Social assistance is the income program of last resort. It is intended for those who have exhausted all other means of financial support. Every province and territory has its own social assistance program(s) and no two are the same.

In British Columbia, basic support and shelter benefits are provided through the British Columbia Employment and Assistance (BCEA) program.

BCEA clients are divided into two main streams of assistance:

1. Income Assistance (also called Temporary Assistance)
2. Disability Assistance

Those who are not eligible for Income or Disability Assistance may be able to access support for essential costs through BCEA Hardship Assistance, such as those awaiting other income or benefits like Employment Insurance or those completing the work search required to receive regular assistance. Hardship Assistance is provided on a temporary basis for one month at a time.

Income Assistance

Income Assistance consists of a support allowance and a shelter allowance. The support allowance is intended to cover the cost of food, clothing, and personal and household items of the family. The shelter allowance is intended to pay for actual shelter costs (up to a maximum amount). The maximum amount of support allowance and shelter allowance available varies by family size.

In order to be eligible for Income Assistance, applicants must meet eligibility requirements and fit the criteria of one of four groups:

1. Expected to Work – for employable individuals
2. Expected to Work Medical Condition – for employable individuals with short-term medical issues
3. No Employment-related Obligations – for numerous reasons (e.g., for single parents with a child under 3 and seniors)
4. Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers – for individuals with long-term barriers to employment that are not expected to be overcome in the short term

Disability Assistance

The Disability Assistance stream of BCEA recognizes that people with disabilities may require additional supports in order to meet the challenges of daily living through a higher assistance rate, supplementary assistance, and specialized employment supports.

The BC Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act defines a person with disabilities as an individual who is at least 18 years of age, with a severe physical or mental impairment that is expected to continue for at least two years, and who:

• is significantly restricted in his or her ability to perform daily living activities
• requires assistance with daily living activities

This includes individuals with episodic illnesses that restrict daily living activities continuously or periodically for extended periods.

Once individuals qualify for Disability Assistance, they keep their Persons with Disabilities designation after they leave assistance (for employment or other income support programs) and may maintain their medical assistance.

BCEA Supplements

Along with assistance for everyday living and shelter costs, recipients may also qualify for General Supplements and Health Supplements through BCEA. These are intended to offset certain additional costs that some families face (such as the extra costs associated with a child’s schooling or the transportation costs associated with essential medical treatment).