Today, the Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee announced new measures that will put more money in the pockets of Yukoners who are most affected by global inflation. The new measures focus on providing support to low-income Yukoners, seniors, social assistance recipients and caregivers of children.
These measures include:
- a one-time $150 payment to social assistance recipients;
- a one-time payment of $150 to Yukon Seniors Income Supplement recipients;
- a one-time 10 per cent additional payment to Pioneer Utility Grant recipients;
- a six-month extension of $500 per month to caregivers of children in out of home care; and
- $100,000 to Food Network Yukon to continue to support food security across the territory.
Top-ups for Yukon social assistance and Yukon Seniors Income Supplement recipients will be provided with November benefit payments. These payments are in addition to the annual rate adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index.
The increase to the Pioneer Utility Grant will be provided in February 2023, once the 2022 Pioneer Utility Grant is calculated. The additional monthly payments to caregivers of children will continue until March 2023.
Inflation is affecting people around the world, including here in the Yukon. These new measures will provide some financial relief during a challenging time for many low-income Yukoners. We will continue to work with community partners to help find ways to provide support to Yukon families, seniors and other Yukoners who need support the most.
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There are currently 870 households in the Yukon receiving social assistance, consisting of 1,222 individuals.
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There are currently 1,344 recipients of Yukon Seniors Income Supplement.
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There are currently 2,146 households in receipt of the Pioneer Utility Grant.
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The Yukon Bureau of Statistics calculated a 5.7 per cent increase to the Consumer Price Index for Whitehorse for September 1, 2021, through August 31, 2022.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Cameron Heke
Communications, Health and Social Services
Cameron.Heke@yukon.ca
867-332-3708