DABC and Community Partners call for full removal of the PWD spousal cap
The Province of BC recently announced that couples in which both people are receiving Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Benefits will soon receive the same PWD support allowance as they would if they were two individuals—a welcome change, but inadequate. Disability Alliance BC, the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition and the Centre for Family Equity have issued a joint letter to the Province, calling for the full removal of the spousal cap for all persons with disabilities and their households.
An excerpt: “The spousal cap assumes a non-disabled partner is responsible for the disabled partner’s livelihood and well-being. This circles back to outdated, patriarchal laws of many decades prior. The spousal cap is in direct opposition with a person’s right to independence and equal opportunity, and therefore discriminates against people with disabilities and their families.”
Read the full letter in PDF format or view the text below.
We will continue to monitor this issue and will inform the community of any further changes through our blog, social media and e-newsletter.
November 20th, 2025
Re: Spousal Cap Changes announced November 13th, 2025
Dear Minister Malcolmson, Minister Wickens, and The Honourable Premier Eby,
We are writing on behalf of the Centre for Family Equity, Disability Alliance BC and the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition. We are writing to you regarding the recent announcement by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction of changes to the spousal cap rules for persons with disabilities in BC.
We welcome the announcement that, starting December 1, 2025, couples where both partners receive disability assistance will receive the same support as if they were single, and that starting January 1, 2026, couples where one partner has the Persons with Disabilities designation will see increased earnings exemptions. This change is a meaningful and welcome step toward dismantling the outdated ‘spousal cap’ that for too long kept people with disabilities trapped in poverty.
We want to begin by congratulating and commending you for the changes, which will doubtlessly improve the quality of life, economic security, safety, and health of many people with disabilities in BC.
However, this admiral change and update to a discriminatory policy still leaves many people with disabilities and their children, youth and families who are still experiencing clawbacks on their income based on their partner’s income, or whose benefits are impacted by their spouse, behind.
Children and youth being raised in households impacted by parental disability status have a right to the full income of their parents and caregivers. The spousal cap assumes a non-disabled partner is responsible for the disabled partner’s livelihood and well-being. This circles back to outdated, patriarchal laws of many decades prior. The spousal cap is in direct opposition with a person’s right to independence and equal opportunity, and therefore discriminates against people with disabilities and their families.
Our organizations will continue to advocate for the full removal of the spousal cap for all persons with disabilities and their households, and for the elimination of all income clawbacks that keep people and families in deep levels of poverty. Until people are supported adequately regardless of relationship status, many will continue to live with insecurity and exclusion.
We advocate for policies that support access to income and greater pathways to labour market inclusion and attachment for those marginalized by poverty and disability.
We implore you to go the full distance and remove the spousal cap entirely for all people on disability assistance in BC.
We look forward to the Province moving quickly to fulfill the commitment to ending the spousal cap to ensure that no one with a disability and their family unit is left behind.
We would be happy to meet with you to discuss this matter further.
Best regards,
Viveca Ellis
Executive Director, Centre for Family Equity
Rowan Burdge
Provincial Director, BC Poverty Reduction Coalition
Helaine Boyd
Executive Director, Disability Alliance BC
