Common Sense Changes Encourage Work, Protect Vulnerable Families

from the BC Provincial Website:
http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2012/06/common-sense-changes-encourage-work-protect-vulnerable-families.html


VANCOUVER - Premier Christy Clark today unveiled the first pillar of her Families First Agenda: Supporting Vulnerable Families. These changes and initiatives will help build a stronger foundation for B.C. families to help them become self-sufficient.

"A good-paying and secure job is one of the most important contributions to a healthy, happy and strong family," said Premier Clark. "Our government is making balanced changes to remove barriers to employment for people who want to return to the workforce while providing adequate support for those most in need. We believe all British Columbians want to be independent and self-sufficient, and we are working to make sure government programs are supporting opportunities to participate in our growing economy."

The changes, most of which will come into effect later this year, will help vulnerable families attain better financial outcomes, assist individuals with disabilities lead more independent lives and help people capable of work avoid the cycle of income-assistance dependence.

To improve financial outcomes for vulnerable families, changes include:

    Increasing the school startup supplement so that families now receive $100 for every child aged 5-11, and $175 for every child 12 and over.

    Providing access to dental services for children of families on hardship so parents can take their children in for regular dental checkups.

    Exempting income tax refunds so individuals and families on income assistance will be able to keep their full income tax refund.

To assist individuals with disabilities to lead more independent lives, changes include:

    Individuals receiving disability assistance will be able to earn up to $800 per month and still receive their full benefits.

    Providing the flexibility to calculate earnings on an annual basis, rather than monthly, so individuals with disabilities can maximize their earning during times when they are feeling healthy and able to work to an annual total yearly exemption of $9,600.

To help families avoid the cycle of income assistance dependency, changes include:

    Extending work search requirements for new applicants from three weeks to five weeks.

    Instituting a modest $200 monthly earnings exemption for all expected-to-work clients, regardless of family size, to give employable individuals a better opportunity to get job skills and experience, take advantage of short-term or temporary work, and better provide for their families while receiving assistance.

    Enhancing employment planning to support people transitioning off income assistance and returning to work.

"These changes strike a balance by providing the supports people need to get back into the workforce, while helping to improve financial outcomes for vulnerable individuals and families," said Premier Clark. "We know that every family wants to have the opportunity to grow, prosper and live in a safe community."

"These changes to some of the more straightforward policy items will immediately improve the income-assistance system," said Minister of Social Development Stephanie Cadieux. "We will continue to work with families, businesses, community members and others to bring together ideas, solutions and resources addressing the issues around income and disability assistance in B.C."

In addition to these changes to income and disability assistance, in April the Ministry of Social Development opened 85 centres in communities throughout the province to deliver the new Employment Program of B.C., which provides the supports and services to get unemployed British Columbians back into the workforce quickly.

Over the coming weeks, more ideas and actions will be put forward to support our commitment to supporting families in B.C. These family-first initiatives, part of the Families First Agenda, will help support vulnerable families and provide them with supports and tools that will help participate more fully in their communities.

Contacts:Sara MacIntyre
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
250 580-7701

David Haslam
Communications Manager
Ministry of Social Development
250 356-1670