Eligibility Assessment

Effective: January 1, 2020

At the Stage 2 eligibility interview, applicants must demonstrate that the family unit meets all the eligibility criteria, or, for applicants seeking Persons with Disabilities (PWD) designation, will likely meet criteria within 6 months. Eligibility criteria including the following:

• All members of the family unit have identification, and all applicants have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). For more information on identification, review the Identification Requirements topic
• All applicants in the family unit have completed an orientation prior to the Stage 2 eligibility interview. For more information, review the Orientation policy in the Application Requirements topic
• The family unit meets citizenship requirements. For more information, review the Eligibility policy in the  Citizenship and Residency Requirements topic
• The family unit has pursued all other available income, as required. For more information, review the Pursuing Income topic
• The family unit’s net income and assets do not exceed the limits set out in regulations. Applicants applying for the PWD designation may have income and assets against the higher limits applicable to recipients of disability assistance, including assets above the PWD limit that are in the process of being transferred into a trust or Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). For more information, review the Income Treatment and Exemptions and Assets and Exemptions topics
• Applicants do not have outstanding arrest warrants issued under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) or any other enactment of Canada in relation to an indictable offence that can be prosecuted by indictment.

Applicants who are not eligible for income assistance or disability assistance should be assessed for hardship or repayable warrant supplements. For more information, review the Eligibility for Hardship Assistance and Warrants topics.

Effective: September 28, 2017

You can apply for assistance under the BCEA program and submit documents online through My Self Serve (MySS). Stage 2 of the application can occur online through MySS, over the phone, or in person at a ministry or Service BC office.

You will need to log into your MySS account, navigate to Service Requests, and open your application Service Request to check the status and submit additional documents the ministry needs to complete the application. You can also submit information and documents during Stage 2 of the application in one of these ways:

• Telephone: toll-free at 1-866-866-0800
• By mail: to any of the Ministry or Service BC offices
• In person: by attending a Ministry or Service BC office during office hours or dropping off using the outside drop box

Your MySS application will contain orientation information, including information explaining your rights and responsibilities. During an assisted application, staff are responsible to explain the rights and responsibilities to you including reporting requirements and required consents (including the CRA consent to release taxpayer information to the ministry). You are encouraged to ask questions to help you understand the application process, what assistance and supplements you may be eligible for now and in the future, and about your responsibilities and obligations.

Effective: July 20, 2026

The ministry can provide interpretation and translation services through a contracted third party for applicants who cannot read or write in English. Interpretation services are generally provided over the phone but can sometimes be done in person at an office.

The ministry does not translate documents, and it is your (the applicant’s) responsibility to pay for and translate documents through a verifiable third-party service. The ministry cannot accept documents that are critical to determine eligibility if they are translated using an unverifiable online resource such as, but not limited to, search engine translation or artificial intelligence software translation.

Effective: February 27, 2017

You are required to provide accurate and complete documents so the ministry can determine eligibility for assistance. You must provide the following documents before your eligibility interview:

1. Identification

Three pieces of identification (ID) for you (applicant) and your spouse (if applicable) including all of the following:

• Social Insurance Number (SIN) and documents which can verify the SIN number
• One valid photo ID
• One additional ID (does not need to be photo ID)

Review the Identification Requirements policy for details on what is acceptable ID or what to do if you do not have the necessary documents.

You will also need to submit one piece of ID for each dependent child if you have children that reside with you.

2. Verification of actual shelter costs or arrangements

You will need to submit documents to show your shelter costs (such as rent, utilities, mortgage, etc.) to receive assistance for your eligible shelter expenses which may include the following:

• Shelter information on the application (HR0080), rent receipt, Shelter Information form (HR3037), or lease showing your name, address, and total rent
• Recent utility bills
• Household insurance records for homeowners
• Mortgage agreement showing monthly mortgage payments
• Proof of condo/strata title fees
• Mobile home pad rental agreement

Review the Support & Shelter policy for details on what is acceptable documentation and what can be considered eligible shelter costs.

3. Records of income and assets

You will need to submit documents to show your income and assets so the ministry can determine if you meet income and asset eligibility requirements, which may include the following:

• Recent pay records such as pay stubs and Records of Employment from all employment (if you or your spouse were employed within the last 60 days)
• Account summary listing all accounts, holdings and lines of credit held jointly or individually, and statements for all open and any closed accounts with activity in the last 60 days, order or agreement for spousal support, records of bonds, trust funds, GICs, RRSPs, and any other assets
• Self-employment business records
• Income verification from other programs (e.g., Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Workers Compensation Board (WCB), Employment Insurance (EI), etc)

Review the Income Treatment and Exemptions, Assets and Exemptions, and the overarching Eligibility topic policies for detailed information about how income and assets affect eligibility.

Effective: February 27, 2017

The BCEA Application for Assistance – Consents (Part 1) (HR0080B) and Application for Assistance (Part 2) (HR0080) forms are a legal document and it is important that you complete them correctly and understand what you are signing. If you are not sure about what you are signing or have any questions, you are encouraged to contact the ministry for help.

Once you have completed an Application for Assistance, you may not strike-out or change any part of the form. If any changes are made to the information that you have already entered on the form, you must sign or add your initial next to them. The change must also be initialed by a ministry worker processing your application.

You and ministry staff are responsible for ensuring the correct person is signing the application form. This means you have provided the necessary ID for the ministry to confirm your identity. If the application is being signed by someone other than you such as parent, guardian, or Public Trustee, they are required to provide documents that prove they have legal authority to sign on your behalf.

Signatures, including the electronic signature in MySS, are not considered valid unless your ID has been verified. The date of the signature must be accurate on paper applications. By signing the application form, either electronically or in person, you are making a legal statement confirming the accuracy of the information provided and that you understand your rights and reporting obligations.