I want answers to my case from the Minister and the Premier, because this is wrong. This is a clear example of the Ministry mistreating people with disabilities period !
2014-03-09
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Get on board...In case some of you have not heard this month the province granted $100,000 to CLBC candidates.
Thank you for the funding from the province of $100,000 to CLBC candidates. Although, split between 3 region and $2500 maximum per person it works out to helping about 13 people per region. My best wishes to all those who will get chosen to better their lives. My lad has been on the waiting list for CLBC since October 2013. Turning 18 years old this September he sits still for a whole year due to no funding. What is the solution for him?
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2014-03-09
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I wonder why it is that people who smoke and are on assistance can get a choice of two stop smoking med/drugs paid for completely by the government as long as they sign up for the government's stop-smoking program, but those of us who don't smoke cannot get the MNS in order to get healthy. Smoking is a choice, eating is not. That is, if we want to live!
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2014-03-09
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I am both a person with a disability and a service provider (social worker).
Here are my main suggestions for personal supports:
1. Raise the PWD rates.
2. Don't deduct CPPd from PWD cheques.
3. Base access to the provincial bus pass on income, not where it comes from. People on CPPd are also low income and have other expenses not covered for those on PWD.
4. Ensure that everyone in society has access to basic dental, eye glasses, medical equipment, prescriptions, etc. Although there would be a higher cost up front, the savings in hospital visits and stays, major illnesses and quality of life enhancements would more than pay for the program over time.
5. Improve home support services to include basics like laundry and housekeeping. Having a clean home is essential for health, and someone who needs assistance with getting out of bed or getting dressed probably also needs help with housekeeping.
6. Reinstate the EATI program but don't tie it to employment.
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2014-03-09
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Agreed
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2014-03-10
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I met a PWD person that applied 3 times for the MNS before getting it, never give up.
The MNS is either $165. or $0. so even if you can prove you need $150. extra per month then you should get the full amount.
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2014-03-10
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Increasing the substandard $906 monthly income amount would be an important first step in supporting PWD's to live a life worth living.
Home care should be provided, including housekeeping and meal preparation, not just for personal hygiene.
Please renew EATI so more people can benefit from it.
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2014-03-10
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Medical supplements should be expanded. Instead things have been cut over the years.
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2014-03-10
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Reading this I think, so did the doctor not fill out the form efficiently and effectively?
Did MSDSI over-ride the doctors prescription?
How can it be that someone with the same condition I have, but lives in Vancouver, receives a benefit I cannot.
I have looked at others medical records, how doctors fill out these forms. Some do a sterling job. Others not so much.
Then, there is the layer of MSDSI processing these requests!
Then, there is the layer of appeal, and then the layer of tribunal review!
I prefer to do paid work doing such administrative tasks, not spend my time trying to navigate a medical profession and an income assistance service sector. However, I don't have a lot of choice.
This speaks to uneven and unequal access.
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2014-03-11
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I am writing this both as a person with a mental health disability and an advocate for people with disabilities.
In terms of physical disabilities, I am surprised and concerned everyday when I see how many physician-recommended medications or devices are not covered by MSP, PharmaCare, or MSDSI. Seniors in particular, who require multiple medications, and those who are not on MSO, are left managing the cost of medications themselves and if they can't afford them - too bad. This is unacceptable.
For people with mental health disabilities, the problem is even more severe as services required by them are simply not seen in the same light as devices for people with physical disabilities. Counselling, outreach services, and accommodation in government offices for people who have difficulties using electronic devices are not seen as "personal supports", despite the fact that they will save a lot in medical fees and incarcerations and policing fees.
Suggestions: expand para-medical services such as outreach, life skills, peer support, counselling. These cost much less than medical services but have the option of saving much more.
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2014-03-11
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Your comment is awaiting moderation.
PLEASE OBSERVE THAT MANY HERE ARE EXPRESSING A NEED FOR FOOD AND PROPER SHELTER. NON OF THESE PROGRAMS WILL WORK IF PWD ARE SICK. I AM AMAZED SO MANY ARE TALKING ABOUT HIS ISSUE AND NOT LISTENING OR CHANGING ANYTHING.
I am writing this post because the government asked all that are on a disability to have a say in a forum : whitepaper for people with disabilities:
Welcome to the Conversation
Whether living independently, landing that dream job, mastering life skills or competing in the Paralympics, people with disabilities are living independent, full lives – but there is more that can be done to reduce barriers and increase accessibility.
Whether you’re someone living with a disability, or a friend, family member, neighbour, employer or co-worker, you’re invited to share your thoughts about how government, businesses and communities can better support people with disabilities to fully participate in our communities.
• In-person community consultations began January 20th; you can sign up for a session in a location near you.
• If you are unable to attend an in-person community consultation session please visit the participation page to discover the other options for having your say.
The consultation will close at 4 pm on March 11, 2014.
Your comments and ideas will inform the development of a White Paper – a document that will reflect the voice of British Columbians. This White Paper will form the foundation of a Summit to be held in June 2014 on the issues facing people with disabilities in British Columbia.
On all the forums, there were comments regarding food, housing, accessibility. I have only one chance to comment on my circumstances and more than likely many more who were not able to be heard.
Clearly, a society that chooses to expect persons with disabilities to exist on rates well below the poverty level is not a just or caring society. The PWD rates need to be raised. It would be really be nice to have an income that matched inflation. $900 is not enough to live a comfortable life with food that is not processed, processed is cheaper than fresh. The idea of addressing nutrition more closely is suggested. I have a double whammy due to chronic depression, bi-polar and hepatitis. The medication I take is not able to alleviate any symptoms because it is supposed to be taken with FOOD, which I do not have, thus putting me deeper into illness. When I can’t stand it anymore I go to the local FAW, and for the cost of humiliation, degrading myself and begging, you get a whopping $20 being considered a crisis grant to help for the month, and if you ask too many times your monthly cheque is not deposited and give out your money so they can monitor your spending. We with disabilities are in CRISIS and no matter what we say, what we ask, how we beg, we cannot even get our most basic needs taken care of. I volunteer in my community once a week, try to do gardening and grow my food as best I can, and the fact that I am a senior and have contributed for a very long time, does not sit well at all. This province not only treats its people with disabilities with distain, they ignore their senior’s needs as well. I never thought I would be witness to this kind treatment as a human being in this supposed enlightened society. I have been on a disability for 10 years; I have $900 to cover rent, electric, phone and the cost of transportation. What is left is frightening, because it has to last the entire month, and that does not include aspirin, toothpaste, milk for the month, bread (fyi: is now $3 a loaf for healthy bread or $2 and what you get is white bread that when you squeeze it between your fingers, is like glue) for the month, fruit or vegetables, a movie, cold medicine, etc.etc. I visit the Food Bank weekly and try to access the services of the community, but without funding there is little else we can do to help ourselves. The Food Bank tries as hard as they can, but suffice to say it only gives enough food for 2 days and most of it is outdated, sugary, and impossible to eat if you are struggling with medication. I am so disappointed that this government chooses to ignore this problem, and to have me STARVE. I have requested a provincial food supplement to have more nutritious food, when I took it to clerk at the FAW I asked her long they would take to get an answer when could I receive it. She told me it takes THREE MONTHS to process the form, check things over and decide if your eligible or not. If you disagree, you may have an ombudsman that will fight for your right, but the quirk is you will still wait for food during the months its in appeal. Having these discussions is as ridiculous as it comes. You, the government can at least put out a paper and say anything you like about disabled persons on a really fixed income. At least you can justify that. I did not wake up in the morning and say, gee, I want to be on disability. I do not have family or large amounts of friends that can help support me, I do not drink, party, do drugs, I can’t afford cable tv. It would be an incredible help if someone could figure out a way to provide basic needs (feeding us) for the disabled and seniors in need. No one is listening and no one is trying to provide a solution to this problem, just sweeping us under the carpet and keeping us quiet and being a statistic. I appreciate this particular forum to express my frustration and disgust with the current provincial government and the mp who oversees distribution of funds to us. To be truthful, I am tired of being treated like a criminal that is trying to cheat or rob the government when I’m in need. I AM IN NEED NOW!!
Reply ↓
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2014-03-11
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I am in full agreement with the comments of the previous participants regarding these abysmally inferior income support rates, they are an Achilles heel on all of us as persons with disabilities. As a sixty four year old senior person with a disability who has been on a mandatory pension since 2010, I have lost 12,550.82 in extra pension benefits because it was deducted dollar for dollar from the above mentioned supports every month. Welcome to British Columbia, "The Best Place on Earth". It would be nice if I could have all that money returned with interest and penalties for cruel and unusual punishment, this government could take it out of the forty percent pay raises they gave themselves out of taxpayers money. I would invite them to dinner to discuss this matter personally, but I only have bread and water.
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2014-03-11
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One thing I saw on the Yukon Government's social assistance website was that they issue a laundry supplement for people who have to pay to wash their clothes (e.g. people living in apartment buildings or people who rely on laundromats). I forget off the top of my head what the amounts are for the different family unit sizes, but I think this is something that should be implemented in BC as well. I spend $20.00 to $25.00 a month washing and drying my clothes, and that's just for one person. Yet, my support amount on my PWD cheque is the same as it was when I didn't have to pay for laundry. In other words, my cost of living goes up, but my support cheque remains the same. If BC wants to break down barriers for people with disabilities and wants to make them feel more welcome, than this is something that can easily be done. In fact, it should be done for Income Assistance clients as well. If a person lives in an apartment, they can have the landlord write a note saying how much the machines charge the tenant for each load of wash or dry, and then figure out whether the person has a job that would require more loads of laundry than average. Based on that information, a worker could calculate what a client should receive in a laundry supplement each month. If their situation changes and they no longer need to use coin operated washers and dryers, then they would no longer receive the laundry supplement. Little things like this can go a long way to helping people with disabilities feel more indpendent, as they're less likely to have borrow money from friends and family members. As someone who has had to do that many times, I assure you it doesn't make me feel good inside knowing that I can't always support myself financially, despite being grown up and mentally and physically able to do so.
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2014-03-11
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CIVIL RIGHTS NOW PROPOSAL
What’s the problem?
Disabled residents of British Columbia are vulnerable to a provision of community or institutional care that falls below a generally acceptable standard, a situation that does not allow them to live with confidence in safety, with freedom and dignity. The main reason for this is the excessive amount of discretion available to government and contractors respecting the services provided to disabled people.
Our proposed remedy:
Two statutes: the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act, and the Civil Rights of Persons in Community Care Act.
The Community Care (Direct Payments) Act will provide access to portable, individualized funding for all disabled people, at their discretion, to use for their own personal care. Once eligibility is confirmed, payments will be made directly to the disabled person or their representative from the Ministry of Finance.
The Civil Rights of Persons in Community Care Act, which is to be administered by the Ministry of Attorney General, is designed to enable investigations and possible civil action resulting from a breach of Charter rights of disabled persons by government or contractors.
Rationale:
In British Columbia, people with disabilities living in community or institutional care are one of the most over-regulated and poorly served groups. The main reason for this situation is a long history of over-bearing bureaucracy which operates arbitrarily and without effective control and direction from our elected representatives.
Ultimately this trend will only be reversed by “root and branch” reform of the administrative delivery model respecting the provision of services to persons with disabilities. Central to this issue is the determination of eligibility and entitlement. It’s here that excessive bureaucratic discretion can lead to arbitrary and undesired outcomes.
Our proposed Community Care (Direct Payments) Act is a necessary first step in that it introduces an element of market discipline to the provision of these services. Our intent is that the person with a disability or their representative will be able to exercise effective control and direction over service providers through the power of consumer choice.
The original concept of the Ministry of Health’s CSIL (Choices in Supported Independent Living) points in the right direction. However, since delivery was made the responsibility of unaccountable regional health authorities this program appears to have been undermined.
Another example of bureaucratic over-reach can be seen in the decision, made in November, 2009, by the Ministry of Children and Families to cancel direct payments to parents of autistic children respecting the provision of treatment funding.
Community Care (Direct Payments) Act implementation:
One of the major hurdles to implementing any individualized funding in British Columbia has been bureaucratic resistance. Therefore the success of implementing the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act will be in the details.
In order to encourage up-take we recommend the following:
the program must be promoted, made understandable and easy to use
the application process must be straight-forward there must be financial incentives to encourage use.
Our proposed Civil Rights of Persons in Community Care Act is intended to meet the challenge of there being “no right without a remedy”. We believe it will provide the provincial government with a citizen-initiated legal tool to enforce and uphold an appropriate standard of care for all people with disabilities living in British Columbia.
We believe these complementary statutes will provide an effective legal foundation for persons with disabilities to gain access to some of the same rights as currently enjoyed by other British Columbians.
For more information contact:
Civil Rights Now!
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B.C. Disability White Paper Consultation (December 3, 2013 – March 11, 2014) – Personal Supports, Aids and Devices Page
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