Premier announces increase to PWD earnings exemption and asset levels

June 11, 2012 by DABC

Today Premier Christy Clark announced a number of changes effective October 1st, 2012 for people receiving the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Benefit. These include an increase to the annual earnings exemption from $500 to $800 per month for a single person and an increase to the allowable asset level for a single person from $3,000-$5,000.

While these changes are positive, they do not address the fact that the disability benefit rate is inadequate. The BCCPD, in partnership with BC Association for Community Living, Canadian Mental Health Association (BC division), SPARC BC and the Community Legal Assistance Society, are calling on the Province to increase the PWD Benefit rate to $1200 per month to better reflect the cost of living in BC.

For more information on the government’s changes, please visit the following link:

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

We will also be providing more information when we have reviewed the changes more carefully.