Experiences and relationship to work of long-term social assistance recipients
Grounded in a context where last-resort financial assistance policies are increasingly aimed at facilitating reintegration into the labour market, this qualitative study examines the experiences of long-term social assistance (SA) recipients in Quebec, as well as their relationship to work. Analyses of semi-structured interviews with 46 recipients and “ex-recipients” who have made a transition back to work highlight the many obstacles to reintegrating into the workforce. Recipients generally place a high value on work, based on its various psychological and financial benefits. These benefits influence the decision-making process of recipients with respect to both SA and the labour market. However, the sense of security provided by SA, combined with the administrative obstacles imposed when seeking to leave the SA system or to re-enter it when necessary, act as deterrents to getting off SA.