Policy Target
Income security
EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGY
Government units and organizations develop strategies to prevent and address the consequences of income volatility associated with economic recessions, declines in stable contractual employment arrangements, increases in unemployment and underemployment rates, and decreases in cash assistance provided through welfare programs.
SAMPLE INDICATORS
- Number/percentage of existing programs and benefits that expand their target audiences, including population groups with need who were not previously targeted
- Availability of new supports and benefits for target groups with high, complex needs
- Access to income supports (e.g., among workers in precarious employment and working age people out of the labour force)
- Income security (e.g., among workers in precarious employment and working age people out of the labour force)
- Self-reported high/low variability of income
EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGY
Initiatives address people’s lack of access to sufficient and sustained income through education and job training opportunities, increase in cash welfare benefits, removal of minimum requirements for participation in welfare programs, and improved access to reliable, affordable financial services and products, including specialized loans with no or low fees.
SAMPLE INDICATORS
- Number/percentage of low-income people who enroll in free or low-cost education and training courses
- Trends in the highest level of education achieved by adults
- Availability of varied reliable, affordable financial services and products (e.g., to low-income people)
- Availability of cash assistance
- Perceived ability to provide for oneself and one’s family
- Perceived ability to cover basic needs and enjoy economic stability (e.g., among low-income individuals and families)
- Number/percentage of people who report having money left over after meeting basic needs