Re: RE: Poverty in Canada.
This point is interesting in that the only people who can't keep extra money they get are the poorest!
Sure, I understand that if they get their own money, they must not take welfare, but as Rev said most of these labeled scammers are on the cusp - who would begrude even $500 or $1000 a few times a year to people getting welfare? They will need it for something, and it is not like it is steady income. I think that rule is too strict.
What really blows is the the DISABLED are under the same 'welfare' system, at least in BC and Alberta. This means that they too have to give back [or give out of next month's cheque] most of any gifts, earned income, etc. too. Their suituation is for a lifetime remember, no savings allowed.
Some disabled people are physically able to earn money, they just cant hold a job with regular hours and full shifts due to their disability.
Many disabled can't physically earn anything, but they might get income, maybe inheritance or friends or family, a lotto ticket - would you begrudge them buying a $1 lotto ticket? - It is a shame they can't keep it.
After just a few months on the "under $1000/mo income" like most disabled on provincial government welfare recieve, there are those expenses that come along and blow the budget - No new clothes for years on end.... the TV quits after 10 years... dental work not covered... cars are impossible to have, despite their practicality for people with mobility problems. $1000 doesn't go far.
Geez, they can't have any nestegg savings either. To qualify for disability or welfare is the same rule - , you have to have spent all you have first, no savings allowed. Some got to keep their mortgage/house , but no cash or investments, assets [other than a house] have a maximum value too, cars can be worth no more than $5000. Its true.
One more point - the MLA's salary raise in BC includes about $75,000 in pension benefits increase, and a salary increase of $11,000 per year.
Just the salary portion, just the increase, is more than their disabled citizen's entire annual income. And they don't get to keep any increases to that!
Reverend Blair said:
This point is interesting in that the only people who can't keep extra money they get are the poorest!
Sure, I understand that if they get their own money, they must not take welfare, but as Rev said most of these labeled scammers are on the cusp - who would begrude even $500 or $1000 a few times a year to people getting welfare? They will need it for something, and it is not like it is steady income. I think that rule is too strict.
What really blows is the the DISABLED are under the same 'welfare' system, at least in BC and Alberta. This means that they too have to give back [or give out of next month's cheque] most of any gifts, earned income, etc. too. Their suituation is for a lifetime remember, no savings allowed.
Some disabled people are physically able to earn money, they just cant hold a job with regular hours and full shifts due to their disability.
Many disabled can't physically earn anything, but they might get income, maybe inheritance or friends or family, a lotto ticket - would you begrudge them buying a $1 lotto ticket? - It is a shame they can't keep it.
After just a few months on the "under $1000/mo income" like most disabled on provincial government welfare recieve, there are those expenses that come along and blow the budget - No new clothes for years on end.... the TV quits after 10 years... dental work not covered... cars are impossible to have, despite their practicality for people with mobility problems. $1000 doesn't go far.
Geez, they can't have any nestegg savings either. To qualify for disability or welfare is the same rule - , you have to have spent all you have first, no savings allowed. Some got to keep their mortgage/house , but no cash or investments, assets [other than a house] have a maximum value too, cars can be worth no more than $5000. Its true.
One more point - the MLA's salary raise in BC includes about $75,000 in pension benefits increase, and a salary increase of $11,000 per year.
Just the salary portion, just the increase, is more than their disabled citizen's entire annual income. And they don't get to keep any increases to that!
