New Brunswick’s premier is defending his government’s new benefit for workers.
Applications opened on Tuesday morning for the one-time payment of $300.
It is geared toward individuals or families who made $70,000 or less in the 2022 or 2023 taxation years.
But to qualify, they must also have a family working income of at least $3,000 for that year.
Some argue the criteria are too restrictive and leave out those who are not working, such as seniors.
Blaine Higgs said his government wanted this benefit to specifically target working New Brunswickers.
“We basically had done a lot with the seniors benefits, with social assistance, but we hadn’t really done what we could maybe for the working class,” Higgs told reporters on Tuesday.
Higgs also defended his decision not to release more details about the benefit when he first announced it during January’s State of the Province address.
The working income requirement was not mentioned in the premier’s speech, although he did say it would help “lower-income workers.”
Higgs said when he referred to the benefit during his speech, it was to announce something was coming and that more details would be released soon.
“I wouldn’t go into the application details or how that was going to unfold in the State of the Province,” said Higgs.
When asked if he regretted the benefit or how it has been rolled out, Higgs said he would do it all again.
“I found in this job that I often have to take a lot of abuse to move forward on files, but in this file, it was quite surprising,” he said.
You can apply for the benefit online, by mail, or by dropping off your completed application at a Service New Brunswick service centre.
Successful applicants should get their benefit in the mail six to eight weeks after submitting their application, but those who submit right away should receive it sooner.
The deadline to apply is June 30.
