INCREASED BENEFIT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The Barbados Council for the disabled welcomes Government’s initiative to address the inequality in the benefit system.

An increase from $33.00 to $63.00 per week in the welfare benefits for the severely disabled announced by the Prime Minister in this year’s economic and financial Policy would certainly make a difference in the lives of the 2,417 recipients with disabilities.

The Council appreciates that the challenges faced by some persons who have not contributed to a pension scheme because of their disability or for health reasons are finally being recognised. Persons with disabilities have the same basic rights and needs as everyone, but because of their challenges they also have additional expenses and often limited resources for support. The increase to $63.00 will no doubt give them some level of independence.

A 110% increase in anybody’s income would normally be viewed as extraordinary, however, given that the recipients are still well below the poverty-line, and there will still be adults with disabilities that would be assessed as ineligible for benefits, much remains to be done.

The PM stated a“to move them up an income level where they are no longer below the poverty line as soon as practicable” is a much-appreciated commitment.

The Barbados Council for the disabled welcomes Government’s initiative to address the inequality in the benefit system.
Barbados Council for the Disabled.