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Electronic Services

The Ministry of Housing and Social Development (MHSD) is pleased to expand its services to British Columbians and BC Employment and Assistance clients through enhanced telephone and internet access.

Orientation Session

You can complete the orientation session on the ministry's website.

If you intend to apply for BC Employment and Assistance, you must complete the online Web Orientation session during the three-week work search. The Web Orientation outlines the requirements to look for work, job search tips, and the process for applying for income assistance. This session takes about 30 minutes to complete online, and you must print out or copy the confirmation number, date and pre-application (PA) number at the end of the session. You must take that information to the Stage 2 application interview as proof of completing the session.

To complete the Orientation Session, go to:

www.weborientation.gov.bc.ca

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Income Assistance Eligibility Estimator

Do you need to know if you and your family may be eligible for income assistance?

The IA estimator takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete and prompts you through the required information:

  • your citizenship
  • your net monthly income
  • your family situation
  • your assets
  • your housing costs

It will give you a rough estimate of your eligibility and what you might receive on a monthly basis. If you think you are eligible, you can contact a ministry office for further information about the application process.

To complete the Income Assistance Eligibility Estimator, go to:

www.iaestimator.gov.bc.ca/

The estimator provides only a rough estimate of your monthly eligibility and is not a guarantee of your eligibility or ineligibility. The estimator cannot assess complicated situations. For further assistance, you must contact a BC Employment and Income Assistance Office.

Please be assured that all the personal information you enter on the MHSD web site is not collected. Once you close the estimator site, all personal information is deleted and no records are kept.

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Automated Telephone Inquiry

1 866 866 0800

The Automated Telephone Inquiry (ATI) is a toll-free line that provides British Columbians with telephone access to the Ministry of Housing and Social Development, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Callers using ATI have four options:

  1. Access to general ministry and contact information.

  2. Access to personal details such as BC Employment and Assistance cheque amount and delivery methods. (only BC Employment and Assistance clients who have personal identification numbers may use this option)

  3. Access to a staff person who will provide further information or referrals.

  4. Access to BC Bus Pass Program, BC Healthy Kids Program and Senior's Supplement Program.

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Ministry contact information

Toll-Free Telephone Inquiry: 1 866 866-0800

Phone Service BC:

Vancouver: 604 660-2421
Victoria: 250 387-6121
Elsewhere in B.C.: 1 800 663-7867

Or go to the MHSD offices listings available on this site.