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Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers

Last updated on July 22, 2026

Overview

The persons with persistent multiple barriers (PPMB) category provides assistance to recipients who have long-term barriers to employment that are not expected to be overcome in the short term. PPMB recipients are exempt from entering employability plans and do not have employability-related obligations, although they may participate on a voluntary basis. For more information, review employability plan. An earnings exemption is available to encourage recipients who want to work to try employment, gain experience, participate more fully in the community as they are able, and earn more income. Family units where one or both recipients are eligible for PPMB may be provided a higher support rate and additional supplements.

PPMB category applies to recipients who are eligible under the Employment and Assistance Act. PPMB is not included in the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act. Therefore, the PPMB category cannot be assessed for spouses of recipients with the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) designation. PPMB eligibility is assessed using a single two-part application form.

It is recognized that some recipients in this category may overcome their barriers over time and improve their employability while others may not. Some may have health conditions that worsen over time and require additional supports. This is why the PPMB category provides recipients with time and supports to overcome their barriers and move towards independence, or transition to other client categories, including the PWD designation.

Policy

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Criteria

Effective: July 1, 2019

Recipients who qualify for persons with persistent multiple barriers (PPMB) are those who meet the following criteria:

  • Has a health condition that has lasted for at least one year and is likely to continue for at least two more years or has a health condition that has occurred frequently in the past year and is likely to continue for at least two more years. This health condition is a barrier that seriously impedes a person’s ability to search for, accept or continue in employment

AND

  • Has at least one additional barrier (listed under Barriers to Employment) that seriously impedes the person from searching for, accepting or continuing in employment
 

Health condition

Effective: July 1, 2019

The recipient has a health condition, confirmed by an approved health professional, that:

  • Has continued for at least one year and is likely to continue for at least two more years
    OR
  • Has occurred frequently in the past year and is likely to continue for at least two more years

and, that health condition, in the opinion of the Minister, is a barrier that seriously impedes the person’s ability to search for, accept or continue in employment.

An approved health professional is a: 

  • Medical practitioner
  • Nurse practitioner
  • Registered psychologist
  • Registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse
  • Occupational therapist
  • Physical therapist
  • Registered social worker
  • Chiropractor
  • Registered clinical counsellor in good standing with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
  • School psychologist as defined by Independent School Act or the School Act

Seriously impedes

A health condition is considered to seriously impede the recipient’s ability to search for, accept, or continue in employment when, as a result of the health condition, the recipient is unable to participate in any type of employment that would enable independence from income assistance.

When determining if the health condition seriously impedes employment, the information provided by the health professional in Section 1 of the PPMB application form should be taken into consideration:

  • Impact of the health condition on the recipient’s ability to work full-time or only part-time
  • Impact of the health condition on the recipient’s ability to work on a regular or sporadic basis
 

Barriers to employment

Effective: July 1, 2019

The recipient has at least one additional barrier that seriously impedes the recipient’s ability to search for, accept, or continue in employment. A barrier is considered to seriously impede the recipient’s ability to search for, accept, or continue in employment when, because of the barrier, the recipient is unable to participate in employment that would enable independence from income assistance or that requires an accommodation to obtain or maintain employment. Employability supports, such as the Self-Employment Program (SEP) business deductions and exemptions, may be available. To learn more, review the Employability Supports topic.

Barriers that seriously impede employment are:

  • Currently experiencing homelessness or having experienced homelessness in the past 12 months
  • Currently experiencing domestic violence or having experienced domestic violence in the past six months
  • Less than Grade 12 education
  • Needing English language skills training
  • Not having basic skills for employment
  • Having a criminal record
  • Having accessed emergency health, mental health or addiction services multiple times within the past 12 months
  • Recent convention refugee (within the past 24 months) or currently a refugee claimant or person applying for protection
  • Former child in care (Ministry of Children and Family Development or similar Canadian jurisdiction)
  • Other severe barrier to employment listed on their application
 

Review period

Effective: July 1, 2019

The ministry is not currently performing regular reviews for PPMB recipients. Reviews will be completed in exceptional circumstances (i.e., the ministry has been supplied with inaccurate or new information). PPMB is not a permanent category and the ministry has the authority to review a person’s eligibility for PPMB.

 

Income assistance and supplements

Effective: October 1, 2012

Family units where one adult is eligible for PPMB may be eligible for:

 

Procedures

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Application for PPMB

Effective: July 1, 2026

To request a PPMB application, the ministry will confirm you are a recipient of income assistance or hardship assistance. Complete and submit the PPMB application (HR2892). The ministry will contact you with an eligibility decision.

 

Reapplication for assistance

Effective:  July 1, 2019

Individuals in the PPMB category at the time when their case was closed can be reassessed for PPMB on reapplication if they have been off assistance for longer than 24 months. These individuals should submit a new PPMB Application Form (HR2892). Former recipients who reapply for assistance within 24 months of leaving assistance retain their PPMB category.