Still left behind : Comparison of living costs and income assistance in British Columbia

Total incomes for households on income assistance (including the federal Canada Child Tax Benefit and the Universal Child Care Benefit) meet only 45% of the monthly expenses for a single adult; 72% of the expenses of a single parent with a three-year-old; 46% of a childless 10 still left behind couple’s expenses; 62% of the expenses of a single parent with a teenager; and 70% of the expenses of a [...] The purpose of the reports is to determine whether the benefit levels established for temporary assistance are sufficient to meet the monthly costs of living. [...] The conclusion of Chapter 3 examines the adequacy of the support allowance by comparing the costs of living to the current support allowance available through BC Employment and Assistance and the federal child benefits. [...] In the 2007 Provincial Budget, the government announced the first increases to welfare incomes since the early 1990s for those in the Expected to Work category. [...] The BC Employment and Assistance rate tables indicate that “in addition to the support allowance, families receive $123.50 for each child to the age of 19 years, under the BC Family Bonus and ministry top-up if the Family Bonus is less than $123.50 or the child is ineligible for the Family Bonus.” Because the BC Family Bonus has been fully offset by the NCBS and the BC government no longer contrib