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Difference between revisions of "Introduction to Welfare (21:I)"
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Introduction to Welfare (21:I) (view source)
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{{REVIEWED LSLAP | date= | {{REVIEWED LSLAP | date= August 1st, 2023}} | ||
{{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = welfare}} | {{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = welfare}} | ||
This chapter gives a general overview of a very complex area of law governed by lengthy and detailed legislation. Users should not read it on its own. Users of this chapter should be sure to refer to the applicable welfare legislation in each case. | This chapter gives a general overview of a very complex area of law governed by lengthy and detailed legislation. Users should not read it on its own. Users of this chapter should be sure to refer to the applicable welfare legislation in each case. | ||
This chapter only deals with | This chapter only deals with BC welfare law. If one is applying to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) for disability (or other) benefits, they should refer to the following link: | ||
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-disability-benefit/eligibility.html. | https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-disability-benefit/eligibility.html. | ||
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Under the current welfare legislation in BC, the following types of welfare benefits are available to those who qualify: | Under the current welfare legislation in BC, the following types of welfare benefits are available to those who qualify: | ||
=== 1. Income Assistance === | |||
This basic monthly support and shelter allowance is provided under the Employment and Assistance Act [[https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/bc-laws/bc-employment-and-assistance-act-263-2002 EAA]]. This is the benefit most people get when they receive welfare. | This basic monthly support and shelter allowance is provided under the ''Employment and Assistance Act'' [''[https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/bc-laws/bc-employment-and-assistance-act-263-2002 EAA]'']. This is the benefit most people get when they receive welfare. | ||
On income assistance, a single person under age 65 currently can receive up to '''$ | On income assistance, a single person under age 65 currently can receive up to '''$1060 per month''', consisting of '''$560.00 per month for support, plus a minimum of $75 and up to a maximum of $500 for shelter costs'''. This total amount is to cover housing, utilities, food, transportation, clothing, and all other basic necessities. | ||
The amounts available to one receiving income assistance will depend on one’s family size. Income assistance rates based on family size can be found here: | The amounts available to one receiving income assistance will depend on one’s family size. Income assistance rates based on family size can be found here: | ||
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Recipients of income assistance also receive PharmaCare prescription coverage with no deductible through what is called Plan C. | Recipients of income assistance also receive PharmaCare prescription coverage with no deductible through what is called Plan C. | ||
=== 2. Disability Assistance (For Persons with Disability Designation - PWD) === | |||
This is a slightly higher, but still modest, monthly support and shelter allowance provided under the ''Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act'' [''[https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/bc-laws/employment-and-assistance-for-persons-with-disabilities-act EAPWDA]''] to those who meet the definition of “person with disabilities” in [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/bc-laws/employment-and-assistance-for-persons-with-disabilities-act#section2 s 2] of that Act. To determine if one is eligible for PWD designation, please refer to '''[[Welfare Eligibility (21:III)|Section III. M. Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Designation]]''' | |||
On disability assistance, a single person under age 65 can receive up to $1483.50 per month, consisting of '''$983.50 per month''' for support, plus a minimum of $75 and up to a maximum of $500 for shelter costs. This total amount is to cover housing, utilities, food, clothing, and all other basic necessities. | |||
On disability assistance, a single person under age 65 can receive up to $ | |||
The amounts available to one receiving disability assistance will depend on one’s family size. Disability assistance rates based on family size can be found here: | The amounts available to one receiving disability assistance will depend on one’s family size. Disability assistance rates based on family size can be found here: | ||
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A person with the PWD designation who receives disability assistance can obtain a bus pass or $52 per month more if the person chooses not to have a bus pass. (https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/passenger-travel/buses-taxis-limos/bus-pass/people-with-disabilities) | A person with the PWD designation who receives disability assistance can obtain a bus pass or $52 per month more if the person chooses not to have a bus pass. (https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/passenger-travel/buses-taxis-limos/bus-pass/people-with-disabilities) | ||
An outline of other possible benefits available to those with the PWD designation | An outline of other possible benefits available to those with the PWD designation can be found in [[Welfare_and_Health_Supplements_(21:X)|Section X: Health Supplements]], or one can refer to: https://disabilityalliancebc.org/hs3./. | ||
=== 3. Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers (PPMB) Assistance === | |||
This is a slightly higher income assistance rate for people with “persistent multiple barriers” to employment for those who meet the PPMB definition set out in [https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/263_2002#section2 s 2] of the ''Employment and Assistance Regulation'' [[https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/263_2002 EAR]]. It is for people with a medical condition that makes it difficult or impossible to look for work or to keep a job. Technically, it falls within the definition of “income assistance” but this chapter will refer to it as a distinct form of welfare benefits. | This is a slightly higher income assistance rate for people with “persistent multiple barriers” to employment for those who meet the PPMB definition set out in [https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/263_2002#section2 s 2] of the ''Employment and Assistance Regulation'' [[https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/263_2002 EAR]]. It is for people with a medical condition that makes it difficult or impossible to look for work or to keep a job. Technically, it falls within the definition of “income assistance” but this chapter will refer to it as a distinct form of welfare benefits. | ||
On PPMB assistance, a single person under age 65 currently can receive up to '''$ | On PPMB assistance, a single person under age 65 currently can receive up to '''$1110.00 per month, consisting of $610.00 per month for support, plus a minimum of $75 and up to a maximum of $500 for shelter costs'''. This total amount is to cover housing, utilities, food, transportation, clothing, and all other basic necessities. | ||
The amounts available to one receiving PPMB assistance will depend on one’s family size. PPMB assistance rates based on family size can be found at the link below, in column B of the table: | The amounts available to one receiving PPMB assistance will depend on one’s family size. PPMB assistance rates based on family size can be found at the link below, in column B of the table: | ||
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/bc-employment-and-assistance-rate-tables/income-assistance-rate-table | https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/bc-employment-and-assistance-rate-tables/income-assistance-rate-table | ||
=== 4. Hardship Assistance === | |||
This is a support and shelter allowance provided under [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/bc-laws/bc-employment-and-assistance-act-263-2002#section5 s 5 of the EAA] and [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/bc-laws/employment-and-assistance-for-persons-with-disabilities-act#section6 s 6 of the EAPWDA] to persons who are not otherwise eligible for income assistance, PPMB, or disability assistance (see also [https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/263_2002#part4 part 4 of the EAR] and [https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/265_2002#part4 part 4 of the EAPWDR]). Some (but not all) categories of hardship assistance are repayable, i.e. a person receiving hardship assistance may accrue a debt owing to the government. It is usually temporary assistance. People with the PPMB or PWD designation may also receive hardship assistance, if they are not otherwise eligible for PPMB or PWD benefits. Therefore, there are different rates of hardship assistance | This is a support and shelter allowance provided under [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/bc-laws/bc-employment-and-assistance-act-263-2002#section5 s 5 of the EAA] and [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/bc-laws/employment-and-assistance-for-persons-with-disabilities-act#section6 s 6 of the EAPWDA] to persons who are not otherwise eligible for income assistance, PPMB, or disability assistance (see also [https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/263_2002#part4 part 4 of the EAR] and [https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/265_2002#part4 part 4 of the EAPWDR]). Some (but not all) categories of hardship assistance are repayable, i.e. a person receiving hardship assistance may accrue a debt owing to the government. It is usually temporary assistance. People with the PPMB or PWD designation may also receive hardship assistance, if they are not otherwise eligible for PPMB or PWD benefits. Therefore, there are different rates of hardship assistance | ||
On regular (income assistance) hardship assistance, a single person under age 65 currently receives a maximum of '''$ | On regular (income assistance) hardship assistance, a single person under age 65 currently receives a maximum of '''$1060 per month''' to cover housing, utilities, food, transportation, clothing, and all other basic necessities. | ||
On PPMB hardship assistance, a single person under age 65 currently receives '''$1110 per month''' to cover housing, utilities, food, transportation, clothing, and all other basic necessities. | |||
''' | On disability hardship assistance, a single person under age 65 currently receives '''$ 1,483.50 per month''' to cover housing, utilities, food, clothing, and all other basic necessities (plus a bus pass, or $52 per month more if the person chooses not to have a bus pass – see [[Welfare_Rates_and_Payment_Issues_(21:VIII)#B. Persons with Disabilities Transportation Supplement|Section VIII: Rates and Payment Issues. B: Persons with Disabilities Transportation Supplement]] | ||
=== 5. Health Supplements === | |||
Recipients of income assistance, PPMB, and disability assistance may qualify for various health supplements from the Ministry. [https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/263_2002#division_d2e10033 See Part 5, Division 5 of the EAR], and [https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/265_2002#division_d2e8911 Part 5, Division 4 of the EAPWDR]. | |||
=== 6. Supplements === | |||
The ministry may provide these other forms of assistance on a case-by-case basis for specific purposes set out under the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/bc-laws/bc-employment-and-assistance-act-263-2002 EAA] and [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/bc-laws/employment-and-assistance-for-persons-with-disabilities-act EAPWDA] and their associated regulations. See especially | The ministry may provide these other forms of assistance on a case-by-case basis for specific purposes set out under the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/bc-laws/bc-employment-and-assistance-act-263-2002 EAA] and [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/bc-laws/employment-and-assistance-for-persons-with-disabilities-act EAPWDA] and their associated regulations. See especially, [https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/265_2002#part5 Part 5 of the EAPWDR] and the Ministry website (http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/income-assistance/on-assistance/supplements). | ||
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