Rich Coleman: “You’ve got to balance your services to what you can pay for.”

VICTORIA — Many of British Columbia’s most vulnerable citizens will see significant changes to their social safety net beginning Thursday as the provincial government moves to cut millions from what it hands out in income assistance.

From a reduction in dental visits to a cancellation of the province’s minimum shelter allowance, the government hopes to save $25 million over the next two years through the reductions — something it says needs to be done in light of a recent explosion in demand for income assistance.

“The budget is very tight because of the increase in the number of people on social assistance,” said Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman.

“It’s a reality of life that you’ve got to balance your services to what you can pay for.”

Coleman’s ministry has said the economic downturn has led to a 15 per cent increase in the number of people on income assistance over the last year, bringing the number of recipients to 177,526. The increase, the ministry said, represents an additional $19.8 million in payments each month.

In an interview, Coleman said he has tried to protect and retain everything in the program that is medically necessary — adding some parts of the program have seen an increase in funding — and that he has tried to cut only that which is outdated or already paid for by other areas of government.

“They weren’t easy decisions. I won’t kid you,” he said, adding he’s satisfied with the changes that came as a result.

“I think we struck a balance.”

But for people who rely on these services, the changes are already jarring.

“I’m worried I’m going to have to pay for my feeding kit,” said Sandi Norton, a 55-year-old from Vancouver who has cerebral palsy.

Norton said her feeding items — including a bag, formula and a syringe — cost about $400 per month and she’s very worried what will happen if she has to cover the cost.

Norton added that she got a new motorized scooter last year, but is concerned about what happens when that one wears out.

“How in the heck will I get the money to pay for it?” she asked on Monday.

Under the new system, there is a good chance Norton will receive most items she needs, though she cannot yet say that with any certainty.

Government is seeking to cut $9.3 million over two years by reducing what it pays out for medical equipment and supplies. It says it will focus its spending on medically essential items such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers and supplies for burn treatment.

But it will no longer cover items like orthotics, contraceptives, glucometers, some diabetic supplies and manual breast pumps.

In a briefing note, a ministry spokesman said many of these can be obtained from other sources.

For example, he said, most glucometers are provided at no cost from glucose testing companies, and that oral contraceptives are freely available through Pharmacare.

Robin Loxton, of the B.C. Coalition of People With Disabilities, was not convinced, saying the things that are being shifted and cut are essential.

“These are things that people need to function in their day-to-day life. They’re not luxuries. They’re not special things that help them go on vacation. They’re to help people in their day-to-day lives,” he said. “The government is insulting us when they say that [they're] protecting services by cutting services.”

While the biggest reduction is to medical supplies, there are a variety of other changes as well.

Over the next two years, government hopes to save about $3.1 million with changes to dental benefits.

The biggest change means the plan will only pay for one regular visit per year, instead of visits every six months as it does now.

Stephen Learey, of the Strathcona Community Dental Clinic, said he is deeply concerned by the change.

“For us, we feel we need to see the kids at least twice a year,” said Learey, adding most of his patients come from low-income families on the Downtown Eastside and will be affected by the changes.

“We’re quite concerned if we go a year without seeing them, a filling turns into a root canal or an extraction.”

Coleman acknowledged the number of visits are being reduced, but said other changes are allowing for better care.

For example, people in the plan are now eligible to receive up to $1,400 for basic dental services every two years instead of $700 per year. He said the change means the program can now pay for procedures that are more expensive than $700.

In addition to dental, Coleman said other changes are needed as well.

For example, he said, the province is eliminating the minimum shelter allowance, which provides $75 per month to disabled people and those on income assistance, even if they pay no rent. He said this is because there is overlap in many cases, with many people receiving this money being subsidized in other ways as well.

Coleman said government is also limiting availability of a monthly nutritional program, and will now make sponsors of immigrants pay for a funeral if the person they sponsor dies and the sponsor has the means pay.

Coleman said there are additions in some areas, including new diet supplements that help children who have difficulty controlling epilepsy and one for people with a serious genetic disorder.

Plus, he said, most of the changes should not have a dramatic effect on people, because the government has sought to protect vital services.

“I don’t think [people] are going to see a dramatic difference,” he said. “Some are going to see improvements in services, like on diet supplements.”

New Democratic Party critic for housing and social development Shane Simpson vehemently disagreed.

“These are the kind of cuts that over the next year to two years — because people are not going to be getting the level of preventive care they should — we’re going to see those impacts down the road as people’s health diminishes,” he said.

“I think it’s a longer term impact.”

jfowlie@vancouversun.com