Financial Assistance Amendment Act

What this bill does

This bill changes the rules for people who receive financial assistance (welfare) from the government. It requires disabled people to provide medical proof of their disability when applying, and requires able-bodied people to create a 3-year job training plan with government departments.

If passed (voted YES)

• New disabled applicants must submit a doctor's report proving their disability affects their ability to work
• All able-bodied people receiving financial assistance must sign up for a "personal employment plan" - a 3-year agreement to develop job skills with the Department of Workforce Development
• Recipients may be required to register for job training programs, assessments, and life-skills courses as conditions of receiving assistance

If rejected (voted NO)

• The current system stays the same - no medical documentation requirements for disabled applicants
• No mandatory job training plans for able-bodied recipients
• Current conditions and requirements for financial assistance remain unchanged

Who it affects

This primarily affects people who currently receive or will apply for government financial assistance in Bermuda, especially disabled persons applying for the first time and able-bodied recipients who will need to commit to job training programs.