Director of Financial Assistance Olga Scott said yesterday it was a myth that those helped by the programme are "layabouts''.

She told Hamilton Rotarians that recipients come from all walks of life and they were encouraged to take control of their lives and get a job.

She told the weekly Rotary meeting at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club: "It is my hope that this (speech) will dispel the myth that this system creates dependency, but rather that it strides to provide support to Bermudians during difficult times, yet enables them to re-establish self-sufficiency and financial independence.'' Mrs. Scott said the department's $14.5 million budget was administered through Department of Health and Family Services and closely monitored.

"At times there has been a perception that one must be a `layabout' when one is on assistance.

"Let me assure you that that is the exception rather than the rule and does not describe the average recipient.

"The department assists people from all walks of life: seasonally employed, hospitals, banks, Government and retail are just some of the examples of working individuals who from time to time have received assistance from this office.'' She continued: "The objectives of the Department are to stimulate each person in need, the ability to gain, re-gain or maintain a sense of self-respect and personal worth, to encourage the individual to use his skills and personal resources towards self-independence, and to provide supportive assistance to those incapable of achieving personal or economic independence.'' She said it was made clear to the unemployed that assistance is a temporary measure.

Social Assistance -- given to an average of 750 people a month -- can vary from $74 to $3,814 and is used to cover the shortfall to ensure individuals can afford basics such as food, utilities, rent, laundry, bus fares and prescription medicine.

It does not extend to covering debts and teens looking for assistance to move out of the parental home are usually refused and offered counselling instead.

The Department is planning to improve its service through increased use of computerisation.