Manitoba's Ombudsman is recommending a slew of changes to improve the provincial welfare system and how clients are treated after finding that the rules of the system are sometimes unevenly applied, resulting in the possibility some people are getting more benefits than others.

In a report into her findings released on Wednesday, Irene Hamilton has recommended the Employment and Income Assistance Program make 68 separate changes to make the social-assistance system better.

"We have examined whether or not people are treated fairly by the program and concluded that because of regional differences, different interpretations of policy and different management styles, there exists the possibility that people in similar circumstances will be treated differently," she states in her report.

She also states that government welfare policies have not adapted to a more modern philosophy about welfare. Hamilton wants the government to investigate how often people receiving welfare have to use money meant for rent to pay for other things, like food.

The ministry of Family Services and Consumer Affairs runs Manitoba's social assistance program. Hamilton said about 300 people work in the department, province-wide.

'Room for improvement'

Hamilton said the department co-operated fully with her investigation, which began after members from 12 community organizations complained about the welfare system in August 2008. The investigation wrapped up six months ago.

Hamilton said in a statement that the review looked at the system's treatment of clients from across a range of backgrounds, including the disabled.

A key issue, she suggests, is how quickly the system responds to the needs of people who require help.

"We have concluded that there is room for improvement at the intake and application stage," she said, adding that there are "better ways" for the program to communicate with clients.

A few specific recommendations include:

• That no Manitoban be denied the opportunity to apply for benefits due to not having an address.
• Documenting the process by which welfare rates are set and making that information public.
• Eliminating the practice of welfare investigators making home visits to clients.
• Documenting complaints in a database and detailing what was done to resolve them.
• Developing a clear statement of the system's philosophy and aligning department policy to be consistent with that philosophy.

Family Services Minister Gord Mackintosh said Wednesday that the government will hike the amount welfare clients receive for shelter as of Jan. 1, with details about the hike to be revealed in the fall.

The government last raised the shelter rates in early 2008 after a 15-year-long freeze.

A link to Hamilton's complete report can be found at the top right of this story.