The B.C. government has fast-tracked increases to the school start-up supplement so income and disability assistance clients — and now hardship assistance clients — with children in school can receive the extra money in time for the start of the school year.

The school start-up supplement is provided to assist with extra costs associated with a dependent child’s schooling, such as school fees and supplies. Families on assistance will now receive $100 for every child aged five to 11 (up from $84) and $175 for every child 12 and over (up from $116). As well, the school start-up supplement is being extended to children on hardship assistance.

Payment will be on the August assistance cheque issued at the end of July and is expected to benefit approximately 23,000 children this school year.

For more information on these changes to income assistance policies, visit: www.eia.gov.bc.ca/clientinfo/index.htm.

— Submitted