Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities Operating Manual
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Section 177 - Services and Supports - Employment Supports - Goods and Services
Purpose
Employment Supports - Goods and Services are intended to provide the supports necessary to help an individual to maintain competitive employment. Goods and Services may be provided within the first 36 months after commencement of employment and are primarily intended for the maintenance of employment with the same employer as opposed to a career change or advancement with another employer.
Process
Employment Supports – Services are generally purchased from Employment and Training Centres as described in Section 133.
Employment Supports – Services may also be purchased from other sources where an Employment and Training Centre is unable to deliver the services within its normal geographical operating boundaries.
In some instances, Employment Supports – Services may be required beyond the maximum of 200 hours in a year or beyond 36 months for individuals with exceptional needs for maintaining employment. In these cases, the rationale for a special extension must be noted in the Vocational Counsellor comments section of the relevant funding request form.
When applying for Employment Supports – Services for an individual beyond the 36 month limit, the Vocational Counsellor must describe the "particular barriers" to maintaining employment and identify strategies strategies to address them. Strategies must include a description of the services required to increase the individual's independence. Priority will be given to those that require intense services. For example, a minimum of 25 hours a year up to a maximum of 200 hours per year. For more information on Employment Supports please see Section 133.5.
Employment Supports – Goods are generally described as assistive technology, building or vehicle modifications required to maintain the participant in their competitive employment.
Employment Supports – Goods may be provided within the first 12 months of employment. After 12 months, the provision of "goods" must meet the criteria for Vocational Crisis as described in Section 133.7.
Special GST Provisions:
The Financial Administration Manual states: "Under the Constitution Act of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and its agencies are exempt from paying the Goods and Services Tax (GST). In order to qualify for exempt status, departments and exempt agencies should ensure that the following statement is communicated to its suppliers with each purchasing arrangement.
When the Province of Manitoba issues a purchase order, receives the invoice, and pays the amount directly with its funds, the purchase is exempt from GST. Also, when the Province has an arrangement with a supplier (for example, a service contract), or a standing offer agreement, etc., and a purchase order has not been issued, the purchase can still be exempt from GST if:
- the supplier was provided the exemption statement at the time the agreement was reached;
- the invoice is sent to the Province; and
- the Province pays the supplier directly.
Please include the following 'Exemption Statement' as part of correspondence (letters confirming sponsorship). Ensure the GST Exempt Registration Number and the following are quoted:
"This is to certify that the property and/or services ordered/purchased hereby are for use of, and are being purchased by Manitoba Economic Development and Jobs – Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities with Crown funds and are therefore not subject to the Goods and Services Tax."
Standards
The following standards apply to Employment Supports - Goods and Services:
- When Employment Supports - Goods and/or Services are required the need is identified on the Individualized Vocational Plan (IVP) Form and if funding is required the appropriate funding request form is submitted and approved before goods and/or services are implemented.
- Requests for Employment Supports must have appropriate supporting rationale documented in the Vocational Counsellor comments section of the relevant funding request form.
- Requests for Employment Supports - Goods beyond the first year of employment must be justified under the same criteria as Vocational Crisis.
- Employment Supports - Services exceeding 200 hours in a year or beyond 36 months must be approved by the Program.
