The B.C. government is giving a $300-dollar subsidy to low-income residents and people on disability assistance.
Minister of Poverty Reduction Shane Simpson says people will have that added to their monthly cheques in April, May and June.
He expects about 265,000 people will be receiving that extra money.
“Today for example, a single person on disability benefits today receives $1,183.42. So they will get an additional $300 on top of that. A single mom with two kids would receive $1,609.03, and they would receive the additional $300 dollars on top of that.”
Simpson also says those people will have $52 added to their cheques as well if they have a bus pass, because busses aren’t charging fares. He says that will continue each month if busses are continuing to not charge fares.
“And we continue to work with our federal counterparts to look at where there are gaps and where people may be struggling for supports. There’s always discussions going on, I know, to try to close those gaps.”
Simpson also says people can still get these provincial supports won’t have deductions taken off their cheques for Employment Insurance for the next three months.