Whereas the income assistance rates set by the provincial government of BC are well below the federal government measurements of low income in Canada; And whereas the BC income assistance rates have not been increased since 2007: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the provincial government to increase income assistance rates in BC by 2017.
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation Government is focused on strengthening the economy and growing jobs to reduce low income and poverty while also providing the best system of supports for those who are unable to work due to a disability or temporary medical condition. BC provides some of the most comprehensive supports for low-income individuals and their families in Canada. These include subsidized housing, child care subsidies, free dental and optical care for children, free MSP, child and seniors benefits, and a wide range of employment programs. People on income assistance also receive additional income from federal and provincial tax benefits, which can add from 30 to over 1,000 per month to their monthly income, depending on family size. The provincial governments income assistance rate structure takes into account all provincial and federal tax credits, child benefits, and other available programs and supports for low-income individuals and families on disability assistance. When setting assistance rates, the provincial government is obligated to take a balanced approach between what is fair to individuals who require assistance and what taxpayers can support. In the longer term, government would like to be able to raise the rates, as the fiscal situation allows. Initiatives the provincial government has implemented in the last two years to improve the lives of British Columbians who rely on assistance include: - In September 2016, government increased disability assistance by 25 a month, and provided a 52 monthly transportation support allowance to approximately 100,000 people. - In December 2015, the ministry made significant changes to income and asset policy to remove financial barriers for people receiving disability assistance. Changes include: o Increasing the asset limit from 5,000 to 100,000 for families with one Person with Disabilities o Increasing the asset limit from 10,000 to 200,000 for families with two Persons with Disabilities o Allowing people on disability assistance to receive regular cash gifts with no effect on their eligibility for assistance o Exempting inheritances, trust payments, and some types of student funding - In September 2015, the government introduced the Single Parent Employment Initiative. This initiative helped eligible single parents receiving income and disability assistance to secure sustainable employment. Single parents may be eligible for up to 12 months of training for in-demand jobs or a paid work experience placement and childcare costs covered while participating in the program and throughout the first year of employment. Along with the Single Parent Employment Initiative, the Ministry also introduced other changes for families with children: o New and increased earnings exemptions: - All families with children now have a 400 per month earnings exemption, increased from 200. - Families who care for a child with a severe disability now have a 500 earnings exemption increased from 300 and no longer limited to single parents. o 12 months of Transitional Health Services coverage for families with children who leave assistance for employment. - Also in September 2015, the Ministry fully exempted child support payments for families receiving income and disability assistance. This policy change will provide an additional 32 million over the next three years for 3,200 families and 5,400 children.