Victoria Tuesday, December 8, 2020 11:30 AM
B.C. Recovery Benefit and B.C. Recovery Supplement
B.C. Recovery Benefit
Starting Dec. 18, 2020, up to 90% of adults in B.C. will be able to apply for the B.C. Recovery Benefit online. Those needing assistance over the phone can complete their application with an agent starting Dec. 21, 2020.
To apply and be eligible for the one-time, tax-free benefit, people must:
- be a resident of B.C. on Dec. 18, 2020;
- be at least 19 years old on Dec. 18, 2020;
- have filed a 2019 income tax return;
- have their 2019 income tax notice of assessment, and if applicable, their spouse’s 2019 income tax notice of assessment;
- have their social insurance number;
- have their direct deposit information; and
- have their B.C. driver’s licence.
Applying online is the fastest way to receive the benefit.
British Columbians can apply through one of the following:
- starting Dec. 18, visiting: gov.bc.ca/recoverybenefit
- starting Dec. 21, agents will be available by phone to assist people who need help applying, including those who do not have internet access.
- starting Dec. 21, phone-based support will be available at 1 833 882-0020 toll-free within North America, Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific time).
Early next year, the Province will introduce a modified application process. This will ensure those on disability and income assistance who do not have banking services or who have barriers to filing income taxes can apply and receive their benefit quickly at a time of year when people need help the most.
Everyone is encouraged to file their income taxes. By filing, people can receive benefits and credits they might not know they are eligible for.
It is anticipated that a majority of eligible applicants will receive payment within five business days.
For applications that require manual review to determine eligibility, it will take longer for payments to be made, depending on the volumes of applications that require manual review.
The Service BC Provincial Contact Centre has hired 150 new staff to answer questions from the public about the benefit and help people complete applications. However, telephone call volumes may be high and wait times may be longer than normal during the first few weeks. People are encouraged to apply online to avoid any potential wait times.
People have until June 30, 2021, to apply for the B.C. Recovery Benefit.
$150-monthly B.C. Recovery Supplement
- The supplement will be provided to people who receive income assistance, disability assistance and to low-income seniors receiving the B.C. Senior’s Supplement and income assistance and disability recipients residing in special-care facilities.
- The supplement will be automatically added to cheques issued in January, February and March 2021.
- This supplement supports more than 200,000 people, including more than 23,000 families with children, as well as 60,000 low-income seniors.
To apply for this benefit have to go to this link information how to apply for the benefit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/economic-recovery/recovery-benefit
This on BC Govt website go to the link here
Join Selina Robinson, Minister of Finance, for an announcement on continued support for people as BC works toward COVID-19 recovery
Inclusion BC has details on this plain language in what getting with this check it out
New: BC Covid Recovery Benefit and Changes to PWD Supplement
The Province of BC has announced a new BC Recovery Benefit. Amounts are determined on a sliding scale, based on income. More information here.
- People receiving PWD benefits are eligible to apply and the amount will not be clawed back based on your existing benefits.
- Single people earning less than $62,500 qualify for a $500 payment and individuals earning up to $87,500 will qualify for a reduced amount.
- Families with incomes under $125,000 will be eligible to receive $1,000 and families earning up to $175,000 will qualify for a reduced amount.
- For people currently receiving the $300 PWD Covid-19 supplement, this amount will be reduced to $150/month from January – March. The reduced $150 amount will be added to your PWD cheque automatically. You do not have to apply for this.
- With these changes, people on PWD who apply for the BC Recovery Benefit will get about the same amount in total for the next 3 months as if the $300 PWD supplement was continued:
- * So instead of: $300 + $300 + $300 = $900
* …you will get: $500 + $150 + $150 + $150 = $950
- * So instead of: $300 + $300 + $300 = $900
- The new recovery benefit is not automatic, you will need to apply.
Inclusion BC is glad to see an extension of benefits for people with disabilities but we are disappointed that the disability top-up amount was reduced and the remaining amount (recovery benefit) is subject to an application process. The application process will reduce access for those who require additional support to apply or get caught up on their taxes.
There is no guarantee of an extension past March. The federal government recently announced plans for a Federal Disability Benefit, which we hope will address the grossly inadequate assistance rates for people with disabilities.
This on Inclusion bc Website go to the link here