Identification Supplement

Effective: July 1, 2019

Person(s) in a family unit in receipt of income assistance, disability assistance, or hardship assistance are eligible for the ID supplement if identification is required for the person and/or family unit to:

• be eligible for income or disability assistance
• access services in British Columbia or for a similar purpose in British Columbia (for example community participation or for job/school applications)

Applicants who meet all conditions of eligibility for assistance except the requirement for sufficient identification (ID) may be eligible for hardship assistance issued under SIN Required or Identity Not Established while they obtain the required ID.    [For more information, see Related Links – SIN Required or Identity Not Established.]

[For information on ID requirements, see Related Links – ID Requirements.]

[For information on the Client Identification Process, see Related Links – ID Requirements – Policy – ID Requirements Not Met.]

A supply of identification forms used in Canadian provinces should be maintained in all offices.  [For more information on these forms, see Government of Canada Internet website.]

Clients who do not have complete ID can apply for it as follows:
 

• Birth Certificate – If clients need a BC birth certificate for secondary ID or to apply for a SIN card or primary ID, they can apply for it through the British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency or the appropriate provincial agency.

[For information on processing a BC Birth Certificate Application, see Procedures.]
 

• SIN – Clients without a verifiable SIN must apply for it through Service Canada

Note:  Clients who do not have SIN cards but can provide verifiable SINs meet the identification requirements for income or disability assistance and do not need to apply for a SIN.  Only clients who do not have a SIN, or whose SIN cannot be verified must apply for a SIN from Service Canada. [For information on the verification of SINs, see Related Links – ID Requirements.]
 

• Primary and Secondary ID – Clients must apply for a BC Services Card (Photo Card or Non-Photo Card), BC driver’s license or BC Drivers License and Services Card (Combined Card) (if replacing a valid license) or BC Identification (BCID) card through the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC).

[For information on how to contact Service Canada and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, see Contacts.]

The ID Supplement may be provided for any costs associated with birth certificates, Primary or Secondary ID, including, BC driver’s licenses, BC Driver’s License and Services Card (Combined Card), BC Services Card (Photo Card), BC Services Card (Non-Photo Card), and BCID cards, immigration documents and other types of official identification.

Effective: July 1, 2019

When photo ID is required, an ID supplement may be issued to cover the cost of obtaining a required piece of photo ID to purchase the required ID.

[For further information on acceptable primary ID, see Related Links – Identification Requirements]

Note:  If a client with a confirmed job requires a driver’s licence or other piece of ID in order to start the job and ID requirements have already been met, the client may be eligible for a confirmed job supplement to assist in acquiring the necessary ID. If a client requires ID in order to apply for a job or seek employment they are eligible for an ID Supplement [for more information, see Related Links – Confirmed Job Supplement].

Effective: July 1, 2019

When issuing an ID supplement, follow these steps:

1.	When a recipient requests the ID supplement, generate a service request.
2.	Confirm the type of ID being requested.
3.	Confirm the recipient’s eligibility for the ID supplement: The recipient is in receipt of income assistance, disability assistance, or hardship assistance The ID is required to be eligible for income assistance or disability assistance, or to access services in British Columbia Recipients who opt for the Client Identification Process (CIP) instead of Hardship Assistance under SIN required or Identity Not Established are eligible for the ID Supplement. Recipients with a spouse and/ or dependent children who require ID are eligible for the ID Supplement. Persons are also eligible for the ID Supplement where the spouse and/ or dependent children require the ID as part of ongoing eligibility (e.g. to be added onto a case).
4.	Advise recipient of the applicable process for the ID being requested:   Birth Certificate – Birth Certificates are issued by British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency or the appropriate provincial agency. [For information on processing a BC Birth Certificate Application, see Procedures below.] Primary ID – Recipients must apply for a BC Services Card (Photo Card), BC driver’s license or BC Drivers License and Services Card (Combined Card) (if replacing a valid license) or BC Identification (BCID) card through the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). [For information on how to contact Service Canada and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, see Contacts.] [For a list of fees, see Contacts – Insurance Corporation of British Columbia] Persons who do not have a SIN, or whose SIN cannot be verified, must contact Service Canada. There is no cost for obtaining a SIN or verification of SIN. [For information on the verification of SINs, see Related Links – ID Requirements.]

 Note: If sending an application and payment on behalf of a client do not use third party brokers. A third party broker is any party (e.g. private company) other than the government office responsible for issuing the piece of identification. Utilizing a third party broker would cause a privacy breach [see Contacts for all of the government websites for identification].

Effective: March 8, 2010

To apply for a British Columbia birth certificate on behalf of a client, a designated staff member uses the online Electronic Vital Statistics Services (EVSS) application process.  In situations where the online application is not available, ministry staff may provide a paper copy of the BC Application for Birth Certificate (VSA 430mhrb 2010/02/11) to the client.

Electronic Method:

To process an online BC birth certificate application, ministry staff with online access follow these steps:
 

1. Sign in to the EVSS and complete the online application form.
2. Print off completed form for the client to sign.
3. Submit the electronic application form.
4. Note the order confirmation number on the printed form.
5. Scan and profile a copy of the signed electronic and/or paper form.

Note:  If the worker does not have EVSS online access, the client may sign a completed paper form and submit it to the Employment and Assistance office where ministry staff will forward the form to an EVSS designated staff member.  Once the form is received, the EVSS designate can fill out the online application based on the information on the paper form.  Both the printed online application and the signed paper form must be scanned and profiled following the process for identification.

Each step that clients take to obtain the required ID should be documented.

Payment direct to an agency that produces ID documents may be provided for recipients requiring ID. Offices may require that the ID be mailed back to the ministry office.