The Minister of Health and Social Services, Honourable Mildred Dover, today announced three significant increases in the level of assistance provided to social assistance clients.
Effective January 1, 2000, the monthly allowance for food will increase by ten percent. That represents an increase of about $50 per month for a family of four.
The School Allowance will be doubled so that two payments will be made each year, rather than the present single payment in August. The school allowance is $75 for elementary school children and $100 for students in grades seven to twelve.
In addition, the food allowance for pregnant women will increase ten percent.
Minister Dover advised that government indicated in the Throne Speech that it would conduct a review of social assistance levels. "While that is not fully complete, we have determined that an increase in both the food and school allowances are appropriate, and we wanted to take immediate action rather than waiting for the full review," she said.
The minister advised that some assistance levels have not been increased since 1992. "Everyone can appreciate that costs have risen over that period of time, and in some cases the increase is long overdue. The school allowance is of special importance to families with young children and the fact we will now be making two payments is more in keeping with the reality of the school year."
The Minister said once the preliminary work on the review indicated a need for increases in the food and school allowance she opted to seek an immediate increase, took the matter to the Provincial Cabinet yesterday and it was approved.
The total cost of the investments is approximately $1.5 million.