Problem
Hallie, age 26, lives in Vernon, BC and is a single mother. She has two children - ages 2 and 7. She has a grade 12 education. Her past employment includes cashier and picking fruit seasonally. Hallie's aunt recently passed away and Hallie received an inheritance of $18,000 from her aunt. On the advice of a friend, Hallie immediately placed a portion of the funds - $10,000 - in a RESP for her children and put the rest -$8,000 - in her bank account. Hallie has no social support from family now that her aunt passed away. Her aunt used to help her with childcare for a low fee while Hallie worked. Hallie's parents separated when she was 3 years old and her father moved to another province and had another family. Her mother has struggled with substance use issues intermittently throughout Hallie's life; during Hallie's childhood, her aunt often had to take her in and became her primary support.
One month ago Hallie started receiving Income Assistance as she could no longer work with no access to childcare. Hallie also receives $400 per month in child maintenance from the father of her first child.
Answer the following questions in detail:
1) Provide a critique of the income security program i.e Canada Child Benefit available to Hallie and her children.
2) Provide some recommendations/changes to the income security program for this case study.