The provincial Budget 2021 Consultation Report was released this week.

We are very pleased to see that, as we requested, the Committee has recommended that the government invest in a comprehensive program to make assistive devices and medical equipment accessible to those that need them.

The Committee has also recommended a review of the income and disability assistance framework, although we had hoped for stronger language recommending a permanent rate increase for both IA and PWD.

Read the full report and the Committee’s 124 recommendations here: https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary-business/committees/41stparliament-5thsession-fgs

We’re collecting Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) stories as we gear up for RDSP Awareness Month in October. If you’ve opened an RDSP and it has made or will make a positive impact on your life, we’d like to hear from you! To participate, please email chloe@disabilityalliancebc.therightfitbc.org.

The Province of BC is extending the temporary $300 crisis supplement for recipients of the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) benefit and provincial income assistance (IA).

The supplement will continue to be automatically applied to cheques issued Sept. 23, Oct. 21, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16.

The Province’s news release also clarifies that the recently announced $600 federal crisis supplement will be fully exempt for people currently receiving provincial assistance. This one-time crisis supplement will be issued to recipients of the Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan disability benefits, disability supports provided by Veterans Affairs Canada and disability tax credit certificate holders.

For more information, read the Province’s news release:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020SDPR0041-001511