September 16, 2008
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
Sanctions For Fraud
Background
- Sanctions are aimed at deterring and preventing fraud to ensure income assistance is provided to those most in need.
- The ministry investigates all allegations of fraud.
Policy
- Sanctions for income assistance fraud vary depending upon the type of conviction.
- Lifetime sanctions apply to criminal convictions and where there are three or more offences under the BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) legislation.
Sanction Periods:
- If convicted under the Criminal Code of Canada:
- If convicted under the BCEA legislation:
- 1st offence – 1-year sanction
- 2nd offence – 2-year sanction
- 3rd offence – lifetime sanction
- Clients with civil judgements in relation to overpayments of assistance:
- 1st offence – 3-month sanction
- 2nd offence – 6-month sanction
- 3rd offence – 1-year sanction
Sanction amounts:
- Sanction amounts for the periods listed above depend on family type.
- Clients without children are disqualified from receiving assistance for the specific period associated with the type of conviction.
- Families with children remain eligible for assistance, but have their assistance reduced for the specific period associated with the type of conviction:
- $100 reduction per month for single parents
- $100 reduction per month if only one adult is convicted
- $200 reduction per month if both adults are convicted
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The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation Info Line at:
1 866 866-0800
For more information:
