Whereas a large and growing proportion of our citizens has hearing loss, including three quarters of seniors; And whereas hearing loss leads to delayed speech and language development in children, as well as affecting social development; And whereas a significant factor contributing to lack of hearing aid usage is the high cost of hearing aids, with BC lagging behind other provinces and territories when it comes to consistent hearing health coverage: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government for improved access to hearing health care, including funding support for hearing aids for vulnerable populations most adversely affected by hearing loss: children and seniors.
Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction provides income assistance, hardship assistance, and disability assistance for low-income British Columbians through the BC Employment and Assistance BCEA Program. The BCEA Program is an income and asset tested program. Most recipients of income assistance, disability assistance, and hardship assistance transition to the federal government of Canadas public pension programs when they turn 65 years of age, such as the Canada Pension Plan CPP, Old Age Security OAS, and the Guaranteed Income Supplement GIS. Low-income seniors who are not eligible to receive the full amount from federal government of Canadas public pension programs may be eligible to receive a top-up from income assistance, disability assistance under the BCEA Program. Low-income Seniors Eligible for the BCEA Program: Health Supplements are available through the BC Employment and Assistance BCEA Program to assist with specific individual health needs and circumstances, such as hearing instruments. The least expensive, appropriate hearing instruments and associated repairs and supplies are provided to eligible recipients who lack the financial resources to meet the need. SDPR requires that all other available resources should first be considered when determining eligibility for hearing instruments. For income assistance and disability assistance clients, other resources include but are not limited to accessing or funding through: - Other government programs e.g., BCs PharmaCare, Health Authorities, ICBC, WorkSafeBC, Veterans Affairs Canada - Private insurance Life-Threatening Health Need Supports: Other low-income British Columbians, including seniors, who are not in receipt of income assistance or disability assistance and who have a life-threatening health need may also qualify for assistance with specific medical equipment and supplies if they meet the eligibility criteria and there are no other resources available. Healthy Kids Program: The Healthy Kids Program provides coverage for basic dental treatment, optical care and hearing assistance to children in low-income families, who are not in receipt of income assistance, disability assistance or hardship assistance. As of January 1, 2020, eligibility criteria for the Healthy Kids Program is based on eligibility for the Ministry of Healths Medical Services Plan MSP Supplementary Benefits