Fanny contacted our office with a complaint that the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR) had denied their request for a
moving supplement to cover the cost of storing their belongings. Fanny told us it was unfair because the ministry had previously indicated that it would pay for the storage of their belongings while they were hospitalized. Fanny explained that when they were released from the hospital, they found out the storage had not been paid for and without approximately $1,900 to pay the bill for storage, their belongings would be auctioned off within days.

The focus of our investigation was whether the ministry acted fairly when it considered Fanny’s request for a moving supplement. We spoke with a manager about Fanny’s situation who agreed to review Fanny’s file. Upon review, the manager assessed Fanny as being eligible for storage costs as they were related to a move they had made earlier in the year. As a result, ministry paid the outstanding $1,900 bill to the storage provider and Fanny’s belongings were returned.

With the fairness issue resolved, we ceased our investigation.