Premier John Horgan announced Thursday that the NDP government will be increasing income and disability assistance by $100 a month.
During his campaign, Horgan promised to raise income and disability rates.
According to Horgan, the increases need 60 days to take effect. Individuals on income assistance and disability will see the increase on the Sept. 27, 2017 cheque. The new monthly rates will be $1,133 for a person receiving disability assistance and $710 for a person on income assistance.
“Lifting families out of poverty starts with raising income assistance rates and assistance for people with disabilities. We’re raising the rates to support people and help them live in dignity,” Horgan said in a statement.
“Raising the rates is only the beginning. Our government is committed to bring forward a comprehensive poverty reduction plan to lift children and families out of poverty.”
The B.C. Liberals had frozen income assistance rates for 10 years. However, recently they had offered a small increase to the disability rate. This came after criticism over the increase in the price of bus passes for people with disabilities.
Alexa Huffman
