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SIN Required

Last updated on June 22, 2023

Overview

Hardship assistance is provided to meet the essential needs of family units who meet all of the conditions of eligibility for assistance except that the applicant or an adult dependant was unable to provide a verifiable Social Insurance Number (SIN).  This category of hardship assistance is called SIN Required.  It is intended to provide hardship assistance while the applicant or adult dependant is waiting for a SIN to be issued. Applicants who do not have SIN cards but can provide verifiable SINs meet the identification requirements for income assistance or disability assistance and should not be issued Hardship assistance under this category.  

SIN Required hardship assistance is provided on a temporary basis, for up to six months. After the six-month period, the eligibility of a client for hardship assistance under this category will be reviewed monthly by supervisors. 

SIN Required hardship is available to applicants under the Employment and Assistance Regulation or Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation.

Policy

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Eligibility

 Effective: June 30, 2008

Hardship assistance may be issued under SIN Required to an applicant and their family unit who has sufficient identification (ID) on their case, but no verifiable Social Insurance Number (SIN), provided that the person makes every effort to obtain the missing SIN. Applicants who do not have SIN cards but can provide verifiable SINs meet the identification requirements for income assistance or disability assistance and should not be issued Hardship assistance under this category. [For information on eligibility requirements for ID and verification of SINs, see Related Links – Identification Requirements.] [see Related Links – Identification Supplement]

Hardship assistance under this category is provided on a temporary basis for up to six months.  After the six-month period, the eligibility of a client for hardship assistance under this category will be reviewed monthly by supervisors. 

Clients who are eligible for hardship assistance under this category may receive assistance via mail or direct deposit for up to six months.  Staff should inform clients of the ministry’s policy regarding direct deposit.  After receiving Hardship assistance under this category for six months, assistance can only be issued via imprest cheque.

[For information on direct deposit see Related Links – Individual Case Management.]

[For an overview of eligibility for hardship or the hierarchy of hardship codes, see Related Links – Eligibility for Hardship Assistance.]

Hardship assistance issued under this category is not repayable.

Once the hardship reason no longer exists, cases must be re-assessed to determine if the family unit meets the eligibility criteria for income assistance or disability assistance.

Note: There are exemptions to SIN requirements [for more information see Related Links – Identification Requirements – Policy – Verification of Social Insurance Number].

Procedures

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Issuing Hardship Assistance

Effective: June 30, 2008

For information on how to determine hardship assistance rates, see Related Links – Eligibility for Hardship Assistance – Policy – Amount of Hardship Assistance.

A Supervisor must approve hardship assistance under this category that is issued beyond the six-month duration.

Authorities and Responsibilities

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Authorities

Effective: June 30, 2008

Hardship – SIN Required

Supervisor

Monthly Review of Eligibility for Hardship under SIN Required after six months

Frequently Asked Questions

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Question   What is the procedure when the hardship reason no longer exists?

Answer   Once the hardship reason no longer exists, cases must be re-assessed to determine if the family unit meets the eligibility criteria for income assistance or disability assistance.