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Change to disability assistance delivery
Starting Dec. 1, couples where both members receive disability assistance will receive the same support allowance as they would if they were two single people, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction announced.
In addition, beginning Jan. 1, 2026, couples where one partner has the ‘Persons with Disabilities’ designation will see increased annual earnings exemptions.
“We want people to have the supports they need to live with dignity and independence, so we’re making a change for couples on disability assistance,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “To make people feel safe, welcome and included, we’re changing the spousal rule so that couples receiving disability assistance will receive the same support allowance as they would if they were two single people. I’m grateful to the self-advocates who led this call for change.”
The changes fulfil commitments made in the 2024 Poverty Reduction Strategy, 2024 B.C. NDP election platform and the Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord (CARGA) between the B.C. NDP and the B.C. Green Party caucuses signed in December 2024, a ministry media release said.
More than 6,500 families will benefit from the change to equalize support rates and more than 4,300 families will benefit from the expanded earning exemptions, ensuring they can retain more of their income.
The changes will be automatic for eligible families, with no application required.
What’s changing for couples on disability assistance
Right now, if you’re receiving provincial disability assistance and you enter a relationship with someone who also receives assistance, your combined support payments are less than what you received as two single people.
Starting Dec. 1, that clawback is being eliminated. Your support amount won’t be reduced just because you’re in a relationship.
For example, under the new rules, for payments issued for the December 2025 benefit month you could get up to:
* $1,483.50 if you are single;
* $2,662.00 if you and your spouse have Persons with Disabilities designation and have no children;
* $1,828.50 if you are a single parent with one child;
* $2,433.50 if you or your spouse have Persons with Disabilities designation and one child.
In addition, starting Jan. 1, 2026, the Annual Earnings Exemption (AEE) for couples and two-parent families where only one person has the Persons with Disabilities designation will increase from $19,440 to $23,400.
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