WHEREAS Raise the Rates is a coalition of community groups and organizations concerned with the level of poverty and homelessness in British Columbia; AND WHEREAS although the poverty rate for people of all ages in BC fell slightly to 11.5 percent in 2010 from 12 percent in 2009, the province has had the worst poverty rate in Canada for 12 consecutive years and the worst child poverty rate in Canada for the past eight years; AND WHEREAS a 2011 report estimated the cost of poverty in BC at 8.1 - 9.2 billion a year wasted on health care, the justice system and in lost economic opportunities, with equally significant social costs: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM support the Raise the Rates Coalition in urging the provincial government to: - remove arbitrary barriers that prevent people in need from receiving provincial income assistance such as the 2-year independence test and 3-week work search; - end claw-backs that prevent people from supplementing their welfare with paid work and single parents receiving support from the absent parent up to the Market Basket Measure; and - increase provincial income assistance rates to the Market Basket Measure, the minimum monthly cost required for food, shelter and transportation.
Ministry of Social Development Social Innovation Income and disability assistance is intended to help eligible British Columbians temporarily while they look for work and to provide support for those who are not able to work due to a disability. Eligibility requirements such as the 2-year independence test and the work search are intended to ensure that individuals actively look for work and pursue self reliance prior to relying on income assistance. The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation Ministry recognizes that these requirements must be flexible enough to accommodate the unique needs of individuals receiving assistance. There are several exemptions in place to ensure that vulnerable individuals e.g., those fleeing abuse can receive immediate assistance. In October 2012, the Province introduced a 200 earnings exemption for all expected-to-work clients to give employable individuals a chance to build job skills and experience, take advantage of short-term or temporary work and better provide for their families while receiving assistance. The earnings exemption for Persons with Disabilities was also increased from 500 to 800 for a single individual and from 750 to 1,600 for a couple or family. Deducting family maintenance payments, which is consistent across Canada with the exception of Quebec and Albertas AISH program, ensures that individuals are accessing all other forms of income before relying on assistance. For individuals on assistance who are receiving monthly family maintenance payments, the Ministry may provide a top-up to ensure that an individuals total monthly income is equal to current assistance rates. Rates need to be sustainable and at a level that provides an incentive for employable clients to find and keep full-time jobs. The Province must also balance what is fair to individuals seeking assistance and what can be supported by the current fiscal plan. The current rate structure takes into account all provincial and federal tax credits, child benefits and other available programs and support for low-income families and families on income and disability assistance. All clients are eligible for health and other supplementary benefits to meet a variety of unexpected or additional needs and Persons with Disabilities clients receive significant additional health benefits, including dental and optical coverage and medical supplies and equipment. Although the Province is not in a financial position to consider a rate increase at this time, exploring innovative, low-cost ways to improve services to people receiving assistance continues. The new policies implemented in October 2012, have allowed people receiving assistance, especially families with children, to increase their monthly income. Government will continue to work with communities, stakeholders and individuals to explore other initiatives to improve the income and disability assistance system.