In early June 2023, Disability Alliance BC submitted our recommendations to the Select Standing Committee on Finance: Annual Budget Consultation for the BC Government, for Budget 2024. 

Organizations are allowed to submit a maximum of three recommendations. In particular, DABC advocated for the inclusion of the following in next year’s budget:

1. Increase the Disability Assistance Rate (known as PWD) and Index for Inflation
2. Invest in a comprehensive program for assistive devices and medical equipment for people with disabilities
3. Support accessibility retrofits for existing social housing and establish a fund for rental subsidies for low income people requiring accessible housing

On August 3, 2023, the Committee released their Report on Budget 2024 Consultation and it can be found online here:
https://www.leg.bc.ca/content/CommitteeDocuments/42nd-parliament/4th-session/fgs/reports/SSC-FGS_42-4-2_Budget-2024-Consultation_Report.pdf

All three of DABC’s recommendations were referenced in the report and two were made as official recommendations by the Committee:

• Increase the Disability Assistance Rate (known as PWD) and Index for Inflation

The report writes:

“A number of individuals provided written submissions to the Committee highlighting the difficulties faced by those who rely on income and disability assistance during this period of a rising cost of living. Submissions described the difficulty in affording and finding adequate shelter, covering medical expenses, and the poverty associated that many people with disabilities experience. Several organizations and individuals recommended raising income and disability assistance rates. The BC Poverty Reduction Coalition identified a gap between income and disability assistance rates and the poverty line. The organization stated that this gap can place people who rely on income and disability assistance into inadequate living situations, food insecurity, and poor relationships. Disability Action of Canada shared that the current monthly provincial support level is $1,410 while the official poverty level in Canada is $2,202 per month. Additionally, YWCA Metro Vancouver shared that women and gender diverse people disproportionately experience high rates of poverty in BC and rely on assistance supports due to their concentration in low-wage, part-time, and precarious work. The organization acknowledged recent increases in income and disability assistance rates but deemed poverty reduction systems to still be regressive and failing to address systemic poverty. Disability Alliance BC detailed the limitations of existing support for low-income people with disabilities and advocated for directly supporting low-income individuals.”[1]

As a result, Recommendation 153 was made: Improve support to individuals who receive income and disability assistance by increasing rates and indexing to inflation, increasing earning exemptions, creating a graduated scale, and reviewing the spousal cap.

• Invest in a comprehensive program for assistive devices and medical equipment for people with disabilities

The report writes:

“Many presentations and submissions described the need for increased funding for medical devices and equipment. Home Medical Equipment Providers Association of BC highlighted that mobility equipment is absolutely essential and the lack of necessary equipment can result in higher medical costs down the line. Disability Alliance BC stated that in BC, most financial coverage available for adults for assistive devices is for people receiving disability assistance and those who do not qualify for financial coverage are left to purchase expensive medical equipment on their own or to seek out help from not for profit organizations and charities. Motion stated that many people are forced to either go without or search for additional funds to make up for the increasing gap between the funding cap and the actual cost of equipment. The organization further elaborated that for people with disabilities and mobility constraints, the added cost of equipment that they need to function is far too often out of reach and assistance from government is not available. Additionally, Speech and Hearing BC noted barriers to accessing needed equipment for individuals who are hard of hearing once a hearing loss is detected. The organization stated that introducing funding for hearing aids in BC would be a crucial improvement in quality of life. The Prosthetics and Orthotics Association of BC noted that BC does not have an adult funded orthotic program and that funding policies are inadequate which create barriers for emergency repairs, sometimes leading to injuries while waiting.”[2]

As a result, Recommendation 89 was made:

Improve the coverage and accessibility of medical devices and equipment, including:

a. re-evaluating equipment funding for adults to ensure comprehensive support;

b. introducing funding for hearing aids;

c. creating a seamless orthotics funding plan; and

d. reviewing the Legislative Funding Cap for Ceiling Lift Systems.

• Support accessibility retrofits for existing social housing and establish a fund for rental subsidies for low income people requiring accessible housing

The report writes:

“The Committee received several recommendations to improve the development of non-market housing. CUPE Kootenay District Council suggested the development of a new crown corporation or similar agency, to build publicly owned high quality non-market housing. The Disability Alliance BC also raised concerns about the lack of accessible non-market housing, noting that only 23 percent of the non-market developments on BC Housing’s list are wheelchair accessible.”[3]

DABC’s full recommendation was not included in the report; however the Committee did make Recommendation 103 which states: Provide means-tested support to targeted renters, including persons with disabilities and low-income households.

DABC is heartened to see the many recommendations put forward by the Committee related to disability and accessibility. In particular, we also support the Committee’s recommendations related to funding for complex, chronic diseases, as these have been historically underfunded and under researched. We also support the recommendation to providing counselling services as a benefit under MSP and a free monthly bus pass to people with disabilities. We look forward to seeing how the BC Government takes these recommendations into consideration as they build the BC Budget for 2024.

Here are all of the recommendations in the report related to disability-focused funding:

40. Continue to invest in expanding accessible and inclusive tourism within BC in partnership with stakeholders.

56. Provide increased, long-term funding for BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails BC to support…c. Improved accessibility of recreation facilities…

76. Fund complex and chronic illness clinics or care hubs, such as the Centre for Complex Chronic Diseases at BC Women’s Hospital, for those with chronic illnesses and co-morbidities.

77. Resource the development and implementation of a provincial dementia strategy.

78. Invest in the development and implementation of a provincial diabetes strategy to improve prevention (type 2), screening, treatment, and health outcomes for all types of diabetes.

79. Improve access to multiple sclerosis treatments through public funding of ocrelizumab and ofatumumab.

80. Improve supports and services for those diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis by establishing guidelines, developing specific billing codes, and training medical professionals to increase awareness.

81. Improve treatment of Parkinson’s disease by maintaining and expanding specialized staff, training health professionals to better support patients, and providing timely access to innovative medications and therapies such as deep brain stimulation.

89. Improve the coverage and accessibility of medical devices and equipment, including:

a. re-evaluating equipment funding for adults to ensure comprehensive support;

b. introducing funding for hearing aids;

c. creating a seamless orthotics funding plan; and

d. reviewing the Legislative Funding Cap for Ceiling Lift Systems.

90. Consider amending the Employment and Assistance Regulation to align with current market pricing for scooters and lifts

103. Provide means-tested support to targeted renters, including persons with disabilities and low-income households.

114. Provide funding for anti-racism, disability awareness, and inclusive reconciliation programs.

115. Close the gap between the actual cost of inclusive education and provincial funding provided to school districts.

116. Reduce wait times by increasing and targeting funding for psychoeducational testing.

117. Support the inclusion of students with support needs by reinstating the special education equipment grant so children with mobility challenges can access all areas of schools with dignity and increasing the ability for kids with disabilities to go to school full-time and be included in field trips with their peers.

118. Support students with dyslexia by offering structured literacy programs and providing targeted funding and mandatory dyslexia screening starting in kindergarten.

122. Increase funding for and access to mental health services and supports throughout the province, including:

a. making psychiatric medications financially accessible;

b. regulating counselling services and providing them as a benefit under MSP; and

c. ensuring services are seamless and consistent across all health authorities

148. Increase funding to the At Home Program to extend the cutoff age for services for youth with severe disabilities to 24 years. 

149. Strengthen the inclusion and resilience of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by supporting community living organizations, providing funding for community program workers, and promoting community living as a career opportunity.

153. Improve support to individuals who receive income and disability assistance by increasing rates and indexing to inflation, increasing earning exemptions, creating a graduated scale, and reviewing the spousal cap.

163. Increase funding to HandyDART to ensure services are available seven days a week across the province.

165. Provide a free monthly bus pass to people with disabilities.

---

[1] Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. Report on the Budget 2024 Consultation. August 2023. https://www.leg.bc.ca/content/CommitteeDocuments/42nd-parliament/4th-session/fgs/reports/SSC-FGS_42-4-2_Budget-2024-Consultation_Report.pdf Page 89

[2] Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. Report on the Budget 2024 Consultation. August 2023. https://www.leg.bc.ca/content/CommitteeDocuments/42nd-parliament/4th-session/fgs/reports/SSC-FGS_42-4-2_Budget-2024-Consultation_Report.pdf Page 52

[3] Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. Report on the Budget 2024 Consultation. August 2023. https://www.leg.bc.ca/content/CommitteeDocuments/42nd-parliament/4th-session/fgs/reports/SSC-FGS_42-4-2_Budget-2024-Consultation_Report.pdf Page 59