Crisis Supplement

Effective: April 1, 2026

The ministry may provide a crisis supplement to or for a family unit that is eligible for income assistance, disability assistance, or hardship assistance if all of the following apply:

• The family unit or a person in the family unit requires the supplement to meet an unexpected expense or obtain an item unexpectedly needed
  • An “unexpected” expense or item “unexpectedly” needed refers to an unforeseen situation that suddenly interferes with a person’s ability to pay the expense or obtain the item. The overall circumstances which gave rise to the unexpected need should be considered. Examples include, but are not limited to:
    • A roommate moves out with no warning, and the recipient is held responsible for the full rent.
    • Unseasonably cold weather causes a heating bill to be unusually high.
    • A power outage results in the food in a fridge to spoil and needs to be replaced.
    • A sudden illness results in a need to purchase over the counter medications instead of paying a hydro bill.
    • A bed bug infestation has resulted in the need for a new mattress.
• The family unit or person in the family is unable to meet the expense or obtain the item because there are no cash assets readily available (e.g., cash on hand, money in bank account) to meet the expense or obtain the item. 
  • Food banks, the BC Hydro Customer Crisis Fund, clothing drives and other charitable organizations are not considered resources. Recipients do not have to access community resources or contact third parties to meet this eligibility requirement for a crisis supplement.
• Failure to meet the expense or obtain the item will result in imminent danger to the health (e.g., physical or mental health) of any person in the family unit. 

A crisis supplement may be provided only for the calendar month in which it is requested. The unexpected circumstance does not have to occur in the same month the crisis supplement is requested, and there is no time restriction on when the unexpected circumstance(s) had to occur. For example, a pipe broke unexpectedly in the previous month and created a mold problem in the current month where the crisis supplement was requested.

A crisis supplement may not be provided:

• For the purpose of obtaining a health supplement described in Schedule C or any other health care goods or services.
• To cover a user fee required for landlord/tenant arbitration. The Residential Tenancy office will waive this fee for recipients of BC Employment and Assistance.
• To support an ongoing situation or as a way to provide assistance that is prohibited by other regulatory direction.

Crisis supplements are not limited to food, clothing, shelter, and essential utilities. For example, a crisis supplement may be requested for essential furniture such as a mattress and bed frame, or for emergency home repairs. Emergency home repairs may include essential items needed to protect, repair, or replace parts of the home’s structure, as well as to repair or replace heating and cooking appliances. These repairs are only considered if the place of residence is owned by a person in their family unit and the cost of the repairs has been pre-approved by ministry.

Once eligibility for a crisis supplement is determined, the least costly option to meet the need will be authorized.

Effective: August 1, 2023

A crisis supplement for food may be provided if the request meets the eligibility criteria for a crisis supplement.

Crisis supplements for food are restricted to a maximum amount per person per month, as shown in Rate Table: General Supplements & Programs– Crisis Supplement.

Effective: August 1, 2023

A crisis supplement for clothing may be provided if the request meets the eligibility criteria for a crisis supplement.

Crisis supplements for clothing are restricted to an annual maximum per person, as shown in Rate Table: General Supplements & Programs – Crisis Supplement. The annual maximum for crisis supplements for clothing is calculated on a "rolling" basis, using the 12-month period preceding the date the crisis supplement is requested.

• Example: Under the annual maximum per person limit, a family of four may be eligible for a maximum of $440.00 within a 12-month period, a family of five would have an annual maximum of $550.00.

Effective: April 1, 2026

A crisis supplement for shelter may be provided if the request meets the eligibility criteria for a crisis supplement.

Crisis supplements for shelter are restricted to the actual cost, up to the maximum combined shelter and support rates (based on the family unit) per month. This may also include the following actual amounts, that the family unit is eligible to receive:

• Shared Parenting Assistance
• Pre-Natal Shelter Supplement
• Housing Stability Supplement

See Rate Tables: Income Assistance, Disability Assistance or Hardship Assistance for rates.

Limit

As of April 1, 2026, family units are limited to a maximum of one crisis supplement for shelter per year. The limit is calculated on a "rolling" basis, using the 12-month period preceding the date the crisis supplement is requested.

• Example: If a family unit received a crisis supplement for shelter in May 2026, they would not be eligible to receive another crisis supplement for shelter until May 2027, provided the request meets all eligibility requirements.

Exceptions

Exceptions may be considered when a family unit has already received a crisis supplement for shelter within the previous 12-month period and is experiencing one of the exceptional circumstances outlined in the table below. Supporting documentation is required where applicable.

If an exception is approved, the 12‑month rolling limit resets to the most recent date the crisis supplement for shelter is issued.

• Example: If a family unit received a crisis supplement for shelter in May 2026, then experienced one of the exceptional circumstances listed below and received another crisis supplement for shelter in August 2026, they would not be eligible for an additional crisis supplement for shelter until August 2027, provided the request meets all eligibility requirements.

Exception Reasons
Reasons	Examples	Types of Supporting Documentation (if required)
Current housing is uninhabitable or tenancy agreement ends unexpectedly due to an unforeseen event without fault of the tenant or landlord	Structural issues such as damaged roof or foundation Health hazards such as mold or rodent infestation Safety issues such as faulty wiring or no smoke detectors Loss of essential utilities, such as heat and potable water, due to infrastructure failure Natural disasters such as flood or earthquake	Municipal building inspector or health officer assessment report or public notices Condemnation notice Police or Fire Department reports Repair or service reports or invoices Communication with Landlord or property management company about the event
Offered and intends to accept subsidized or supportive housing	Accepted a subsidized rental unit after being waitlisted  Needs on-site support and has accepted a supportive housing unit Includes, but not limited to, rental units operated by BC Housing, CMHC, municipal or regional housing corporations, Indigenous housing providers, and non-profits	Acceptance/unit offer letter from housing provider Move-in confirmation Residential tenancy agreement Housing provider confirmation
To reunite a parent with a child that was removed from the family under the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA)	Adequate housing is considered a factor in assessing a child's safety and readiness for reunification with a parent under CFCSA	Court documents such as custody orders Written agreement with MCFD or an Indigenous Child and Family Services Agency such as a Safety Plan, Support Services Agreement, Plan of Care, Access Agreement, Special Needs Agreement or Voluntary Care Agreement Social worker confirmation
To prevent a child from being removed from the family under Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA)	Maintaining or obtaining adequate housing is a factor in preventing a child from being removed (voluntarily or involuntarily) under the CFCSA Due to safety concerns in the current home, a child and parent may need to move to a safer residence to avoid removal under the CFCSA	Court documents such as custody orders Written agreement with MCFD or an Indigenous Child and Family Services Agency such as a Safety Plan, Support Services Agreement, Plan of Care, Access Agreement, Special Needs Agreement or Voluntary Care Agreement Social worker confirmation
Fleeing an abusive spouse or relative	Safety concerns have led to a family member requiring to move to a separate place of residence	No supporting documentation required Recipient discloses they are fleeing an abusive spouse or relative
Experiencing homelessness	A family unit living in public spaces, emergency shelters, or experiencing hidden homelessness (e.g.,  temporarily staying with others) has secured stable housing	No supporting documentation required Family unit has no fixed address at the time of the request
Will become homeless	The family unit will lose their place of residence due to not paying shelter costs	Eviction notice Notice to vacate place of residence Demand letter from bank for mortgage default Foreclosure notice

Effective: December 1, 2018

A crisis supplement for essential utilities may be provided if recipients meet the eligibility criteria for a crisis supplement, and

• Where utility is provided by an essential utility provider (e.g., BC Hydro, FortisBC):
  • Are behind in their payments (in arrears); and
  • Are facing the risk of disconnection or have been disconnected; or
• Where utility is not provided by an essential utility provider:
  • Are facing the risk of having no fuel for heating or for cooking meals.

Where utility is provided by an essential utility provider, the supplement can be provided prior to a disconnection notice being issued. Confirmation of arrears, in the form of documentation, is required.

Essential utilities are:

• Fuel for heating
• Fuel for cooking meals
• Water
• Hydro

Fuel for heating and fuel for cooking meals may include natural gas, heating oil, firewood and propane.

Effective: September 1, 2024

Emergency/Disaster supplement is only to be used as directed by the Assistant Deputy Minister of Service Delivery Division through a Management designate. Field staff will be advised when use of this supplement is required due to an emergency/disaster.

In the event of a local, regional or provincial emergency/disaster, the ministry will provide assistance to eligible affected individuals. Depending upon the nature of the emergency or disaster, Emergency Support Services (ESS) Provincial Emergency Program may be involved and will provide immediate assistance generally for up to 72 hours or longer depending on the circumstances. If required, the ministry may be assisting recipients and applicants in the preparation/evacuation stage and in the recovery stage.

The ministry may provide an emergency/disaster supplement to or for a family unit that is eligible for income assistance, disability assistance, medical services only, CIHR or hardship assistance when an emergency/disaster has been identified and if the following apply:

• The family unit or a person in the family unit requires the supplement to meet an unexpected expense or obtain an item unexpectedly needed due to the identified emergency/disaster (e.g. moving or storage costs due to evacuation notice);
• The family unit or person in the family is unable to meet the expense or obtain the item because resources are not available to the family unit due to the identified emergency/disaster, and
• Failure to meet the expense or obtain the item will result in imminent financial loss or danger to the health (e.g., physical or mental health) of any person in the family unit due to the identified emergency/disaster.

An emergency/disaster supplement is intended to aid the recipient in an emergency/disaster when all other resources have been exhausted.

Once eligibility for a crisis supplement is determined, the least costly option to meet the need will be authorized.

Applicants who meet the above criteria may be assessed for emergency need and, if necessary, be provided an expedited application. If eligible for income assistance, disability assistance or hardship assistance, applicants may also be eligible for an emergency/disaster supplement.

Reconsideration and Appeal

The Emergency/Disaster Supplement is not provided under the authority of the Employment and Assistance Act or the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act. Therefore, the reconsideration and appeal provisions of section 17 of the Employment and Assistance Act and section 16 of the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act do not apply. For more information see the Reconsideration topic.

Effective: September 19, 2008

When a pattern of reliance on crisis supplements develops (six or more in 12 months), administration of assistance may be required. 

Effective: April 1, 2026

You can apply for a crisis supplement in one of these ways:

• Online: through My Self-Serve MySS
• Telephone: toll-free at 1-866-866-0800 and accessing the self-serve telephone system
• In person: by attending a Ministry or Service BC office during office hours or dropping off using the outside drop box

Review the eligibility criteria for crisis supplements for more information.