Income Assistance Program

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) Income Assistance Program is one of five Social Development Programs offered through the Department.

AANDC has engaged in on-reserve income assistance activities since 1964, with the broad objective of providing individuals and families with the means to meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter. AANDC also funds special needs allowances for goods and services which are essential to the physical or social well-being of an eligible recipient but are not included as items of basic need, such as basic items of furniture and the cost of a physician recommended diet. Additionally, when funding is available, AANDC has the authority to support pre-employment activities such as counselling, education upgrading, life skills training, etc.

As a matter of policy, AANDC follows the terms and conditions of provincial and territorial general assistance programs. While AANDC may directly deliver the income assistance program, the program has been largely devolved. The Department's present involvement in income assistance activities is primarily to provide funding to First Nations who in turn deliver programs and services to community members. In 2006-2007, 534 First Nations administered their own program (This figure does not include First Nations functioning under self-government arrangements).

As the province and territories shift their income support programming to become more proactive in nature, AANDC too, recognizes the need for reform. As such, the department is currently exploring options for moving forward and making changes to the existing income assistance programming on reserve.

For further information about the Income Assistance Program, please contact your regional office.

• Success Story: Saskatchewan Active Measures
• Income Assistance Program – National Manual
• Memorandum of Understanding concerning Collaboration to increase labour force participation of First Nations through Active Measures in Saskatchewan