Introduction
Canadian social welfare covers a lot of political and economical issues centralized in modern society. A number of social programs are created in order to understand the real grounds of Canadian welfare. It is important to stress that some programs are merely based on the identification of the true needs of the society in order to meet their requirements and provide the general welfare of the state. Steven Hick, the author of the work devoted to social welfare in Canada, stated that the social inclusion perspective contributes to social movement beyond material recourses and income with the purpose of regarding other items affecting human development and welfare.
With the development of social safety in Canada, the number of social organizations has rapidly increased. They were aimed at distinguishing social mentality and material dependence. The centralization of income security is considered to be the background for the community well being with the purpose of building social inclusion and solidarity. The modern market never provides an adequate and stable source of income for the population.
Main body
Income security is considered to be a Canadian Social Work companion focusing on different dominating social services of the welfare system of Canada. Social income programs functioning in Canada provide the background for the social well-being of different social classes and positions. Hick managed to introduce the basic programs in his book one of which is considered to be devoted to the beneficial side of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). This program allows receiving the necessary pension from Public Pensions of Canada. People are provided with appropriate financial support; this program is provided for children and disabled people who do not have the physical abilities to work and earn money. Income security programs promote and deliver pensions through CPP and Old Age Security.
Social security agreements produced for CPP are aimed at helping people to qualify for their benefits. The conditions of the CPP program are very convenient not only for Canadians but also for representatives of other countries. It should be stated that CPP credits are usually divided by former business partners or separated couples. Pension credits are provided in order to establish eligibility for the benefits of the CPP and for the purpose of the benefits calculation. The benefits of the CPP program cover the following aspects:
- Children Monthly Benefit. It is used for children the age of 18-25, for those who are under 18 or attend the university at full-time conditions.
- Monthly Survivor’s Benefits. This type of CPP benefit is used for common-law partners or eligible spouses; it is used even in case of remarriage.
- Lump-Sum Death Benefit. This benefit is merely used for the contributor’s estate. In case of the estate or will absence, it is payable to that person who bears responsibility for the survivor or funeral costs.
People who managed to contribute to the CPP have a chance to get the particular benefits monthly. It is about 25% of the person’s earnings paid regularly. The terms of the CPP are considered to be beneficial and providing welfare for society. The CPP program is considered to be the guaranteed welfare of Canadian society. People who started to get the pension of CPP are able to work or not without any further contributions to the program. The CPP qualifications take place in case a person made at least one payment or contribution which can be considered as a valid one.
The start of the payment cannot be automatically fulfilled; the terms of the CPP disclose the fact that any person is to apply for it. This program allows people who have no good physical state for working to receive financial support for living. The CPP is aimed not only on the welfare of those people who worked in Canada but is also spread among the Canadians who worked in different countries but made contributions to the CPP. People, who receive a pension from CPP:
- Have the age of 65;
- People of 60-65; in this case, all the earning requirements which are set within the legislation are to be met.
As it was showed by Hick CPP together with the programs for families and workers welfare are considered to be decisive in the modern social development of the country.
Conclusion
Steven Hick focused on the approval of the fact that social welfare can be supported by income security programs. He managed to describe the basic positions of such programs directed at the welfare of children, youth, retired people, and the physically disabled. Thus, it should be noted that almost all people of Canada get their income from CPP. This program is not the unique one. There are a lot of socially assisting programs and associations providing welfare for the Canadian population. The analysis of the income security programs showed our gradual movement to the things being beyond material values bur forming our welfare and financial stability.
References
Hick, Steven. Social welfare in Canada, Understanding Income Security. 2004.