Payments made to people on social assistance are reviewed annually, says the P.E.I. government, and it is looking at new ways to index those rates.

'I think the province is interested in exploring how it provides supports to low-income Islanders.'— Bob Creed, director of social programs

A recent study by the Women's Network of P.E.I. suggested indexing rates to the consumer price index. It noted that rates went unchanged for a decade before an increase in June.

Bob Creed, director of social programs for the province, said a couple of provinces do tie some of their social assistance rates to the consumer price index, but that wouldn't always be beneficial.

For example, shelter rates on P.E.I. have gone up by 14 per cent over the last four years, he said, keeping pace with rent increases from the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission, but the increase in the consumer price index over the same time period has been less than that.

He said the province still has some research to do on how indexing would work.

"What would be suitable, what wouldn't be suitable for indexing, I think that's an area where we need to explore," said Creed.

"I think the province is interested in exploring how it provides supports to low-income Islanders across the board."

The Social Assistance Act requires a review of welfare rates every year as part of the provincial budgeting process. Those discussions have already begun for the next provincial budget.

The food allowance for people on social assistance went up this year by 10 per cent, the first increase in more than eight years.