The BC Government has announced that it will be extending the provincial temporary crisis supplement for people on income or disability assistance amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the government, this will also extend to low-income seniors.
In a press release issued on Monday, the Province suggested that the COVID-19 Crisis Supplement – which has been provided since April – will be extended for an additional four months for anyone not receiving federal benefits like the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
“As BC’s Restart Plan is creating signs of hope, low- or no-income people are still disproportionately affected by this pandemic,” said Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “Further extending the crisis supplement will help alleviate some of the continuing pressures people are facing while trying to keep themselves and their families healthy and safe.”
The Province added that no action is required from people who are receiving this supplement.
The BC Government highlighted on Monday that the temporary $300 crisis supplement will continue to be automatically applied to cheques distributed Sept. 23, Oct. 21, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16.
“This supplement will also continue to be provided to low-income seniors receiving the B.C. Senior’s Supplement and income assistance and disability recipients residing in special care facilities,” reads a statement.
The federal government recently announced a one-time $600 payment to recipients of federal disability benefits – including the Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan disability benefits, disability supports provided by Veterans Affairs Canada and disability tax credit certificate holders. In a statement Monday, the Province of BC said that the federal benefit payment will be fully exempt for people currently receiving provincial assistance.
“This is in addition to the previously announced exemptions for people on income and disability assistance who may be receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or Canada Emergency Student Benefit,” said the BC Government.
The exemptions remain in effect for the duration of these federal programs.
These measures are part of the B.C. government’s COVID-19 Action Plan.
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