$300 monthly aid announced for British Columbians on income, disability assistance during COVID-19

The provincial government is temporarily adding $300 to themonthly amountpeople on income and disability assistance receive to help them during theCOVID-19 crisis.

The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction said roughly 250,000 people are automatically eligible to receive the benefiton top of their regular support cheques for the months of April, May and June.

Minister Shane Simpson said the benefit will comewith the next round of cheques on April 22, with no application required.

"We know that COVID-19 is having a serious impact on all British Columbians. We know that people are concerned and they're scared. We know that people who are living in poverty and living vulnerable are even more scared and concerned as they move forward," Simpson said Thursday.

The supplement will also go to low-income seniors who receive the B.C. Senior's Supplement and people who receive incomeor disability assistance and live in a special care facility.

A single person on disability currently receives $1,183 a month, which will become$1,483 after adding the new supplement. A single parentwith two children currently sees$1,609 a month, receiving$1,909 with the benefit.

In a separate measure, the ministry saidpeople who receiveassistance from the province will not seemoney clawed back from their cheques if they qualify for the new $2,000 Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).

Meanwhile, those on assistance who are part of the B.C. Bus Pass Program will have a $52 transportation supplementadded to their income chequesasB.C. Transit and TransLinkare not currently charging bus passengers. That money will also be included on the next cheque and will continue until the companies reinstate fares.

The measures are part of the province's $5-billion financial aid plan to help British Columbians as the pandemic paralyzes the economy.

Theplan included a monthly rebate for rentersup to $500 a month.Simpson said those on disability and income assistance will not be eligible for thatgrant.

The minister acknowledged there are people who might not have internet access to learn more about financial aid availableto them because public spaces, likecommunity centres and libraries, have been shut down.

In those cases, Simpson said the ministry is asking the public not to come to their offices for help, but instead reach out by phone by calling 1-866-866-0800. He said the ministry is also working with local agencies who directly support people on assistance to connect them with support.