B.C. income and disability assistance to increase by $175 per month

The government of British Columbia is permanently increasingincome and disability assistance rates in the province, as temporary COVID-19 supports introduced last year end.

According to a government release, more than 300,000 people will receive the increased rate, which it calls the "largest-ever permanent increase to income assistance and disability assistance."

Beginning with payments in April, income and disability assistance will rise by $175 per month. A single person on income assistance will receive $935 each month, while a single person on disability assistance will receive $1,358.42.

For couples, the income assistance rate will be$1,427.22, and disability assistance rates for couples will increase to$1,947.56.

Last April, the government introduced amonthly $300 benefitforlow income seniors and people with disabilities. That was clawed back to $150 earlier this yearand is now being eliminated.

Under the new rates:

• A single parent with one child will receive $1,270.58 if on income assistance and $1,694.08 if on disability assistance, plus up to $697 in federal and provincial child benefits.
• A couple with onechild will receive $1,611.06 per month if on income assistance and $2,131.56 per month if on disability assistance, as well asprovincial and federal child benefits.

The senior's supplement has been increased the first time since it was introduced in 1987, according to the government's released statement. The supplement is beingincreased by $50 to $99.30, which will benefit as many as 80,000 low-income seniors.