Other Assistance
Additional Help for BC Employment and Assistance Clients
The Ministry of Social Development provides money for food and shelter costs, plus a variety of other assistance through BC Employment and Assistance.
The following are some additional assistance that may be available to you if you are an Employment and Assistance client.
Identification Fees
If you do not have the identification you need to apply for BC Employment and Assistance, the cost of getting a BC Identification card or other documents may be paid on your behalf. This assistance is available on a one-time only basis.
Security Deposit
If you are renting accommodation, you may be eligible for this assistance to cover the cost of your security deposit. These are repayable benefits. Security deposits are recovered from income assistance cheques at $20 per month. The security deposit deduction occurs on the second cheque after the security deposit is issued.
Co-operative Housing Association Share Purchase Benefit
If you are moving into co-op housing, you may be eligible for money to pay for your membership share. This benefit must be repaid to the ministry when you move or leave BC Employment and Assistance.
Emergency Moving Benefit
If you are forced to move because the accommodation you are renting has been sold or condemned, or a move to a new place would significantly reduce your expenses, you may receive money to pay your moving expenses.
Natal Supplement
If you are pregnant or have a child less than seven months old, you may qualify for this monthly assistance to help cover miscellaneous extra costs.
Diet Assistance
If you require a special diet for a specific medical condition, you may be eligible for this monthly assistance to help cover the extra cost. (See fact sheet for details.)
Guide Animal Supplement
If you use the services of a registered guide animal, you may be eligible for a monthly benefit to help you maintain the animal.
Christmas Supplement
Available as part of the December cheque, this money helps with extra expenses at Christmas.
School Start-Up Supplement
If you have dependent children, you may receive money to buy back-to-school supplies.
Camp Fees
If you have dependent children or are an adult with a disability, you may receive money to pay part or all of the fee to attend a recognized camp.
Crisis Assistance
If you face an unexpected, emergency need that could affect the health of yourself or your family, or the safety of a child, you may be eligible for this one-time grant to cover the cost.
Community Volunteer Supplement
The Community Volunteer Supplement is a monthly payment of up to $100 to assist eligible clients who volunteer with a non-profit agency. The supplement assists clients with transportation, clothing or other related expenses related to volunteering.
For more information about this supplement, contact your Employment and Assistance worker.
Assistance With Transportation Costs
Medical Transportation
If you have frequent, local medical appointments, or the medical treatment you need is not available in your community, you may receive money for transportation to your medical appointments.
Court Attendance
You may receive money for your transportation and living expenses if you are required to attend court outside your community for:
- a court action through the Family Maintenance Program; or
- a child protection action under the Child, Family and Community Service Act
Paternity Testing
If you are required to attend a blood testing clinic to determine paternity as a result of a court action through the Family Maintenance Program, you may receive money for transportation.
For more information about the BC Employment and Assistance programs, contact your local Employment and Assistance Office.
