The GNWT recently made increases in two of its income security programs.

The Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit will improve support for seniors, while the NWT Child Benefit is better supporting families with children.

Senior citizens who are receiving the federal Guaranteed Income Supplement automatically receive the NWT Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit on the same cheque. Previously $160 per month, the benefit increased in September to $196 per month. The benefit supports approximately 1,200 seniors.

Through a joint initiative with the Department of Finance, NWT Child Benefit rates increased in July. More families are now able to access the benefit, as the family income threshold for eligibility was increased to $80,000. Approximately 2,200 families are benefiting from the changes.

"Over the past year, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment has been making significant changes to the way it provides support to residents under the various income security programs," stated Alfred Moses, the department's minister, in a Sept. 15 news release. "Through our mandate commitments to address the cost of living and community wellness and safety, our continued efforts have seen further improvements in the way we are supporting families with children and senior citizens."