“The authors believe that $1,800 a month is enough to pay for the basic needs (shelter, food and clothing) of a family of four.
They refer to Chris Sarlo’s “basic needs” measurement to support their position.
What they fail to mention is that a paper published by the University of Calgary in September 2011 (Income Support for Persons with Disabilities), using Sarlo’s measurement, concluded “the level of support provided to disabled persons in B.C. is disturbing; it falls slightly below that measure of income required to meet basic
Given that the provincial disability benefit rate is $300 a month more than basic assistance, it is hard to fathom how the authors can conclude B.C.’s welfare rates are adequate.
Neither the basic assistance rate nor the disability benefits rate provide people enough money to live with dignity.”
Jane Dyson Executive director, BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
If you have a simple tax situation, our trained volunteer can help complete your taxes for free! If you are on PWD benefits, this is a good way to ensure taxes are filed on time & correctly.
Where:
BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD) office
#204-456 West Broadway in Vancouver.
When:
In February: Feb. 20th 2012; Feb. 27, 2012 In March:March 5th 2012; March 12th 2012 In April:April 2, 2012; April 16, 2012; April 23, 2012; April 30, 2012
Appointments are 30 minutes.
Suggested eligibility: – Individuals on PWD Benefits
– Individuals earning up to $25,000
– Couples earning up to $35,000
To Register: Call the BCCPD at 604-872-1278. We will let you know what documents you need to bring to your clinic.
*Please note, volunteers do not prepare tax returns for complex situations such as: – Returns for deceased persons
– Individuals who file for bankruptcy
– Self-employed individuals
– Individuals who report capital gains or losses
– Individuals who report employment expenses, business or rental income & expenses
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.
The Special Committee to Review the Provisions of the Human Rights Code held a public consultation from July 28 to September 26, 2025, which is detailed here. DABC has made the following submission to the Special Committee, which provides our perspective on the value of the Human Rights Commissioner...
tter was published on The Vancouver Sun’s website today, in response to a January 26 article titled “BC welfare rates are adequate.”
