On February 10th, the Province of BC announced the phasing in of a new B.C. Children and Youth Disability Benefit program and B.C. Children and Youth Disability Supplement, replacing the current autism funding program. With these changes, which were developed in consultation with families, service providers and experts, the Province aims to reach thousands more children and youth with a range of disabilities. 

Details of the new Benefit and Supplement, as reported in the Province’s news release: 

• Over the course of 2026 and 2027, the new B.C. Children and Youth Disability Benefit will launch to provide families of children with significant disabilities with $6,500 or $17,000 per year based on their individual needs. 

• Starting July 2027, a new income-tested B.C. Children and Youth Disability Supplement will also become available to families with any child under age 18 who is eligible for the federal Disability Tax Credit. The supplement will provide up to $6,000 per year (based on the level of family net income), which families can use to pay for therapies, supports and services they believe are most helpful. The new supplement is designed to support families with middle and low incomes. 

DABC is very heartened by the opportunity for a wider diversity of children with disabilities and their families to receive key supports, and applaud the Province for taking these steps toward equitable access to financial support.  

We also recognize that some families receiving current autism supports may feel uneasy about these changes. We hope that these families will continue to receive the supports they need.  

DABC Calls Upon Global News to Issue a Formal Apology for their Discriminatory News Piece

DABC is shocked and deeply disappointed at Global News which, on December 3, 2025, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, decided to publish an inflammatory and antagonizing piece claiming allegations of fraud conducted by people receiving disability assistance and income assistance (known collectively as social assistance), from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (SDPR). This piece highlighted only one viewpoint: through the biased lens of one SDPR worker. The video provided no context, information or alternative viewpoints regarding the real lived experiences of people who receive social assistance.

Throughout this video, Global News mentions a lack of “proper verification,” yet fails to provide any information regarding the complex and rigorous application and eligibility verification process that people must undergo in order to receive social assistance to begin with. This process includes but is not limited to the applicant providing:

• all financial and bank account documents;
• at least three months worth of income documentation;
• proof of assets;
• eligibility interviews;
• forceable work searches;
• for people who have been living with someone for more than 12 months, all the above documents are also required for their partner; and
• proof of disability through medical confirmation from their healthcare practitioner and a separate assessor (for people applying for disability assistance).

The social assistance system is incredibly onerous and complex. Global News’ assertion that SDPR has a lack of “proper verification” does nothing to reflect the reality of folks who require assistance in order to meet basic living needs, and who have to jump through many hoops and verification processes just to receive it.

In their video, Global News mentions “millions of dollars of fraud” which DABC argues is a wild assumption to assert based on the viewpoint of one whistleblower, particularly when said whistleblower voiced no clear evidence to back up this information. The whistleblower failed to mention that many clients on social assistance are routinely monitored and reviewed by SDPR with no just cause. These reviews require clients to provide months if not years of financial documents. If they fail to do so or are late in submitting this documentation, they are penalized by having their social assistance cut off. DABC has observed that these random reviews are often conducted over and over again, leading to further anxiety and stress on those receiving social assistance.

There is no recognition in this video that monthly social assistance income is a meager amount which keeps many people below the poverty line in this province. There are several mentions within the video claiming that people on social assistance are financially successful, such as an example of “a family who is receiving more than $6,000 a month in government money”. DABC believes that Global News has failed to fact-check this story according to proper journalistic standards. The highest rate of disability assistance in BC is currently set to $3,207 per month – that is for a family of 10 people where both adults are approved for disability assistance.

The Global News video mentions an increasing amount of people applying for social assistance, yet provides no critical analysis or explanation as to why that may be; such as higher cost of living and increased number of people with disabilities due to the impacts of COVID.

This sensationalized piece purposely leads viewers to believe that people on social assistance are defrauding the system and stealing taxpayer money. DABC soundly rebuffs the viewpoint of punishing individuals on low income and people with disabilities for an overloaded social assistance system that is causing SDPR workers to be overwhelmed by their increasing caseload. The fault of a system should not fall on the backs of people with disabilities.

We wholeheartedly reject the frankly ableist and discriminatory perception that this video has produced and abhor the negative narrative it perpetuates: that people with disabilities are untrustworthy or trying to “cheat the system”. The Global News piece is a gross example of one-sided, salacious, fear-mongering journalism that is used as a tactic to gain views at the expense of our common humanity. We ask that Global News release a formal apology and retract their statements made in the video, immediately.

Our next Transition magazine will include a look at “unmet needs” around disability programs, services and supports.

We want to hear from you! Do you need an advocate for a doctor’s visit, but can’t find an organization that offers this support? Are you facing a lack of accessible housing? Or lacking supports to do advanced care planning or a Representation Agreement?

Send us a short description (up to 125 words) on the gap you’re facing or witnessing as someone living with disability. Please email feedback@dabc.ca before December 15th.