for December and January to help him pay for rent and medications, leaving him a modest living allowance.

But Matwiy received a letter dated Jan. 22 advising that he would be cut off from those benefits because he "had sufficient income to meet his financial needs."

According to NWT legislation, which hasn't been revised since 1988, Matwiy is entitled to a minimum of $300 per month, even though his rent is more than $1,000 a month and his medications cost another $200.

Unable to foot the bill for all his medications, Matwiy turned to Mira Hall, a community outreach worker with the Great Slave Lake Community Health Clinic.

Although Hall wouldn't usually help pay for medication, she said she made arrangements with her supervisor to find the funding for Matwiy.

"From my perspective, it seems like a human rights violation," said Hall. "He's being denied help based on social circumstances."

Matwiy, who is currently taking three different medications to relieve his pain, said he spends his days going to different government offices seeking assistance. So far, he hasn't been able to find the income he needs to survive.

"I'm looking at surgery and these people are sending me all over town," said Matwiy, who has difficulty walking. Hall has been driving him to his doctor's appointments because he cannot afford any mode of transportation.

He has applied for income support due to his disability but has yet to receive an answer.