November 2015

Dear Community Partner,

Starting December 1^st 2015, people receiving the Persons with Disabilities benefit (PWD) will be able to have up to $100,000 in assets without it impacting their eligibility for assistance. For couples where both individuals have the PWD designation this amount will be $200,000. In addition PWD recipients will be able to receive cash gifts without it impacting their disability designation. As well, the annual cap of $8,000 on trust payments wiIl be eliminated.

DABC believes this change represents a very positive and significant change to the way in which the Province provides disability assistance to British Columbians with disabilities. It will give people with disabilities who receive assistance more flexibility, choice, dignity, and hope for the future. DABC congratulates and thanks the Province for making this innovative change.

The change means that families and friends of people with disabilities will be able to provide financial support to their loved ones without impacting their eligibility for assistance. It will also help people with disabilities who have fewer financial resources or opportunities. DABC receives requests for help from many PWD recipients who find themselves in difficult situations when it comes to financial windfalls.

People call us for help when they have been left a few thousand dollars. A relatively small amount, it can be both a wonderful event and a great challenge to someone receiving disability assistance. The amount is often too small to make it feasible to open a trust, but too high to remain eligible for assistance.

Often they will have to leave assistance for a month or two until they fall below the $5,000 asset limit. It’s very sad to see these wasted opportunities for people with so few resources. This will all change on December 1^st. For more information on the Ministry’s announcement, please go to: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2015SDSI0069-001847

While DABC is thrilled about this change, we will continue to urge the Province to increase the PWD rates. An increase to the PWD rates is long overdue and needs to be urgently addressed.

Over the next while we will be updating all of our publications to reflect this change to the rules on assets for PWD recipients.

Best regards,

Val Stapleton, Membership and Outreach Coordinator
Jane Dyson, Executive Director

The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation announced today that effective December 1st, it will be raising the allowable asset levels for PWD recipients to $100,000 for a single person and $200,000 for a couple where both people have the PWD designation. In addition, people receiving provincial disability benefits will be able to accept cash gifts without there being any effect on their eligibility for PWD.

DABC is thrilled by this news and congratulates the Province for making these favourable changes .

For more information and to read DABC Executive Director Jane Dyson’s comments on the announcement, please visit this link:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2015SDSI0069-001847

What:                 A free workshop about Basic Budgeting
Where:               Disability Alliance BC’s office at #204- 456 West Broadway in Vancouver
When:                Thursday, May 28th from 1pm- 2pm
To Register:      Call Val at 604-875-0188 or email: feedback@disabilityalliancebc.therightfitbc.org

We will cover: what is a budget, why you should have a budget, and how to start and keep a budget. The workshop is for people receiving the Persons with Disabilities Benefit or for people who are living on low incomes. Staff and volunteers from community organizations are welcome to attend.

*This workshop will be facilitated by Vancity and has been made possible though Vancity’s generous support.