Income Assistance - Immediate Needs Process
The 3 week waiting period before getting an appointment to apply for income assistance may be waived under certain circumstances that would cause the person, or the person's family, undue hardship.
People who are fleeing abuse (whether or not they are in a transition house) or have an immediate need for food, shelter or urgent medical attention will receive an interview within one business day.
The Ministry also offers expedited eligibility interviews, within five business days, to applicants who:
- Have a mental or physical condition that prevents them from completing a work search
- Are unauthorized to work in Canada (e.g., a refugee claimant)
- Are over 65 years of age
- Are applying for Child in Home of a Relative assistance
For more information on Income Assistance go to the website. For information on the application process go to: www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/bcea.htm
A Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation program.
Address / Contact Info
BC Employment and Income Assistance Services
Phone Numbers
Toll-free: 1-866-866-0800
Web Links
Categorization
Other Programs from This Organization
| Time limited, generally repayable, assistance available to those who are not eligible for income assistance due to a variety of circumstances and who have proven that all other funding sources have been exhausted. |
| Available to individuals who have received income assistance for 12 of the last 15 months and have severe multiple barriers to employment and meet other criteria. |
| Available to eligible persons with serious, long-term mental or physical disabilities who are not expected to gain complete financial independence through employment. |
| Regular, temporary income assistance is available to persons who, for a variety of reasons, are unemployed and have few financial resources, but who are capable of eventual financial independence through employment. |
| Provided to recipients of disability assistance who live in areas where the Bus Pass program is available, but are unable to use public transportation due to their disability or because it would make their disability worse. |
| A variety of supplementary benefits and supports are available depending on category of income assistance being received. |
This program was last updated on: 24 Apr 2015.
