The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) Social Assistance Program is one component of the departmental Social Development Program.

DIAND has engaged in on-reserve social assistance activities with the broad objective of providing individuals and families with the means to meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter. DIAND also funds special needs allowances for goods and services which are essential to the physical or social well-being of an eligible recipient but are not included as items of basic need, such as basic items of furniture and the cost of a physician recommended diet. The department's present involvement in social assistance activities is primarily to provide funding to First Nations who in turn deliver programs and services to community members.

DIAND must adopt the terms and conditions of provincial and territorial general assistance programs. While DIAND may directly deliver the social assistance program, the program has been largely devolved. In 2000-2001, 534 First Nations administered their own program (This figure does not include First Nations functioning under self-government arrangements).

DIAND has obtained related social assistance authorities for the Work Opportunity Program and the Indian Community Human Resources Strategies from Treasury Board allowing for the use of social assistance entitlements of participants in employment, education and training projects.

The need to reform DIAND's approach to on-reserve social assistance activities has been evident for some time. Both Gathering Strength and An Agenda for Action have identified the need to reform the current approach to social assistance programming and service delivery on-reserve as a priority.

The Income Security Reform (ISR) initiative has been undertaken by DIAND in partnership with First Nations. The overall objective of the ISR initiative was to transform the on-reserve welfare regime from one of passive support that encourages dependency to a system of integrated programming that promotes self-sufficiency. As a five-year initiative, the ISR demonstration projects came to an end on March 31, 2003.

For further information about the Social Assistance Program, please contact your regional office.

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