Briefing note on amending social assistance legislation to support women’s financial independence

In September 2016, we submitted a briefing note to the BC government calling for changes to the Employment Assistance Act and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act that would support women’s financial independence, self-determination in relationships, and ability to flee abusers. We called for revisions to the current broad definitions of “spouse” and “dependent” in the legislation which create barriers to accessing benefits which disproportionately affect women. Applicants for income assistance and disability benefits should not be asked to depend on others financially to meet their basic survival needs when no actual support is available to meet these needs.

Read our briefing note. (PDF, 347 KB)