Streamlined Application

Effective: January 1, 2020

Under the streamlined application process, a family unit that includes a person who received income assistance or disability assistance in at least one of the preceding six calendar months may, at the ministry’s discretion, apply for assistance by submitting the Monthly Report Form (HR0081), instead of completing the Application for Assistance Part 1 and Part 2 (HR0080B and HR0080).

The three-week work search that is part of the two-stage application process is not required.

Former recipients may return to income assistance or disability assistance at any time during a month; therefore, the HR0081 is not required to be submitted by the 5th of the month, as it is for ongoing recipients.

Effective: January 1, 2020

When assistance is approved under the streamlined application process, the effective date of eligibility for income assistance or disability assistance is the date of submission of the Monthly Report Form (HR0081).

For more information, please see the policy on Effective date of Eligibility and Monthly Reporting Requirements.

Effective: January 1, 2020

When a former recipient returns to income assistance or disability assistance under the streamlined application process, income received in the month of application is considered when determining eligibility. This includes income received up to the date of submission of the HR0081, as well as any ongoing income that is expected later in that month.

Income and asset exemptions are the same as those applied under the two-stage application process. However, the one month wait for earnings exemptions is not required.

Any changes to assets must be reported on the HR0081 and will affect eligibility if their value exceeds applicable exemption levels.

For more information, review the Rate Tables, Income Treatment and Exemptions, and Assets and Exemptions topics.

Effective: January 1, 2020

Ministry staff may be able to use a shorter application process (i.e. streamlined application) if you received income assistance or disability assistance in at least one of the last six calendar months. This shorter (streamlined) application process may be done using the Monthly Report Form (HR0081). You must continue to meet all eligibility criteria for assistance and may need to provide additional information and documents to confirm eligibility.

Your case must already be open to do a streamlined application. If your case has already closed, you will need to reapply under the longer application process.

For more information on monthly reporting, review the Monthly Reporting Requirements topic