A Thirty Year Retrospective on the Income Adequacy of Canadian Provincial Social Assistance Payments to Non-Institutionalized Disabled Adults
Abstract
An analysis of social assistance programs for non-institutionalized disabled adults between 1984 and 2014 found inconsistent income levels being provided between provinces. In less than half of the four family constructions created, a single disabled person, a married couple both disabled, a single parent with two children and a married couple, one disabled, one care taking and two children, did income exceed the after tax Statistics Canada Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO). There were more scenarios in 2014 than in 1984 where income exceeded LICO but these arose because of the additional federal child support payments provided to families with children, a new initiative aimed at attempting to eliminate childhood poverty in Canada. The analysis also found that the larger the community the greater the likelihood of the disabled individual living in poverty. While improvements have occurred over the past 30 years in some jurisdictions overall being disabled and unable to work equates to living in poverty in Canada.
Résumé
Une analyse des programmes d’assistance sociale pour les adultes handicapés vivant hors établissement entre 1984 et 2014 a indiqué des niveaux de revenus inconsistants entre les provinces. Dans les quatre catégories de familles établies — soit une personne handicapée célibataire, un couple de deux personnes handicapées mariées, un parent célibataire avec deux enfants et un couple marié dont un handicapé et un aidant avec deux enfants — moins de la moitié avait un revenu dépassant le seuil de faible revenue après impôt (SFR) fixé par Statistique Canada. Il y avait plus de cas où le revenu dépassait le SFR en 2014 qu’en 1984, mais cela était dû aux allocations fédérales additionnelles sur les pensions alimentaires pour enfants attribuées aux familles avec enfants, une nouvelle initiative dans le but d’éliminer la pauvreté infantile au Canada. L’analyse a aussi révélé que plus la population est grande, plus les chances d’une personne handicapée à vivre dans la pauvreté augmentent. Bien que la situation se soit améliorée dans certaines juridictions ces 30 dernières années, avoir un handicap et être incapable de travailler sont synonyme de pauvreté au Canada.
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