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Income assistance clients to receive direct payments

Walter Strong/NNSL photoYellowknife, NT - Dec. 8, 2015 - Alfred Moses
Walter Strong/NNSL photo Minister Alfred Moses.

Northwest Territories residents who rely on income assistance will soon be receiving payments directly — a change from the current system which sees dollars doled out to clients through food voucher payments.

The move, made by Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Alfred Moses, is a response to a decision from the Human Rights Commission, which ruled the food voucher system is discriminatory, according to a statement released by the territorial government Monday.

The shift, set to take effect in February, marks a return to the government's previous approach in providing income aid payments directly to those in need.

Sending funds straight into the pockets of recipients is part of an effort from the GNWT to continue to offer programs that encourage self-reliance and "respond to the needs and realities of our residents," the press release stated.

The soon-to-be overturned food voucher system was adopted in 2010 following the request of the Hamlets, community members and the District Education Authorities.