Seniors fail to receive monthly benefit
An undefined technical problem is hitting Yukon seniors hard – with no firm deadline from the territorial government as to when it will be fixed.
An undefined technical problem is hitting Yukon seniors hard – with no firm deadline from the territorial government as to when it will be fixed.
Late Friday afternoon, the government released a terse statement indicating the “Yukon Senior Income Supplement (YSIS) payments are delayed due to technical issues.
“The Government of Yukon is working to address these issues as soon as possible,” it said.
The payments are usually issued on the 15th of the month. That made the announcement an unwelcome surprise to many people – especially when there was no advance notice to recipients.
The release offered few details on the nature of the problem – or its scope, or an adjusted time the payments will be issued.
“The Government of Yukon apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused. A new internal payment delivery system is currently being developed to avoid delays in the future,” the statement said.
“Yukoners that have been impacted by the delay and have questions can call 867-667-8772.”
Yukon residents must be 65 years old and receive Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) from the federal government to be eligible for the YSIS.
“It is also paid to spouses between 60 and 64 years of age who receive the Spouses Allowance or the Survivors Allowance.”
NDP Leader Kate White told the Star this morning she is concerned about the situation.
She said she’s already hearing from seniors who are worried about the postponed payments, and who say their missing money will be a severe challenge for them to handle. It’s a sudden cash crunch they simply can’t afford, White added.
Some seniors have been told their payments may not be possible to provide at all this month.
White said the fact the government issued a news release with such scanty details to it indicates it’s a severe problem.
The release was also hampered by a technical glitch that did not allow people to access it initially.
White said she had tried to read it after it was issued late Friday afternoon – but couldn’t open the attachment.
At least one person on social media said the same thing on the government’s Facebook page.
The payment is made on a sliding scale, White added. Some people might be only missing $200, she said, while others could be hit much harder.
“I hope it doesn’t take a month to figure it out,” White said.
Tim Kucharuk, the press secretary for the Yukon Party, said, “We hope that the technical issues are resolved in a timely manner, as this delay will have a financial impact on seniors.
“Budgets are usually tight with seniors who are on a fixed income, and the Yukon Liberal government’s inaction on inflation has made those budgets even tighter.
“The Yukon Party official Opposition has suggested doubling the amount of the Pioneer Utility Grant, and increasing the amount claimed through the Home Owners Grant, in addition to suspending collection of the territorial fuel tax.
“These moves, in addition to calling on the federal government to cease the increases to the carbon tax, would have eased budget concerns for seniors.”
Comments (36)
Up 0 Down 2
John on Jul 24, 2022 at 12:18 pm
@ Nathan Living
...and pray tell Nathan which benefits to you and your family take advantage of?
Up 3 Down 4
Nathan Living on Jul 23, 2022 at 9:12 pm
Seniors, especially Yukon seniors get so, so so many benefits.
When splitting income with a spouse, many pay almost no income tax. and there is about $1100 per year from the Public Utilities Grant.
And the younger crowd with young families, generous daycare is virtually free and of course free medical coverage and now dental.
The problem is that there are continual deficits to pay for all this. It's shameful really that its seems alright to spend money we do not have. And free programs usually mean more toys because people can then afford them.
Up 4 Down 0
motive unclear on Jul 22, 2022 at 10:52 am
All these additional taxes and reduced benefits are for better weather! Don't lose heart! Don't despair!
"And what do they ask in return for their hard work of climate evangelism? Well, not much more than their 6 figures usually along with some essential perks along the way! What a deal! I say again…what a deal!"
https://skulltripper.com/2022/07/22/in-defense-of-hypocrisy/
Up 7 Down 3
drum on Jul 21, 2022 at 6:34 pm
If Trudeau and his cronies did not get their pay cheques every two weeks it would be fixed immediately. How many years has it taken to fix the Phoenix pay system? It is still not right. Civil Servants were expected to work for years not being payed properly. The government only thinks about themselves. Fix it for these folks now!!!!!!!!!!!
Up 14 Down 4
Groucho d'North on Jul 21, 2022 at 4:19 pm
@Realistic
No I don't know how long it would take for these people to do their jobs if and when their (our) technology fails. I can promise you if it was the payroll for the MLAs or senior management, provisions would be expedited.
Up 11 Down 1
Anie on Jul 21, 2022 at 4:03 pm
To "let's be realistic " those cheques are issued to only the very poorest of seniors. There aren't very many. It would not have taken very long to issue them manually.
Up 11 Down 1
John on Jul 21, 2022 at 1:23 pm
@ Let's be realistic
No cheque is actually issued manually. However they are issued in batches. A special run can occur when required and I am sure my good friend Groucho was referring to that method. It is sometimes referred to as issuing manual cheques, as it is out of the ordinary. Besides - I frankly don't give a damn! It is about doing the right thing and not hiding behind bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo. - oh it is too much work. One is measured on how you treat your clients/customers/patrons etc. after a internal failure. You still have responsibility to follow through, especially when you know damn well that some are relying on your service.
Up 2 Down 9
Let's Be Realistic on Jul 21, 2022 at 10:24 am
Groucho d'North, do you know how long it would take to manually issue cheques for every YSIS recipient?
Up 15 Down 1
John on Jul 20, 2022 at 10:39 pm
I have sat back and read all the responses. Only one comes close to the nut of the issue - Groucho d'North's comment on the 20th.
There are two significant issues at play. The first is the damage done to the recipients that rely on these payments. The second, which is not that it happened - but rather how it was responded to by the government.
My focus is on the latter. The verbal responses last Friday was cold and callous. However the follow-up I take real umbrage with. There was none. Simply put those staff needed to make this right should have been working the whole weekend to get things in order to pass to Finance for immediate payment action. There is no excuse for this lapse in judgment on the part of the department and the minister (who of course is none-other than the notorious McPhee). Whoever developed the communication strategy should be fired. It was and is deplorable. A hot-line should have been set up for seniors to call into. Options for receiving these funds should have been provided - everything from bank deposits, manual cheques to even cash. The last two options if needed by the senior could even be hand delivered. Instead we get this wishy-washy response is we are working on it and it may take time. This is really an unacceptable response. It shows a poor lack of care and responsibility. In fact it shameful that we would treat our parents - grandparents - elders in this manner.
Both the Minister and the Premier need give their heads a shake. Frankly given McPhee track record her resignation would be the very least that should be offered.
Up 11 Down 2
North_of_60 on Jul 20, 2022 at 8:27 pm
Ugly ageism blaming in that headline WHS by starting with "Seniors fail". No the seniors didn't fail the LIBgov failed. To be honest Tim, this is the headline that should have shown:
"LIBgov fails to pay Seniors monthly benefit"
Up 13 Down 2
Groucho d'North on Jul 20, 2022 at 8:51 am
So did the finance people in government forget how to manually issue a cheque? Seems like a simple thing and with the recent technology failures we have experienced perhaps these institutions people rely on should have some Plan B options to deliver their critical services.
Up 8 Down 11
Glitches Happen on Jul 19, 2022 at 4:53 pm
MITCH,
I don't care about my pay "glitch" either, and so whether or not others care doesn't bother me in the slightest.
The point I was trying to make is that the "glitch" wasn't an event isolated to the senior population. It happens to everyone. This shatters "Just Sayin's argument that government workers "never" have glitches in their payments.
The government has been providing this free benefit to seniors for years, and this is the first time I've heard of a "glitch" in YSIS payments.
Up 16 Down 8
MITCH on Jul 19, 2022 at 4:01 pm
@ GLITCHES HAPPEN - Literally no one cares if glitches happen to you, as you work for the biggest glitch on this continent.
Up 11 Down 16
Yukoner64 on Jul 19, 2022 at 3:33 pm
Ha ha ha does Tim Kucharuk and his Yukon Party masters really expect the Yukon Government to combat global inflation? This just shows that they have absolutely no understanding of how outside forces affect things in our little jurisdiction. Perhaps the Yukon Party should employ someone with a basic understanding of these economic forces.
Up 9 Down 9
SH on Jul 19, 2022 at 3:24 pm
No need to grumble. The government has been providing this free benefit to seniors for years, and this is the first time I've heard of a "glitch" in the system. Those impacted should respond with graciousness and give the government time to correct it's error.
Up 11 Down 3
Live from the Idiocracy! on Jul 19, 2022 at 12:24 pm
Yup, agreed! Josey Wales on Jul 19, 2022 at 11:02 am:
Even a blind dog finds a bone now and then!
Up 7 Down 22
Glitches Happen on Jul 19, 2022 at 11:46 am
Just Sayin',
I'm a government worker, and my payment has "glitched" in the past. Glitches happen to everyone.
Up 24 Down 8
Nice society you got there on Jul 19, 2022 at 11:04 am
And in the title we have the problem of Liberal Language… The seniors did not fail to receive their monthly payment. Nice blame-shifting… Interesting how the state rag framed this, NOT, as a failure of the Government’s fiduciary obligations, but as failure of some of our most vulnerable members of our society - Victim blaming - NICE!
Way too much victim blaming going on in this supposed Liberal Democracy!
Up 13 Down 8
Josey Wales on Jul 19, 2022 at 11:02 am
Hey y’all, today in politicos first round of participation on this topic...
Dead ass simple & 100% logic that will/should stand any argument.
Today, this yet another screw up...OJW is with politico.
...please y’all, carry on.
Up 15 Down 6
Live from the Idiocracy! on Jul 19, 2022 at 10:14 am
Things of this nature will become increasingly more common as we continue to dumb-down the labour market, and society more generally. This will be exacerbated in the press of so-called technological advances which are simply just algorithms and apps meant to control an automated society like rats in a maze searching for that feeder bar.
There will be a smorgasbord of menu options at the feeder bar such as; Fear steak served with pawns and political mobsters, panic salad with cannabis sprinkles and modern-a spike proteins.
Desserts can include; safety cobbler and vanilla like frozen substance with cockroach sprinkles (may contain nuts/and, or Liberal politicos), or the classic, liberal obedience lemon-loaf - This dessert is best consumed by sucking to mimic the spirit of its meaning - Liberal politics will suck the life out of everyone while leaving a bitter, sour taste in your mouth…
And you will wash this all down with a state approved beverage such as: Dictator Swill - A coarse liqueur like fluid with hints of the blood-money fruit, infused with frontal lobe disinhibitors, and traces of emotional dysregulator proteins. There is a mandatory, Apres Dinner mint - This mint too is meant to be sucked slowly - It releases cortisol
suppressants which allow one to sleep deeply. It works to counteract the activating effects of the Fear State Porn because we need you fresh for the Liberal Ideology Enhancement protocols - Also known as the LIE Protocols - To continue the fight against logic and reason everywhere - We need you to spread the LIE everywhere…
Up 7 Down 18
YT on Jul 19, 2022 at 9:45 am
Vote for the Yukon Party!
They'll give you free money!
The YP keeps going on about inflation and high gas prices hurting Yukoners, but last time I was at Kusawa lake, the campground was filled with big rigs, people on ATV's and everyone had a big boat out on the lake.
Up 9 Down 17
Willy on Jul 19, 2022 at 7:44 am
My free money is late!!!! Where’s my free money!!!!
Seriously folks, this isn’t something you’ve paid into all your life like CPP, this is an entitlement. It’s only late because of a glitch in the system, it’s not some sort of evil Liberal plot.
Good grief, you’ll get your money, don’t panic.
Up 6 Down 7
motive unclear on Jul 19, 2022 at 5:36 am
https://www.debt.ca/debt-clock made all the more "interesting" by useless lockdowns, mandates and punishing prices at the pumps and stores, and lately huge hikes in the interest rates we all get to pay on the national debt as well as business and personal loans and mortgages..
Time for a glitch or two here and there but no need to fear. "the economy will take care of itself" someone said.
Btw anyone else getting their GST refund late or skipped completely ?
Up 21 Down 4
CJ2 on Jul 18, 2022 at 10:18 pm
Sometimes this government really seems to have a hard time with the nuts and bolts of operations. What a cavalier way to handle delayed payments to low-income seniors, though. "By the way, you might not get the payment at all this month".
I hope they're not switching to Phoenix.
Up 14 Down 4
Juniper Jackson on Jul 18, 2022 at 10:15 pm
I don’t know enough about programming and technology to comment on that part of it. Just saying I hope everyone will be ok..those of us who do not get GIS or Yukon topup still know what is like to live to the penny.
As others have said, YTG can cut you a cheque.
Up 7 Down 7
bonanzajoe on Jul 18, 2022 at 8:57 pm
@comen sense on Jul 18, 2022. I just sent in his vote.
Up 14 Down 9
bonanzajoe on Jul 18, 2022 at 8:56 pm
@BnR on Jul 18, 2022. "Live by the sword, die by the sword." How did you miss that in Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto? Read the history of Communism every country adopted since the Russians first introduced it to the world in 1917. Over a 150 million people died in that terrible system since. Stalin himself murdered over 35 million of his own people (that's factual). Not one person was murdered to set up a democratic and Capitalist system. Read your history and do your homework before you criticize the system that gave freedom and democracy to the free world.
Up 15 Down 6
bonanzajoe on Jul 18, 2022 at 8:49 pm
@BnR on Jul 18. You're a true Marxist. You say, "This is capitalism in action, y'know, the system Conservatives just love to death." Get your facts straight, capitalism is the system you Marxist Communists love to kill. And capitalism is what gave you everything you got today. Accept for the young people, I could almost wish you leftys did live under total communism, just to teach you all a good lesson. But I have too much empathy for the younger generation and just couldn't wish such a horrible system upon them.
Up 18 Down 7
bonanzajoe on Jul 18, 2022 at 8:42 pm
"NDP Leader Kate White told the Star this morning she is concerned about the situation." Why is she concerned? She promised to prop them up for the next two years at least.
Up 15 Down 7
Maybe better on Jul 18, 2022 at 8:02 pm
The Yukon government should focus on the wellbeing of Yukon citizens and ensure we are financially secure despite the present issues, rather than contribute money to other countries and immigrants coming to Yukon.
Up 22 Down 1
Richard Blindheim on Jul 18, 2022 at 6:03 pm
It seems that the Yukon Government or any government, has no concern for senior citizens. We live on poverty income and have no way to keep up with ongoing inflation. I have never received replies to any texts or emails that I have sent regarding this topic. The frustration is building.
Up 15 Down 10
Matthew on Jul 18, 2022 at 5:03 pm
Did anyone actually think that their pension would be there when they retire!? LOL! Best thing to do is rely on yourself and NOT the Government!
Up 47 Down 36
comen sense on Jul 18, 2022 at 4:11 pm
Phoenix pay system / ( YISI ) payment now the misfit's Liberals want to manage a carbon tax refund. We can't elect Pierre Poilievre fast enough.
Up 19 Down 54
BnR on Jul 18, 2022 at 3:59 pm
“Budgets are usually tight with seniors who are on a fixed income, and the Yukon Liberal government’s inaction on inflation has made those budgets even tighter."
Ok Tim, besides just giving money away, which always seems to be the YP go-to, what can the Territorial Government do to combat inflation?
The Carbon tax is like 11 cents per litre, which is essentially nothing.
This is capitalism in action, y'know, the system Conservatives just love to death. Corporations making huge profits.
Live by the sword, die by the sword.
Up 67 Down 5
Politico on Jul 18, 2022 at 3:12 pm
Why doesn't the government just advance them the money they usually get and then reimburse the government coffers when the problem is cleared up. No reasons to deny seniors money through no fault of theirs.
Up 60 Down 9
Just Sayin' on Jul 18, 2022 at 2:58 pm
Seniors get effed again. Shame YG. Shame. Bet you there is never a glitch in their payments.