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Premier Christy Clark announced an $5 million overhaul of B.C. semployment and disability assistance programs Monday in the firstplank of what she says is a newly-relaunched families first agenda. Clark boosted a variety of rules, allowing people on income anddisability support the chance to earn extra cash each month withoutendangering their provincial benefits. The changes will also extend the work-search requirements forfirst-time applicants to provincial benefits, requiring them tocomplete five weeks of job hunting instead of the current threeweeks. The idea is when people can work, we want them to work saidClark. The province will also make it mandatory for income or disabilityassistance clients to file annual federal income tax, which Clarksaid will potentially allow them access to millions in federalcredits that are going unclaimed. Income tax rebates would beexempt from provincial income limits and not hurt benefits. I believe these balanced changes will remove barriers toemployment and provide adequate support for those in need, saidClark. As well, the changes will let single parents (usually women)without residency status claim provincial income assistance, saidClark. The new rule is primarily designed to help women who enteredB.C. with a partner who had promised to sponsor their residence,but later had to flee an abusive relationship, or were left by thepartner, and are struggling with non-residency status. Clark said the announcement is the first of three pillars for a newfamilies first agenda that she intends to unveil in the comingweeks. The total changes will cost $5 million, Clark said. Otherhighlights include: Increase the school startup supplement to $100 for every childaged 5-11, and $175 for every child over 12. Provide access to dental services for children of families onhardship, to allow parents to take the kids for regular checkups. Allow child-benefit exemptions for families on hardship. Increasing the maximum top-up for the federal Family Bonusfrom $123.50, to $181.41. Exempting income-tax refunds Allowing a single person to retain assets, including cash, ofup to $2,000, with couples or families allowed $4,000 Single disability assistance clients have an asset limit,including cash, of $5,000, with couples or families allowed $10,000 Expected to Work clients will be able to keep a car valued upto $10,000. Income tax filing will now be mandatory, as of spring 2013,but benefits exempt from clawback. A community benefit fund willhelp first-time fax filers. Providing assistance for non-resident parents without statuswho are fleeing abuse People receiving disability assistance can keep up to $800 permonth and still receive their full benefits, a couple can keep upto $1,600 Flexibility to calculate earnings annually, rather thanmonthly. Waive the waiting period for claiming earnings exemptions forformer disability assistance clients who reapply. Increase the amount a person on disability can put in anon-discretionary trust account. A person on disability can now access up to $8,000 per yearfrom their trust account, double previous amount, and make theirown choices on how to use it to promote independence. A new $200 monthly earnings exemption for all expected-to-workclients. Extend work search for new applicants to five weeks, fromcurrent three weeks. Click here to read more stories from The Victoria Times Colonist. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as Led Light Strip Controller Manufacturer , China T5 LED Tubes for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Waterproof Rgb Led Strip.
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