Today, both the federal government and provincial governments provide various social assistance programs designed to help people who are struggling financially. Most of these programs offer financial aid to help individuals pay for the essentials, such as food, clothing, shelter, and medical care.
If you live in British Columbia, you can apply for the income assistance program.
Key Points
- The BC income assistance program provides financial assistance to individuals and families struggling to pay for basic needs.
- To be eligible for the program you must provide proof of need.
- The amount of assistance you can receive is based on family size.
- Additional coverage for expenses such as medical services and prescriptions is also available.
- You can apply for the program online using your My Self Serve account.
What Is The BC Income Assistance Program?
British Columbia runs various social assistance programs, one of which is income assistance. The purpose of income assistance is to provide financial relief to individuals who face difficulty paying for their basic needs.
Who Is Eligible For The BC Income Assistance Program?
You may be eligible for income assistance if:
- You’re currently not working.
- You’re not able to work.
- You’re not earning enough to pay for basic living expenses.
- You need food, shelter, medical services, or other necessities but have no means of paying for them.
Income assistance is administered by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.
Conditions Of The BC Income Assistance Program
Once you’ve been approved for the program and you receive income assistance payments, you must adhere to two conditions to remain in the program:
Complete An Employment Plan
If you’re able to work, you must show that you’re actively working to secure employment adequate to support yourself. Under certain circumstances, you may be able to abstain from searching for work while receiving income assistance payments.
To be exempt from this requirement, you must present your case to the ministry and explain why you’re not in a position to seek employment.
Submit A Monthly Report
The monthly report, also known as the “cheque stub,” is due by the fifth of each month. This report is a legal document that verifies that you’re still in need of income assistance. The ministry will examine your report’s details to determine if you’re still eligible for income assistance payments.
You can complete the report online through your My Self Serve account or using a paper copy, which you can submit to a nearby ministry office or your local Service BC office.
How Much Can You Receive Through The BC Income Assistance Program?
The amount you can expect to receive in income assistance is based on your current circumstance and the number of members in your family. You can get up to:
- $1,060 if you’re single.
- $1,650 if both you and your spouse are on income assistance and have no children.
- $1,405 if you’re single and have one child.
- $1,845 if both you and your spouse are on income assistance and have one child.
You’ll also receive medical services coverage and pharmacare prescription coverage.
Extra Coverage Under the BC Income Assistance Program
In addition to the monthly base amount, you may qualify for additional funds to cover other expenses. These supplementary benefits are classified under two categories: general and health. Each benefit under both categories has its unique eligibility criteria. You’ll have to contact the ministry to find out if you qualify.
General Supplements Include
| Bus Pass | A discounted bus pass is available to low-income seniors and those designated as Persons with Disabilities. |
| Clothing | If you live in a special care facility, you may receive extra money to purchase clothing. |
| Crisis Supplement | This is an extra payment intended to help with unexpected emergencies requiring an immediate cash outlay |
| Moving, transportation, and living costs | You may be eligible to receive money to cover transportation costs incurred for important reasons, such as starting a new job or attending a court hearing. |
| School start-up | You may get extra funds to cover school supplies for your children. |
| Security deposit | If you rent your living space, you may receive funds to help pay for the security deposit. You’re required to repay this benefit. |
Health Supplements Include
| Dental | This benefit helps to pay for basic dental coverage. |
| Extended medical therapies | You may be eligible to receive extra money to help pay for such services as acupuncture, massage therapy, podiatry, and physical therapy. |
| Hearing instruments | This extra payment helps cover hearing instruments’ costs and any associated supplies and repairs. |
| Natal supplement | If you’re pregnant or have a child less than seven months old, you may qualify for an additional $45 per month. |
| Nutritional supplement | This benefit provides additional money for up to three months to cover the cost of dietary supplements essential to help you recover from surgeries, diseases, and medical treatment. |
For a complete list of general and health supplements, visit the Government of British Columbia website.
Will My Coverage Stop If I Start Working?
No, you won’t stop receiving assistance if you start working, up to a limit.
Effective January 1, 2024, the earnings exemption for income assistance recipients is:
- $600.00 for single individuals or couples without children
- $900.00 for families with children
- $1,080.00 for families who have a child with a disability.
- $1,080.00 for single individuals or families where at least one adult falls under the Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers category.
British Columbia Income Assistance Payment Dates 2024
Income assistance payments are issued each month. Below is the schedule for 2024 payments.
| Payment Date | Period Covered |
| January 17, 2024 | February 2024 |
| February 14, 2024 | March 2024 |
| March 20, 2024 | April 2024 |
| April 17, 2024 | May 2024 |
| May 15, 2024 | June 2024 |
| June 19, 2024 | July 2024 |
| July 17, 2024 | August 2024 |
| August 21, 2024 | September 2024 |
| September 18, 2024 | October 2024 |
| October 23, 2024 | November 2024 |
| November 20, 2024 | December 2024 |
| December 18, 2025 | January 2025 |
How To Apply For The BC Income Assistance Program
The most efficient way to apply for income assistance is online by using a My Self Serve account. My Self Serve is an online account where you can view personal messages and submit necessary reports and documents. You can also complete the application process by calling 1-866-866-0800 or visiting your local ministry office or Service BC center.
You’ll need to supply various personal details as part of the application process, such as:
- Identification
- Social insurance number (SIN),
- Bank account balance
- Payments owing on a vehicle
- Rent and utility bill amounts
- Whether you’re currently receiving or expected to receive Employment Insurance (EI) or Worker’s Compensation Benefits (WCB).
- If you have any outstanding warrants
- If you immigrated to Canada via a family sponsorship
Final Thoughts
British Columbia’s income assistance program is a valuable financial resource for those who lack an income or earn an income too low to cover basic living costs. While other government-benefit programs can offer financial aid during difficult times, such as EI, these tend to provide only temporary aid. With income assistance, you get the benefit of regular monthly payments for an extended period, allowing you to improve your present situation gradually, without the stress of running out of money. You may also qualify for a wide range of supplementary benefits, making income assistance one of the province’s most versatile social assistance programs.
