Empowering

Learning Centre program helping folks access benefits and refunds they didn’t know existed

Getting help to those who need it is the aim of every aid or support program, whether devised by government, NGOs or private agencies. It can be a challenge, however, when those who are struggling don’t know what is available to them or how to access it. Or may want to stay under the government radar.

It is one reason why aid agencies take so many forms in our community—not to complicate or confuse, but instead to find better ways to ensure no one is left behind. To plug the leaks in the social safety net intended to protect all of us.

Consider, for example, the folks who, for any number of reasons, fall behind in filing their income tax forms. They are effectively shut out of support programs such as the Canadian Emergency Relief Benefit (CERB) or the various other programs administered by income.

In this community alone, these folks are leaving more than $1 million in government coffers each year unclaimed. Money that was intended to be used to pay bills and feed families in Prince Edward County.

The Prince Edward Learning Centre (PELC), in partnership with the municipality of Prince Edward, is looking to mend this hole.

PELC executive director Kathy Kennedy explained that her organization, and others, including the Community Care for Seniors, have for several years arranged for volunteers to assist folks in filing their taxes. Last year, PELC, with funding from the County, trained 15 volunteers in tax filing. This year they helped 340 folks file their taxes. This work generated $1,029,906 in refunds and ancillary benefits—an average of $3,029 per person. Into our community.

But the initiative goes deeper—the team also provides guidance to their clients, pointing them to other existing programs developed to assist folks in their circumstances. This produced more than 240 referrals to existing support channels; 38 Ontario Energy Support Programs applications that resulted in $25,956 assistance in paying heating and light bills; and 49 Low-income Energy Assistance Program applications, delivering $24,400 in relief to families in this community.

“We know how the programs work, and who might be eligible,” explained Ellis Greenberg, Special Programs Specialist with PELC. “We know the questions to ask and can help them navigate the system.”

Kennedy cites examples of individuals rendered homeless—ultimately with the sheriff evicting them—only to find out that it all could have been avoided if they had accessed the array of support programs available to them sooner.

“There are dire consequences for these individuals,” said Kennedy. “Some don’t file out of fear. Most assume that since they don’t earn much, there isn’t much point.”

But the HST rebate alone can mean a great deal for folks subsisting on the margins.

Shire Hall stepped up last year to help. During last year’s municipal budget, council approved a one-year grant of about $18,000 to assist PELC in what it describes as a Financial Empowerment program.

With demonstrated and measurable evidence of success, they are exploring ways to firm up the partnership by way of a Prosperity Gateway model. Developed by Prosper Canada, it is a national model that includes tax filing assistance, financial information and counselling, credit and debt workshops, access to savings and asset building opportunities as well as consumer protection and awareness.

Council directed staff, during budget deliberations last week, to investigate these plans further and to bring a report back with a recommendation early in the new year.

“We’ve heard from the Prince Edward Learning Centre about the massive multiplier effect of being involved in assisting people in this way,” noted Councillor Bill Roberts, during the budget debate, “In terms of overall community benefit, $20,000 seems a nobrainer, in my view.”

The multiplier effect, as Councillor Roberts observes, is created when these earmarked funds—whether a refund or other benefit—is collected and spent in this community. When PELC can build that financial bridge, more folks can pay rent, buy food or other goods. These federal or provincial funds flow through the County’s economy. And it makes life for some just a bit more manageable.