Robin Loxton

In 1991 CMHA, BC Division, the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities, and the BC Association of Community Living got together to form a lobby group called Ad Hoc. The mission of Ad Hoc was to "advocate for fundamental reform of income support systems as they affect people with disabilities." The guiding principle was, "social support is a right and an investment in our future."

Over the next few years, Ad Hoc advocated for a broader definition of "disability" for persons on income assistance so that more people could qualify for higher benefits. In 1996, the Ministry of Human Resources introduced an "improved" definition of disability and a separate Disability Benefits Program Act under BC Benefits. Many of us in the community were pleased with these developments and were looking forward to more good news.

The good news did not happen. BC Benefits has proved to be a leaner and meaner system for persons needing income support. Many cutbacks have been introduced over the past two years, while the red tape has increased. The provincial government has defended these policy changes on the basis of federal funding cuts, or public opinion, or the need for individual accountability. Whatever the excuse, everyone on income assistance has been hit hard. But I believe the group that has been hardest hit is the mental health community.

I have been helping mental health consumers access income assistance benefits for the past ten years. Many of the hurdles people have to jump over to quality for various benefits are higher than ever before. One must prove to the Ministry that one is truly in need and that one has no alternative sources of income. Often applicants are told they have to obtain documentation and doctor's letters to support their requests for benefits, yet very little assistance is offered to help with this part of the process. If someone is not obeying the rules, then chances are that he/she will be investigated by Prevention, Compliance and Enforcement. Many folks reach the point where they are afraid to go to their local welfare office; some drop out or fall between the cracks.

As an advocate, I can assist some of the people some of the time. But my job is getting harder every day. When a level one disability benefits category was introduced 18 months ago it became more difficult for persons to get full disability benefits. No cost-of-living increases in the rates, including the comforts allowance, for over four years has meant that people can hardly afford the basics, while the Ministry has made it more difficult to get extra money. Meanwhile, demands made by Ministry staff to apply for CPP Disability benefits have caused stress and fear for individuals. I am left wondering what more bad news is yet to come.

The goal of welfare advocates has changed over the past few years. Our top priority is no longer to eradicate poverty and to improve our social safety net. Instead, we are in a defensive position -- we are fighting to help people hang on to what they have got and trying to make sure that they are not worse off.

There have been many studies to establish the correlation between mental wellness and poverty. Many mental health resources are provided because our social welfare system is inadequate. When the mental health services are not available, there is the food bank line and the charity group. If the food bank is not reached, there is the cold and brutal reality of the street.

Despite this sad state of affairs, I am aware that many folks do survive the system. But then I ask myself, 'is survival enough? What about human dignity and social support as a right and an investment in our future?' The Preamble to the Disability Benefits Program Act states that "disability benefits programs support the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities into the mainstream of the community and the enhancement of their quality of life." This is not happening. We should expect better.

I believe that it is still possible to make a difference by working together and advocating for positive change. Consumers, community organizations, family members and allies can influence public opinion and government policy. One of the good news items from the past few years has been the recognition of the importance of self-advocacy and community advocacy in consumers' lives. Let us build on this strength and lobby as individual and as communities for a better income support system. BC Benefits is not benefiting the mental health community.

Robin Loxton has been an advocate for 10 years. He currently works as a senior advocate for the Mental Health Empowerment Program at the Mental Patients Association and as the program director of the Advocacy Access Program at the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities.

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