Income assistance benefits in British Columbia are available to residents who need financial help and have no other resources to cover basic needs.
In addition to the financial support, eligible applicants can also access health coverage, supplements, and other supports.
Read on to learn about BC income assistance dates in 2022, how much you can get based on the current rates, and how to apply.
Table of Contents
BC Income Assistance Payment Dates 2022
Income Assistance dates for BC in 2022 are:
| Income Assistance Date | Benefit Month |
| January 19, 2022 | February 2022 |
| February 16, 2022 | March 2022 |
| March 23, 2022 | April 2022 |
| April 27, 2022 | May 2022 |
| May 25, 2022 | June 2022 |
| June 22, 2022 | July 2022 |
| July 20, 2022 | August 2022 |
| August 24, 2022 | September 2022 |
| September 21, 2022 | October 2022 |
| October 26, 2022 | November 2022 |
| November 23, 2022 | December 2022 |
| December 21, 2022 | January 2023 |
These BC income assistance dates correspond with when benefits are deposited in your bank account if you are set up for direct deposits.
You receive payments on a Wednesday 1-2 weeks before the benefit month.
BC’s PWD disability benefit is also paid on these dates in 2022.
BC Income Assistance Cheque Dates 2022
You can also receive income assistance benefits by cheque. These cheques are delivered to your local Service BC office on these dates:
| Income Assistance Cheque Pickup Dates | Benefit Month |
| January 17, 2022 | February 2022 |
| February 14, 2022 | March 2022 |
| March 21, 2022 | April 2022 |
| April 25, 2022 | May 2022 |
| May 24, 2022 | June 2022 |
| June 20, 2022 | July 2022 |
| July 18, 2022 | August 2022 |
| August 22, 2022 | September 2022 |
| September 19, 2022 | October 2022 |
| October 24, 2022 | November 2022 |
| November 21, 2022 | December 2022 |
| December 19, 2022 | January 2023 |
Income assistance cheques are dated so you can deposit them on the same day as direct deposits.
What is BC Income Assistance?
Income assistance programs in Canada are designed to provide financial support to those in dire financial need.
Also known as ‘welfare’, these programs typically include access to:
- Financial support to pay for basic needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing
- Allowances that cover supplements and services that are needed to ensure the physical and social well being of the recipient
- Employment supports
BC income assistance is paid out monthly.
Other provincial income assistance programs in BC include the Persons with Disabilities benefits (PWD) and the Persons with Persistent and Multiple Barriers to employment benefit (PPMB).
BC Income Assistance Benefits
Financial support is provided under “support allowance” and ‘shelter allowance”.
How much you receive in total will depend on your family situation, age of children, type of shelter, and more.
In addition to support and shelter, eligible applicants can access general supplements and programs with coverage for:
- Bus passes
- Camp fees
- Christmas expenses
- Funeral costs
- Guide and service dogs
- Pet damage deposits
- Prenatal shelter
- Security deposits
- Transportation
- Travel
- Utility security deposits
- Co-op share purchase, and more
Health supplements are also available to eligible recipients and may include coverage for:
- Alcohol and drug treatment
- Diet supplements
- Extended medical therapies
- Medical equipment
- Medical transportation
- Infant formula
- Optical services
- Pharmacare
- Tube feeding
- Dental and orthodontic services
- Alternative hearing assistance, and more
Employment support is also provided through WorkBC Employment Services.
They assist clients in finding employment or increase their chances of becoming employed by providing access to training, etc.
When leaving assistance after getting a job, you may qualify to keep some benefits, such as dental and vision care for kids.
How Much is Income Assistance in BC in 2022?
The maximum financial benefit you can qualify for varies with the size of your family and your situation.
For example, a single person can receive up to $935. This amount includes $560 in support allowance and $375 in shelter allowance.
You can use the income assistance table rate below to estimate your benefit amount:
Support Allowance:
| Unit Size | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $560 | $610 | N/A | $860 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2 | $955 | $1,055 | $710 | $1,255 | $1,505 | $1,010 | $760 | $1,005 |
| 3 | $1,055 | $1,155 | $710 | $1,355 | $1,605 | $1,010 | $760 | $1,105 |
| 4 | $1,055 | $1,155 | $710 | $1,355 | $1,605 | $1,010 | $760 | $1,105 |
| 5 | $1,055 | $1,155 | $710 | $1,355 | $1,605 | $1,010 | $760 | $1,105 |
| 6 | $1,055 | $1,155 | $710 | $1,355 | $1,605 | $1,010 | $760 | $1,105 |
| 7 | $1,055 | $1,155 | $710 | $1,355 | $1,605 | $1,010 | $760 | $1,105 |
Shelter Allowance:
| Size of Family Unit | Minimum Shelter Allowance | Maximum Shelter Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $75 | $375 |
| 2 persons | $150 | $570 |
| 3 persons | $200 | $665 |
| 4 persons | $225 | $715 |
| 5 persons | $250 | $765 |
| 6 persons | $275 | $815 |
| 7 persons | $300 | $865 |
Families with children under age 19 may qualify for a monthly child benefits top-up supplement.
The minimum shelter allowance increases by an extra $25 for each additional dependent when the unit size exceeds 7.
And maximum shelter allowance benefits increase by an extra $50 for each additional dependent when the unit size exceeds 7.
As shown in the tables above, you can receive a maximum of:
- $935 if you are single
- $1,525 if you and your spouse are receiving income assistance and have no children
- $1,280 if you are a single parent with one child, etc.
Who is Eligible for BC Income Assistance?
You may be eligible for income assistance in BC if you can’t work, have lost your job, or are working and your income is not sufficient to cover your basic needs.
Assistance is also available if you need urgent access to food, shelter, or medical support.
If you are receiving income assistance for the first time, you will be required to actively search for work for at least 3 weeks. The same work search requirement applies to those who are returning to income assistance.
Work search requirements are waived in some cases, such as when there is a physical or mental condition that prevents a client from working or if a client is unable to legally work in Canada.
If you are unable to find work, an intake worker will conduct an eligibility assessment to determine whether you qualify for income assistance.
If you don’t meet the eligibility requirements for income or disability assistance, you may still qualify for financial support. This month-to-month temporary benefit is referred to as “Hardship Assistance”.
How To Apply For BC Income Assistance
You can apply for BC income assistance online using the My Self Serve online portal.
Alternatively, you can visit your local ministry office or call 1-866-866-0800.
Offices are located in different communities including:
- Vancouver
- Vancouver Island/Coast
- Lower Mainland/South Coast
- Fraser Valley
- Thompson-Okanagan/Kootenay
- Cariboo/Nechako/North Coast/Northeast regions
When applying, you will need to provide information about your income, assets, family, shelter costs, bank balance, debts, eligibility for EI, etc.
You should also have your social insurance number handy.
What if your Income Assistance Application is Denied?
If your income or disability assistance application is denied, you can request a reconsideration.
You have up to 20 days after a decision is made to file a reconsideration request. Contact your local office or call 1-866-866-0800 for the form.
If you do not agree with the outcome following a reconsideration, you can file an appeal.
BC Income Assistance Increase in 2022
Income assistance and disability payments were increased in the 2021 budget, with a hike of $175 per month.
No further increases in income assistance have been announced for 2022.
Income Assistance FAQs
What day is welfare in BC?
BC welfare dates for the remainder of 2022 fall on June 22, July 20, August 24, September 21, October 26, November 23, and December 21.
How much does income assistance pay in BC?
How much you receive is based on the size of your family unit, and your shelter and financial situation. A single individual can receive up to $935, and a couple who are both on assistance can get $1,525 if they have no children.
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