Apply for income assistance

If you are in need and have no other resources, you may be eligible for income assistance. This can help support your transition to employment.

On this page:

• Apply online
• Work search
• Eligibility assessment
• Reconsideration and appeals

You may be eligible if you find yourself in any of these situations:

• You’re out of work or not earning enough to meet your basic needs
• You’re waiting for other sources of money to arrive
• You can't work at all
• You urgently need food, shelter or medical attention

The ministry can only give available resources to people who meet eligibility criteria. You must look for and use all other sources of income and assets before you apply.

Apply online

Use My Self Serve to assess your eligibility and apply for assistance from the B.C. government. If you can’t complete the application online, call 1-866-866-0800 or visit your local office.

You will need to provide details about your current situation, income and assets. Be ready to give information, such as:

• Identification for you and your family
• Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• How much you pay for rent and utilities
• Your bank account balance
• How much you owe on your vehicle, if you have a car

We’ll also ask you if:

• You are getting or waiting for Employment Insurance (EI) or Worker’s Compensation benefits (WCB)
• You have any outstanding warrants
• A family member sponsored you into Canada

We’re committed to protecting your privacy when we collect and review your personal information.

Not eligible but still in need?

You may be able to receive hardship assistance, depending on your circumstances. Contact us to find out more about this kind of support.

Work search

You will have to actively look for work for:

• Three weeks if you’ve never received income assistance before
• Three weeks if you’re returning to income assistance

You will need to keep a record of your search on the Work Search Activities (PDF, 119KB) form. Find your local WorkBC centre for help with your work search.

You might not have to do a work search under certain circumstances:

• You are fleeing an abusive spouse or relative
• You are a single parent with a dependent child under three
• You have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from looking for work
• You or anyone in your immediate family is a person with disabilities (PWD)
• You can’t legally work in Canada
• You are 65 or older

An intake worker will talk with you about the work search, and if it applies to you.

Eligibility assessment

If you don’t find a job during your work search, you will need to attend an eligibility assessment. Either in person or over the phone, a worker will:

• Verify the information you provided
• Determine your eligibility for income assistance
• Confirm if you are currently renting or intend to rent a place to live. If you rent, provide a copy of your tenancy agreement or use the Shelter Information form (PDF, 32KB)
• Assess your readiness for employment
• Work with you to develop an employment plan

If you’re deemed eligible, you will then begin to receive assistance.

Reconsideration and appeals

You may have questions about a decision that impacts your assistance. The first step is to speak to a worker about your concerns. If you still believe you should be eligible under the legislation, you can ask for a reconsideration.