Disability assistance rate hike branded a ‘pittance’

The extra money is welcome, but it simply isn’t enough.

That’s what people with disabilities and their advocates are saying about Friday’s announcement by the B.C. government that it will increase disability assistance rates by $199 million over three years.

It means that by April 1, rates will rise by $50 a month, or an annual total of $600.

“I’m pleased there’s been a much needed increase, but we’re disappointed that it’s not larger,” said Jane Dyson, executive director of Disability Alliance B.C.

“We’ve been asking the province to increase the rates to $1,200 a month by the fall of 2017, to link (the payments) to inflation, and to develop a panel to have ongoing discussions about income supports.”

Jason Anson, a 48-year-old Surrey resident with cerebral palsy, agrees the increase isn’t enough.

“It’s a pittance, really. The rents are so high and living costs are through the roof in Vancouver. It’s something, but it’s not much.”

The ministry of social development and social innovation said that when the increase takes effect, a single person with a disability will receive $1,033 per month, up from $983.

But NDP critic Michelle Mungall said the money falls short.

“What they’re doing is finally admitting that they took away money from people with disabilities for their bus pass, and essentially they are giving that money back,” said Mungall.

In last year’s provincial budget, long-frozen disability rates were upped by $77 a month — but the government took away $52 bus passes and $66 transportation subsidies, while removing a $45 annual fee attached to the bus passes.

Social Development and Social Innovation Minister Michelle Stilwell maintained the bus pass hadn’t been taken away, instead saying it had been “redistributed in a different way.”

Stilwell said people with disabilities also receive such benefits as subsidized housing, free Pharmacare and child care subsidies.

It’s estimated that more than 100,000 British Columbia residents rely on provincial disability payments for rent, food, transportation and other essentials.