GWA’SALA–‘NAKWAXDA’XW NATION EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM POLICY
Emergency Assistance Program Policy
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. BACKGROUND...................................................................................................................... 1 GNN Social Development Program......................................................................................1 Workplace Benefits...............................................................................................................1 Lines of Family..................................................................................................................... 1 Designated Family or Friends...............................................................................................1 EAP Decision........................................................................................................................ 1 2. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES......................................................................................................2 3. WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY?..................................................................................................2 Sample Scenarios................................................................................................................ 2 4. ASSISTING NON REGISTERED Gnn MEMBERS.................................................................3 5. WHAT IS NOT AN EMERGENCY?.........................................................................................3 6. APPLICATION STEPS FOR EAP ASSISTANCE....................................................................4 7. ALLOWABLE EAP RATES.....................................................................................................4 APPLICATION FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FORM.........................................................5 1. Applicant Information............................................................................................................ 5 A. Personal Information........................................................................................................5 B. Employment Information..................................................................................................5 C. Contact Information.......................................................................................................... 5 2. Nature of Current Emergency...............................................................................................5 3. Applicant Signature............................................................................................................... 6 4. EAP Review of Application...................................................................................................6
Emergency Assistance Program Policy
1. BACKGROUND Gwa’sala – ‘Nakwaxda’xw Nation (GNN) Chief and Council have been providing emergency assistance to membership for many years. The Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) is funded through own source revenues generated by GNN economic development and other activities. EAP is not funded by any provincial and/or federal government agency/department including Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).
GNN Social Development Program The GNN Social Development program may provide emergency assistance funding to on-reserve social clients pending their eligibility and the nature of the emergency.
Workplace Benefits Some employees of GNN or other entities are provided with workplace benefits through work depending on the nature of the emergency. Some employees are able to obtain assistance through benefits provided in Federal Laws or programs. In such instances, EAP (delegated to the Band Manager) will consult with the carriers of workplace benefits and Government officials for statutorily mandated benefits or Federal programs. In addition, the EAP will seek confirmation on eligibility of the applicant for emergency assistance from other sources prior to accessing GNN funded emergency assistance. If time is off the essence and workplace or statutory benefits will take some time to obtain, then the EAP may provide a loan to the individual upon signing a contractual commitment to reimburse the EAP when the other funds are received.
Lines of Family It is a reality that there are large families in the GNN community. Funds in the past have been released to several representatives of one family for a single emergency. This has led to excessive costs for some emergencies and the inability to provide funds for other emergencies.
Designated Family or Friends In order to solve this problem, Chief and Council will ask each family to provide the names of responsible individuals in order of preference who are designated to apply for emergency assistance. It will be the responsibility of the family in each instance to designate the appropriate people in the appropriate order who are able to apply under this program. A lump sum based on allowable rates is paid to the designated member of the household and they administer the emergency funds for the family for each emergency.
EAP Decision If families do not name individuals in order of preference, the Chief and Council will make the decision as to who should receive the funds in consultation with the family. In such a case the decision of the Chief and Council as to who to provide the money to is final. The onus will then be on the person who receives the funds to use them properly.
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Emergency Assistance Program Policy
2. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES GNN leadership has an obligation to its membership by helping in times of crisis. But, that obligation also extends to the securing and maintaining of current and existing financial obligations which include the curbing of unnecessary spending. Chief and Council have and will continue to provide emergency financial assistance to those who may need it and whose situation or emergency meets the criteria contained within this policy. EAP is designed to help those who are not in a position to help with respect to their personal lives and family situations. Such personal traumas may include but are not limited to; death of loved one, terminal illness, sudden ill health, life threatening situations (i.e. surgery), miscarriages, motor vehicle accidents, house fires, acts of God, etc.
3. WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY? An emergency is a sudden crisis requiring action and a number of examples have been provided in the preceding paragraph. It is an unexpected or sudden event that must be dealt with urgently. Sometimes the person(s) faced with an emergency are not currently working and therefore require help from their local Government. A working person may also be faced with similar situations and are unable to help their families during these difficult times. Such personal crises may include but are not limited to;
attendance at the funeral of a loved one, terminal illness, sudden ill health, life threatening situations (i.e. surgery), miscarriages, delivery of a newborn child involving medical complications, motor vehicle accidents injuries, house fires, acts of God, etc.
The person who will be helped financially must be the closest immediate family member of the person in distress (person in hospital, accident victim, etc.) *For purposes of clarification, closest immediate relative is limited to grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, as it relates and pertains to the customs of the First Nation.
SAMPLE SCENARIOS A. If the Emergency is regarding a wife/husband, only the spouse will be eligible. B. If the Emergency is regarding a child, only one parent of that child will be eligible. This parent can then use the funds to help and support the other parent. In the case of a single parent household, only the custodial parent will receive assistance. C. If the emergency is regarding a parent, only the spouse of that person shall be eligible. If the parent is single, only one child of that parent shall be eligible. However, they will be able to share the funds if they so choose. D. If the Emergency is regarding an elder, only the spouse of that elder shall be eligible. If the elder has no spouse, only one child of that elder shall be eligible. If there are no adult children of that 2
Emergency Assistance Program Policy
elder, only one brother or sister of that elder shall be eligible. If there are no children of that elder, only one grandchild shall be eligible. E. If the Emergency is regarding a brother or sister, only the closest immediate relative of that person shall be eligible. (see * above) F. If the emergency is regarding an aunt/uncle, only the spouse of that person shall be eligible. If there is no spouse, only one of the children of that person shall be eligible. If there is no spouse, nor any children, only the closest immediate relative shall be eligible for support (see * above). G. If the person involved in an emergency is a step-sibling, adopted family member, or otherwise nongenetic relative, the person in question shall be considered a family member in the customary First Nation manner. Therefore, the scenario would be subject to closest immediate relative (see * above). H. In the situation of a grandparent(s), the closet immediate relative scenario would apply. EAP cannot fund all grandchildren during difficult times, nor would each and every friend and family member be provided with assistance. I.
For clarity, EAP is there to provide help and support in times of need, but only one disbursement of funds shall occur. The onus will then be on the person who receives the funds as to whether or not they will use such to help their relatives. There will only be one cheque for one scenario, if that scenario falls within the guidelines of this policy.
J. In situations where difficulties arise, and if there are some inconsistencies about the nature of the emergency, and the number of family members seeking assistance are greater than the funds available, the decision of GN Council will be final. K. In cases whereby a newborn child and/or mother are in distress and pending confirmation from the presiding physician or medical practitioner confirming such distress, may provide financial assistance to the mother or her spouse. L. The closest family member of a person in long-term care may be eligible if that individual in distress has suddenly become seriously ill and requires hospitalization.
4. ASSISTING NON REGISTERED GNN MEMBERS Helping and supporting families that are not from Gwa’sala – ‘Nakwaxda’xw Nation may be covered pending the circumstances of their emergency and the availability of EAP funding. Non-GNN Members may still apply for EAP assistance; however the priority of Chief and Council is to assist those in need from GNN. In such instances where a non-GNN member is in distress or has been seriously injured, EAP assistance will be provided to GNN members pending criteria of this policy are adhered to.
5. WHAT IS NOT AN EMERGENCY? Certain situations and/or scenarios whereby emergency financial assistance will not be provided are as follows: A. Death of a loved one or other close relative. If the member in question has already died, the time for an emergency has passed and therefore is not an emergency. However, the initial costs and services for the deceased will still be covered to a certain amount by GNN and INAC. (See GNN Funeral Policy) 3
Emergency Assistance Program Policy
B. Delivery of a newborn child is not considered an emergency. It is generally understood that the spouse of the person giving birth is covered under the Health Center for food, travel and lodging. C. Visiting a sick/dying relative in a hospital. GNN cannot cover the costs of these visits as they are beyond the mandate of leadership. If one wishes to visit a sick and/or dying relative they must do so at their own cost. GNN has no obligation to fund these short visits. D. Being delinquent in the paying of personal bills and the cost of living expenditures is not the responsibility of GNN nor shall these costs be covered by EAP. All personal bills (i.e. utilities, rents, etc.) are the responsibility of that individual. E. Regularly scheduled surgeries and non-life threatening operations are not considered emergencies and would therefore not qualify for assistance. F. Broken limbs, non-life threatening lacerations, cuts and bruises, sprains, strains, dislocated shoulder and joints, muscle injuries, and other non-life threatening medical situations are not eligible for assistance.
6. APPLICATION STEPS FOR EAP ASSISTANCE Step 1:
A GNN member requiring emergency assistance would complete the standardized EAP form.
Step 2:
The completed form would then be forwarded to the GNN Council for review and processing.
Step 3:
If approved, funds would be available for pick up at the Band Administration office.
7. ALLOWABLE EAP RATES If a person qualifies for emergency assistance, the amount of assistance provided will be on a one (1) time basis. The following rates for EAP assistance will be provided pending the approval of the application and the availability of EAP community budgets: A. Travel $100.00 – Travel to Campbell River $150.00 – Travel to Comox/Courtney $200.00 – Travel to Nanaimo $250.00 – Travel to Victoria or Vancouver B. Under no circumstances will EAP approve more than the maximum allowable limit. C. There will be no double dipping for funds from other programs.
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Emergency Assistance Program Policy
APPLICATION FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FORM File No: _______________
1. APPLICANT INFORMATION A. Personal Information Name: ________________________________________________________________ (Please Print)
Date of Birth: __________/__________/___________ Month
Day
Year
Are you a registered band member of the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nation: Yes / No If Yes, please provide membership number: ________________________ If No, please provide the name of the First Nation whom you are registered to (if applicable): ____________________________________________________________ Please select one of the following that describes your current living arrangement: Single ___
Married ___
Common Law ___
If you selected Married or Common Law, please provide the following information: Name of Spouse: _______________________________________________________ (Please Print)
B. Employment Information Are you currently employed? Yes / No If Yes, please provide name of employer: ____________________________________ If No, are you currently receiving social assistance from GNN:
Yes / No
C. Contact Information Address: ______________________________________________________________ Phone Number: ____________________
2. NATURE OF CURRENT EMERGENCY Please identify the name of the individual whom you need to attend to: Name: ________________________________________________________________ 5
Emergency Assistance Program Policy (Please Print)
Please describe your relationship to this person. Please Circle on of the following which applies: Grandfather
Grandmother
Father
Mother
Brother
Sister
Son
Daughter
Please describe the nature of the emergency:
3. APPLICANT SIGNATURE By signing this application, I swear that the information I have provided herein is true and complete. Should my application be approved, I will use these funds as intended and for the emergency as described above. If information provided by me is determined to be false or inaccurate, this may adversely affect my future applications for assistance under the Emergency Assistance Program. Applicant Signature: _________________________
Date: ___________________
Please Do Not Write Below This Line
4. EAP REVIEW OF APPLICATION Does this application meet the criteria of GNN’s EAP Policy? Yes / No If No, please provide reasoning: (i.e. lack of funds, prior approval within the past six months, can’t justify, etc.)
If Yes, please indicate the following: Amount approved: _______________
Date of Approval: _______________
Chief and Council have reviewed the information provided by the applicant and hereby approve/deny this application. A copy of this application will be placed on file. The applicant may review this application at his/her leisure and in the presence of the Band Manager. Signature: _________________________ Date: ___________________ (Band Manager)
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