Surrey-Fleetwood MLA Jagrup Brar has accepted Raise the Rates’ challenge to live on the basic income assistance rate for a single person of $610. He is doing this for the month of January. Mr. Brar will write a daily diary which will be posted on mlaonwelfare.com and there will be regular media coverage.

While his experience differs from most people living on welfare as he is in good health, has adequate clothing and will only live in poverty temporarily he will nonetheless have to endure struggling to make $610 last for one month.

The aim of the challenge is to raise public awareness about BC’s inadequate welfare rates and the income assistance system’s barriers to access. People who need income assistance should not be forced to live in poverty. Raise the Rates hopes to gain public support to encourage the Province to improve the system and raise welfare rates.

In addition to focusing on basis income assistance, Raise the Rates also wants Mr. Brar to hear the experiences of people living on provincial disability benefits. If you are interested in sharing your experience with him about living on disability benefits please come to:

Thursday, Jan 26
Carnegie Centre
401 Main Street, Vancouver
Classroom 2, top floor
10:00am – 12:00pm

 If you would prefer to remain anonymous when you meet Mr. Brar, that’s fine. Raise the Rates will also ensure that any media present will respect your privacy if that is your preference.

If you are going to attend, it would be most helpful if you could let Robin Loxton know by emailing him at povpost.bccpd.bc.ca.

Join us for a free 4-week program

Poverty is not only about money, it is also about not having access to the skills, resources, information, and choices necessary to get and maintain self-sufficiency.

If you are living on a low income or receiving disability benefits, you may have well-developed money management skills. You may know how to stretch a dollar and juggle bills. But if you want to know more, where do you get objective information not designed to sell you anything?

Often, financial language can be difficult to understand and link to your own life. Money is a sensitive and private subject for many people, so many of us don’t feel comfortable asking friends or family.

The Money Skills program at Family Services of Greater Vancouver works with community groups to offer a workshop series on money. The workshops are free of charge and provide a fun, interactive environment to share information and learn new money skills.

Budgeting: Track your earning and spending and be in control of your money.

Banking: Choose the options that are right for you, reduce fees and save money.

Credit: Build and maintain a good credit history and deal with debt.

Consumerism: Buy buy buy! Examine the role of advertising in our spending choices and how to be in charge of your own spending.

Cost:     Free
When:   Four sessions in January 19 – February 9, 2012
Where:  BCCPD, #204 – 456 West Broadway, Vancouver
Time:    1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Call Val at 604-875-0188 or email feedback@bccpd.bc.ca for more information.

This article in the August 11/11 Globe and Mail describes the BC’s government’s plan to change the Community Volunteer Supplement for people with disabilities.

This is good news for the almost 8,000 people on the CVS waitlist; however, we’re disappointed that the legislation supporting the CVS program has been repealed and a moratorium introduced on new applications.

We hope the community is invited to participate as the Province develops “a more sustainable model,” for the program.

See the article here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/bc-politics/government-plans-to-reform-stipend-program-for-disabled-volunteers/article2125877/