Just this morning, the provincial government of British Columbia announced that a one-time cash payment of $430 will be given to some people, which will be deposited into the bank account of the recipient along with this month's regular RAP or SAFER payment.
The $430 is mainly aimed at low-income seniors, as well as some low-income rental families and individuals, and it is estimated that about 25,000 people in the province will be eligible.
"This is an additional benefit based on the RAP and SAFER programs, and an additional 4,800 seniors in B.C. alone will receive this cash support," said Ravi Kahlon, BC Housing Minister. In addition, the SACER program will give some beneficiaries an extra $110 per month. ”
Specifically, the income limit for SACER will be increased from $33,000 to $37,240, and the average monthly rental subsidy for beneficiaries will be increased from $200 to about $310. Currently, there are about 20,000 BC seniors enrolled in the SAFER program.
"You can imagine the pressure on low-income people, families and the elderly," Caron said, "We are optimizing the subsidy measures to get them more money." ”
"It's going to be paid through the $12.3 million in federal government from the Canada Housing Benefit, which is the money that we have available and doesn't bring additional tax revenue to the people," Caron explained. ”
SAFER program
SAFER计划是为了让加拿大老年租客能改善生活质量的重要举措，全称是BC Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters。
Applicants must meet these criteria:
Age greater than 60 years;
Have lived in B.C. continuously for more than 1 year;
The applicant and partner must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or refugee;
The rent paid exceeds 30% of the income;
If you are single, you must have a monthly income of less than $2,550, and if you are a couple, you must have a monthly income of less than $2,750.
You cannot apply if you meet one of the following criteria:
Living in a nursing home funded by the Provincial Department of Health;
living in a cooperative house;
You or a family member is receiving a BC Income Supplement;
Be a family-sponsored immigrant and the sponsorship period has not expired.
The RAP program, or Rental Assistance Program, referred to as the "Rental Assistance Program", provides temporary accommodation for some newcomers and refugees, provides airport pick-up services, provides basic life skills training in Canada, assists in finding long-term housing, etc., and the number of people who meet the requirements is much smaller than SASER.
77-year-old forced to find a job, putting Canada "humiliated"
A series of benefits specifically for seniors is rare in the history of British Columbia, and even the whole country. Once upon a time, Canada was also known as a retirement paradise, but with the soaring housing prices, it is almost unrealistic to live a good life with a pension, and the queue for free nursing homes is also very long.
In particular, a report in February was enough to "humiliate" Canada and make provincial and municipal governments sigh: 77-year-old Janet Brush in Nova Scotia plans to return to the workforce, because half of her current income is spent on rent, which makes other daily expenses stretched.
"I don't want to be homeless when I'm almost 80, it's scary," says insecure Janet Brush, "I'm looking for a part-time job, but I have limited stamina, so I have to rely on my head." ”
Claudia Chender, the leader of Nova Scotia's NDP, called on Governor Tim Houston at the time to "provide more financial help to local residents, especially the elderly, such as lowering utility bills, eliminating license plate renewal fees, and so on." ”
Some people may say: Canadians generally like to exchange large for small, such as selling a large house and changing a small apartment when they retire, and the extra money is more than enough for retirement.
But this is a typical "outdated view", you must know that it is getting more and more difficult to buy a house, and the old Canadians in the past still have "big" to change, but what about the old Canadians in the future? Renting a house for a lifetime is not alarmist.
Since David Yin took office, he has issued money many times
There are indeed endless complaints about the NDP government, such as "robbing the rich and helping the poor" and "stubbornly conservative", but at least from the perspective of distributing money, since David Yin took office, the people of the province have indeed received various subsidies and tax refunds many times. Not only the elderly and low-income people, but also ordinary families have benefited many times.
In early 2024, more than 2 million households and individuals in B.C. received a third Climate Action Rebate, with up to $893.5 for four-person families and up to $447 for single individuals, more than double the 2022 grant.
BC's goal is to continue to lower the bar so that climate action rebates reach 80% of households by 2030, making them affordable and understandable to more people.
2023 is the year with the most money.
Last July, B.C. announced a 10 percent increase in the BC Family Benefit, which would give a family of four an extra $250 a year, and a single-parent family with one child would receive an extra $650 a year, which would be available to three-quarters of B.C. families.
Also last July, B.C. also issued a one-time grocery rebate (Grocery Rebate), with an investment of more than 2.5 billion, so that a family of four can get up to $467 and the elderly can get an average of $225;
GST and HST refunds have also been increased, with a maximum of $467 for singles, $612 for married people, and $161 for each child under the age of 19, depending on family size and income.
Although in the face of huge housing prices and price pressures, there are still many people who feel that these payments are just a drop in the bucket, but for some people who are really in prison, each payment can be regarded as "life-saving money".