BC Budget 2019

Selfadvocatenet.com report got out this budget highlighting areas that relate to our area in disability field

What in this for self advocates and family members.

is increase in disability benefits  by 50 dollars a month up to 1,800 a year starting in April,2019.

 A person with disabilities will now receive $1,183 per month.

Community Living BC gets increase for Home share  and

family based caregivers get increase and extended family get increase also child care spaces get increase.

 

 

BUDGET NEWS RELEASE

Budget 2019 creates opportunities, makes life better for people

VICTORIA — Budget 2019  is creating opportunities for all British Columbians by delivering a new B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit for kids up to the age of 18, removing interest from B.C. student loans, reducing taxes for businesses, and investing in clean energy and climate solutions.

Budget 2019 makes historic investments in people and balances the budget in all three years of the fiscal plan with surpluses of $274 million in 2019/20, $287 million in 2020/21, and $585 million in 2021/22.

“People in B.C. struggled for too long because the old government made choices that helped the few at the top while everyone else fell further and further behind,” said Carole James, Minister of Finance. “Budget 2019 opens doors for you and your family by putting thousands of dollars back into your pocket. We’re helping hardworking British Columbians get ahead at every stage of their life, no matter where they’re starting from.”

To make life more affordable for families and help every child reach their full potential, Budget 2019 introduces the B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit, directly returning nearly $400 million to British Columbian families raising children, starting October 2020. For a family’s first child, the benefit is as high as $1,600 a year, increasing to $2,600 for two children and $3,400 for three children. Families will receive the B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit from the day their child is born until reaching 18 years of age.

This benefit, along with the full elimination of Medical Service Plan (MSP) premiums, will give middle-class families the largest reduction in their taxes in a generation:

  • A family of four earning $60,000 will have their provincial taxes reduced by up to 60% compared to 2016, putting more than $2,500 back into this family’s pocket.
  • A family of four earning $80,000 will have their provincial taxes reduced by up to 43% compared to 2016, putting almost $2,400 back into this family’s pocket.
  • A family of four earning $100,000 will have their provincial taxes reduced by up to 22% compared to 2016, putting almost $1,600 back into this family’s pocket.

To help make sure young people are able to start their careers without being saddled with debt, Budget 2019 eliminates interest from all new and existing British Columbia student loans. As of today, all B.C. student loans will stop accumulating interest. This means an average graduate would save $2,300 in interest, based on a $28,000 combined federal and provincial loan with a 10-year repayment period.

Budget 2019 deepens the Province’s commitment to achieving true and lasting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, committing an estimated $3 billion over the next 25 years for the largest revenue-sharing agreement with First Nations in B.C.’s history.

This year’s budget moves forward with CleanBC by investing $902 million to make sure B.C. can meet its climate commitments and to protect our clean air, land and water. This important initiative was developed in consultation with the B.C. Green Party caucus as committed to in the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

“British Columbia’s economy is thriving with the strongest GDP and wage growth in Canada. It’s clear that sharing the benefits of growth with all British Columbians results in a stronger economy,” said James. “Together we are doing our part to fight climate change and build a British Columbia where everyone can enjoy a good life and secure future in the community they call home.”

To support British Columbia’s long-term economic growth, government is investing $20 billion over three years to build the infrastructure B.C. needs to thrive, creating and supporting tens of thousands of good-paying jobs.

Further, the Province is moving forward with more than $800 million in business tax reductions over the course of the fiscal plan to support investment in new plants, machinery and equipment, joining with the Government of Canada to boost our competitiveness.

Budget 2019 continues to invest in better services for people, including improved health care, quality education and affordable, accessible child care. As priorities, the government is delivering more hospitals and shorter wait times, funding schools and thousands of new teachers, and continuing the path towards a universal made-in-B.C. child care program.

Quick Facts:

Making life more affordable

  • Introducing the new B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit – starting in October 2020 – that will provide families with one child up to $1,600 per year, two children up to $2,600 and three children up to $3,400. Over the course of a child’s upbringing, families with one child will receive as much as $28,800. For families with two children, that number can exceed $40,000 in support.
  • Eliminating interest on British Columbia student loans. As of Feb. 19, 2019, all B.C. student loans will stop accumulating interest; saving someone with $28,000 in combined provincial and federal student loans $2,300 over the 10-year repayment period.
  • Fully eliminating MSP premiums on Jan. 1, 2020, saving families as much as $1,800 per year.
  • Increasing income and disability assistance rates by an additional $50 per month, meaning a total increase of $150 per month or $1,800 per year since Budget Update 2017.
  • Investing $26 million in income and disability assistance enhancements to the B.C. Employment Assistance program to help remove barriers to accessing support, such as removing requirements that make it harder for older adults, youth and persons with mental health issues to access the program; helping people get identification so they can access income assistance; and extending the shelter rate for those paying room and board to a family member.
  • Investing $6 million annually to provide respite services for parents who provide care for children with disabilities. This will significantly reduce the waitlist for respite services and increase the respite benefit by 10%.
  • Investing $85 million to support children in care by increasing support payments for foster parents, adoptive parents, and extended family members caring for children and by ensuring children in care benefit from provincial tax benefits. This includes a 75% increase to support payments for the Extended Family Program and responds to recommendations from Indigenous communities and Grand Chief Ed John.
  • Providing funding to community organizations to operate rent banks by providing short-term loans with little to no interest to low-income tenants who can’t pay their rent due to a financial crisis.
  • Introducing a homelessness action plan with a $76-million investment that will support land acquisition and services to bring the number of modular homes for people who need them to 2,200.

Delivering better services for families

  • Investing $4.4 billion over three years to expand and upgrade hospitals, medical and diagnostic equipment and health information management systems to ensure patients have the quality care they deserve.
  • Providing $105 million over three years to support life-saving cancer care services delivered by the BC Cancer Agency, including increasing the number of cancer-related surgeries, diagnostic imaging, PET and CT scans.
  • Improving mental health care for British Columbians with a $74-million investment that funds new initiatives focused on prevention and early intervention for children, youth and young adults.
  • Increasing support by an additional $30 million, for a total of $608 million since Budget 2017 Update, to help tackle B.C.’s drug overdose crisis. This will help expand access to life-saving naloxone kits and fund pilot programs to help meet increased demand for paramedics in rural and remote areas of B.C.
  • Expanding B.C.’s Fair PharmaCare program with an additional $42 million, providing coverage for more drug options that will improve the health outcomes of British Columbians. That includes people living with diabetes, asthma and hypertension.
  • Providing over $550 million in additional supports for B.C.’s public education system, including $58 million over three years for the Classroom Enhancement Fund to support better classrooms for kids. This is in addition to the over 4,000 new teachers, including 1,000 special education assistants, hired to support students in B.C. classrooms.
  • Moving forward with an annual investment to pilot legal clinics to help people access the legal services they need.
  • Adding $111 million over three years to continue strengthening the province’s efforts to combat and prevent wildfires.

Investing in a strong, sustainable economy that works for people

  • Making more than $20 billion in capital investments primarily in the health, transportation and education sectors — the largest infrastructure investment in B.C.’s history. This will create tens of thousands of jobs in communities around B.C.
  • Providing over $902 million for CleanBC, putting B.C. on the path to a cleaner, brighter, low-carbon future. This will reduce air pollution and save families money through the Clean Energy Vehicle Program, incentives for energy-saving home improvements, a net-zero building code, and programs to help communities transition to cleaner energy sources.
  • Diversifying forest tenures and manufacturing, increasing timber processing in B.C. and supporting collaboration with stakeholders including Indigenous governments with a $10-million investment.
  • Investing $18 million to continue making Adult Basic Education and English Language Learning free and accessible for people looking to upgrade their skills and get ahead.
  • Adding $21 million to expand BC Transit and handyDART services to help people safely commute in over 30 urban and rural communities in the province.
  • Providing over $39 million in new funds over three years to ensure B.C.’s bridges and roads keep people and goods moving, and an additional $4 million to improve commercial vehicle safety by increasing inspection station hours and targeted enforcement.
  • Investing $9 million over three years to implement government’s commitment to modernize the taxi industry and enable ride-hailing in B.C. This includes funding for enhanced vehicle compliance and enforcement activities, and supports the new provincial regulator, the Passenger Transportation Board.
  • Providing an additional $15 million for the BC Arts Council to open doors for B.C. artists, writers and creators.
  • Making a historic $20-million investment to fund a fair, independent oversight body in the mining sector.
  • Providing nearly $14 million over three years to transform B.C.’s employment standards for protections and enforcement, keeping people safe at work.
  • To help connect communities and businesses, government is committing $50 million to expand high-speed internet in rural and remote communities throughout B.C.

Learn more:

For more details on Budget 2019, visit: www.bcbudget.ca

Contact:

Finance Communications
Ministry of Finance
250 387-1248

 

 

 

This from Inclusion BC News Release of What is in BC Budget their intake into what needed TO happen for people with disabilities in BC

BC Budget: Investments addressing poverty are welcome, but more is needed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Victoria, February 19, 2019 – BC’s 2019/20 budget included many important investments to help lift people out of poverty. Unfortunately, the budget failed to meaningfully address low benefit rates that are keeping people with disabilities living in poverty.

The Minister of Finance announced a small increase of $50/month to Persons with Disabilities (PWD) benefit rates. Inclusion BC is disappointed that this budget does not include the investments necessary to make the Poverty Reduction Strategy Act a success. Bringing people with disabilities out of poverty requires a significant investment to increase disability benefit rates to at least $1500 per month and index rates to the cost of living. We don’t see that investment in this budget.

Inclusion BC applauds the government for introducing the new B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit which will significantly improve the lives of thousands of low-income families, many of whom support children with disabilities.

Inclusion BC Executive Director Karla Verschoor expressed concerns about the budget for Community Living BC, where again there is a very modest annual increase of 66 million.

“It remains unclear how this budget will actually translate directly into supports for people with intellectual disabilities and their families who are waiting for services,” says Verschoor. “Families and community agencies that support people with intellectual disabilities across BC have struggled with inadequate funding for a long time. Individuals and families continue to be told there’s not enough money in the CLBC budget for the services they need and face increasingly limited support options.”

Inclusion BC was pleased to see a long-overdue rate increase for shared living providers and foster parents. This will address the challenges that many agencies have faced in finding shared living providers in their community.

Unfortunately, the budget failed to include a portable rental supplement, similar to the seniors SAFER program, to help people with disabilities access safe, affordable housing outside the home share model. A portable rental supplement would allow people with disabilities to access a broader range of housing options, including private market rental units. Inclusion BC hopes to see this addressed in the federal budget next month.

We were pleased the budget moved forward on Grand Chief Ed John’s recommendation to align the support payments received by extended family, including grandparents who support children and keep them out of foster care. Children with special needs are disproportionately represented in the foster care system and this will give many families the option of having their children cared for within the extended family.

 

BC’s 2019/20 budget included many important investments to help lift people out of poverty. Unfortunately, the budget failed to meaningfully address low benefit rates that are keeping people with disabilities living in poverty.

This post expands on our news release from Budget Day, providing more detail and context.

PWD BENEFITS

The Minister of Finance announced a small increase of $50/month (effective April 1, 2019) to Persons with Disabilities (PWD) benefit rates. Inclusion BC is disappointed that this budget does not include the investments necessary to make the Poverty Reduction Strategy Act a success. Bringing people with disabilities out of poverty requires a significant investment to increase disability benefit rates to at least $1500 per month and index rates to the cost of living. We don’t see that investment in this budget.

Shelter rate

The budget announced improvements to disability assistance program, including extending the shelter rate for those paying room and board to a family member.

COMMUNITY LIVING BC

Inclusion BC is concerned about the budget for Community Living BC, where again there is a very modest annual increase of 66 million.

This investment slightly exceeds the increase in demand for services. The budget increase is approximately 7% and demand projections for services are estimated to be 5.2% plus approximately 100 people currently waiting 6 months or more for services. These individuals already have a PRT (priority ranking tool) score of 50 or more. It is CLBC policy to provide services within six months for individuals with a PRT over 50.

News release quote: “It remains unclear how this budget will actually translate directly into supports for people with intellectual disabilities and their families who are waiting for services,” says Verschoor. “Families and community agencies that support people with intellectual disabilities across BC have struggled with inadequate funding for a long time. Individuals and families continue to be told there’s not enough money in the CLBC budget for the services they need and face increasingly limited support options.”

Home share Rates

Inclusion BC was pleased to see a long-overdue rate increase for shared living providers and foster parents. This will address the challenges that many agencies have faced in finding shared living providers in their community. The province announced $45 million over three years for home-share providers, with $9 million allocated for the 2019/20 year.

The exact amount and timing of the roll-out has not been announced.

HOUSING

Inclusion BC focused our housing ask in pre-budget consultations to portable rental supplements. While housing investments were announced in the budget (including the construction of 200 modular houses), they did not put forward innovative ways to address the housing crisis faced by vulnerable groups such as people with intellectual disabilities.

A portable rental supplement would help people with disabilities access safe, affordable housing outside the homeshare model. A portable rental supplement would allow people with disabilities to access a broader range of housing options, including private market rental units. We hope to see this addressed in the federal budget next month.

HANDYDART

BC Transit and Handydart together received a budget lift of $21 million over three years to expand services in 30 urban and rural communities outside Metro Vancouver. It is unclear what this expansion will look like, as the funding allocation to Handydart was non-specific.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

While momentum has stalled in investments in adults with disabilities, there were some significant investments that will make a difference in the lives of children and families.

CHILD OPPORTUNITY BENEFIT

Inclusion BC applauds the government for introducing the new B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit which will significantly improve the lives of thousands of low-income families, many of whom support children with disabilities. This benefit will replace the early childhood tax benefit which provides families with up to $660 annually per child under the age of six. The new benefit is higher (one child $1,600, two children $2,600 and three children $3,400) and will be paid until the child is 18. The benefit is income-tested.

COMPENSATION FOR EXTENDED FAMILY CAREGIVERS

We were pleased the budget moved forward on Grand Chief Ed John’s recommendation to align the support payments received by extended family, including grandparents who support children and keep them out of foster care. Children with special needs are disproportionately represented in the foster care system and this will give many families the option of having their children cared for within the extended family.

This means that family caregivers will receive a 75% increase in support payments to be equal with foster caregiver compensation, which was also increased by an additional $179 per month.

Respite for families

Families of children with disabilities will see a small increase of 10% in the amount of respite funds they receive. An annual investment of $6 million was announced within the budget to cover this increase and to reduce the waitlist for respite services.

MENTAL HEALTH

An investment of $74 million over three years will support new, integrated services that address mental health and addictions for children, youth and young adults. This funding will be targeted to implementing a coordinated system of support and development programs for young children, school based wellness programs and early intervention for students with early signs of mental health challenges. Funding will also expand the number of Foundry centres.

Other: MCFD BUDGET INCREASE

MCFD received a budget increase of $94 million over 3 years to support children and youth with special needs and children in residential care. The autism and medical benefits program is included in the increase, receiving the remaining $11 million annually.

EDUCATION

The ministry of Education received an investment increase of $550 million over three years. This includes $182 million for 2019-2020 and $58 million over three years to cover the Supreme Court ruling on class size and composition.

LINKS:

CLBC Service Plan 2019-2022
Government’s Mandate Letter to CLBC (January 16, 2019)
BC Budget 2019 Documents

 

This From CLBC responds to bc budget 2019 clbc gets increase in

Province announces budget

In the provincial budget released today there is an additional $66.5 million in funding for CLBC to support people with developmental disabilities.

This includes $8.8 million this year ($45 million over the next three years) to improve funding for home sharing providers. This is a vital service that supports more than 4,000 people to live in their communities. Letters will be going out to Home Sharing providers in March 2019 to explain the details and how the new funding will impact them.

There is also funding to provide new or increased supports for the people CLBC serves. About 900 to 1,100 people become eligible for CLBC services each year. Those eligible for services have grown from 12,735 in 2010 to 21,128 as of March 31, 2018. To understand how CLBC makes funding allocation decisions for individuals who have requested disability-related services, please visit our web site here.

“CLBC staff and service providers care about the individuals and families we serve, and take seriously our role in helping people to build a meaningful life,” said CLBC CEO Seonag Macrae. “We will work very hard to continue to strengthen our services to ensure the funding provides effective supports to as many people as possible.”

CLBC funds and monitors support services to adults with developmental disabilities in British Columbia. CLBC also serves individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or Autism Spectrum Disorder who need significant help with daily tasks. Services are provided through a network of service providers and include employment, community inclusion, housing and respite supports.

Thanks to ongoing funding, CLBC has been able to fund more services each year and make key improvements. To support a goal of improved relationships, CLBC last year launched a more user friendly web site, as well as a series of new welcome workshops for individuals and families. CLBC is also working on projects to improve services for individuals with mental health and other complex challenges, to increase employment rates, and to improve contracting processes and the monitoring of services.

To learn about CLBC’s priorities for 2019, you can read CLBC’s Mandate Letter here. You can also read CLBC’s Annual Service Plan here, and CLBC’s Strategic Plan here.

 

for more detail go to the bc budget website for details click here

Here a PDF version of highlights in today’s BC Budget update click on picture below 

 

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