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VICTORIA – British Columbians leaving income assistance for work are almost tripling their income, according to the Ministry of Human Resources’ third exit survey of 1,512 former clients who have been off assistance for six months.
“This survey continues the trend that sees the majority of clients moving into sustainable jobs, earning solid wages and becoming self-reliant,” said Human Resources Minister Murray Coell. “This is precisely the goal of B.C. Employment and Assistance: to assist people to move away from dependence and take control of their lives.”
Completed between October and December 2002, the survey found more than 90 per cent of individuals left income assistance for employment, educational opportunities, other sources of income or because of a change in family or financial status. The majority – 67 per cent – left income assistance for paid employment. On average, former clients reported earning 2.9 times the amount of money they received on income assistance.
The results confirm the findings of the first and second studies released in October and December 2002.
“People who are working are able to enjoy a much better quality of life and are better able to support their families,” said Coell. “With employable people moving off the caseload, we can ensure that a sustainable income assistance system continues to be in place for British Columbians who are most in need, now and in the future.”
Since June 2001, there are 66,000 fewer British Columbians dependent on income assistance. In the past year alone, government has placed more than 11,000 ministry clients directly in sustainable jobs through job placement agents. For more information on job placement success in British Columbia, visit the ministry's web site and click on success stories.
Exit surveys are conducted on a quarterly basis and are available to the public on the ministry’s Web site by following the links to What's New. The fourth quarterly report is scheduled for release in May 2003.
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