2021 R32 – Increase Disability Benefits and Income Assistance Rates

Whereas after many years of frozen income assistance rates and only minimal increases to disability benefits the current Provincial Government increased rates, for single people, by $150 between 2017 and 2019 but most people who receive disability benefits or income assistance continue to live well below the poverty line; 

And whereas the Provincial Government added a $300/month COVID benefit for those receiving disability and income assistance, which temporarily reduced people’s risk of losing their housing and increased their access to necessities including food and medical supplies, but as of January 2021 the benefit has been reduced to $150/month and there is no commitment to provide additional support past March 2021: 

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province of British Columbia to permanently reinstate the automatic, $300/month benefit for people receiving disability benefits and income assistance and move to raise disability and income assistance to a livable rate that is above the market basket measure (MBM).