JFSA Concerned with Provincial Cuts to PWD Funding

March 29, 2010 Prepared by Jewelles Smith, MA
New regulations that were announced on March 4, 2010, will cause serious challenges for people living on fixed incomes. Beginning April 1 2010, individuals with PWD (Provincial Disability) designation--a group that already struggles to meet their basic needs--will face increased hardship. With a decrease in provincial funding towards these programs, service agencies like JFSA will be called upon even more so to cover the costs of people’s basic needs. The proposed cuts amount to $25 million over the next two years.

Between September 2009 and March 2010, JFSA had 310 open cases in Basic Resources. Of these open cases, 170 (or 55%) accessed financial services. The total amount of financial assistance given out to clients was $41,988.69 for medical and health expenses. Currently, JFSA has 97 clients with PWD status and 37 clients on regular assistance, 79% of our clients who have accessed our financial aid to date could be affected by these budget cuts. Of the 103 individuals who received housing assistance within the time period, 30 have PWD status, 22 receive income assistance, and 4 rely on employment insurance.

The BC government has a history of publicly presenting “generous” increases while quietly cutting funds behind the scenes. What is missing from the present budget proposal are the millions of dollars of cuts to programs over the past year, including: July 2009—the Permanent Disability Benefits Program, the Debt Reduction in Repayment program, the B.C. Loan Reduction for Residential Care Aide and Home Support Worker Program, Nurses Education Bursary, Health Care Bursary, Early Childhood Educator Loan Assistance Program, and the Premier's Excellence Award program, all quietly shut down; and in February 2010—$10 million was cut from the Ministry of Children and Families. And now these new regulations purported to save $25 million can be added to this list.

There will be cuts to funding for medical equipment and supplies include diagnostic devices, medical delivery systems, contraceptive devices and premade orthotics. There are new restrictions to repairing equipment as well as reductions for funding new equipment. Existing funding does not meet the costs of most equipment, therefore; further cuts will increase the burden on families, and charities to cover the shortfall.

Eligibility for the monthly nutritional supplement (MNS) will be even more difficult to qualify for, including changing the requirement from having one symptom or disorder to requiring a client to exhibit two symptoms from the list in order to qualify for the funding. The list of symptoms include: malnutrition, underweight status, significant weight loss, significant muscle mass loss, significant neurological degeneration, significant deterioration of a vital organ, and moderate to severe immune suppression. Currently 20 of our clients access this supplement.
Previously, individuals who were able to increase their income over the disability maximum were able to keep their medical benefits indefinitely (MBO). With the proposed budget, this will no longer be the case. People with PWD status who earn more than $30,000 annually may face immediate loss of benefits. Those who receive CPP disability benefits and individuals over 65 years old will have one year of benefits before they are cut. Medical expenses can be one of the most costly aspects of living with a disability. Medical expenses for some individuals can be hundreds of dollars (or more) a month. $30,000 per annum does not go far when covering these costs. The loss of these benefits may prevent some individuals from being able to seek work as the greater cost is just too much. Further, individuals may have to seek funding from charities and service agencies, or go without necessary medical items.

When the province cuts the $75 shelter allowance given to individuals who do not pay rent, including those who are homeless, JFSA can expect an increased need for emergency assistance. For people living on the street or couch-surfing, the $75 so-called “comfort” allowance paid for a portion of the necessities of life: food, basic clothing, phone, and bus fare to appointments. Not all people living in shelters are able to meet their dietary and health needs. Once again, charitable organizations are being expected to replace government services.

Communities can expect these cuts to medical and health services to people with disabilities will result in an increase in homelessness, illness and death as more people are forced to choose between paying rent, eating, or meeting their medical needs. JFSA is disappointed in these and other new regulations. If you share our concerns, please contact Minister Coleman, and your MLA. MLA contact information can be found at: www.leg.bc.ca/Mla/3-1-1.htm.

More information about these cuts can be found at:

“Province Protects Services for Low-Income Clients”. Ministry of Housing and Social Development. March 4, 2010. http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2010HSD0026-000219.htm and at http://www.bccpd.bc.ca/cutstomedical.htm.

For more information, please contact:

Jewelles Smith

Jewish Family Service Agency

Tel: 604 257 5151 ext. 223
Email: jsmith@jfsa.ca