This post covers the British Columbia income assistance payment dates for 2023, income assistance amounts, eligibility and how to apply for it.
Like other Canadian provinces, British Columbia provides social assistance or welfare to its residents with financial needs.
Learn about the payment dates, rates and eligibility and more in this post.
BC Income Assistance Payment Dates 2023
Also called “Welfare Wednesday” in British Columbia, the income assistance payments are issued on the third or fourth Wednesday of each month.
The BC income assistance payment/welfare dates for 2023 are:
| Benefit Month | Payment Date |
| January 2023 | December 21, 2022 |
| February 2023 | January 18, 2023 |
| March 2023 | February 15, 2023 |
| April 2023 | March 22, 2023 |
| May 2023 | April 19, 2023 |
| June 2023 | May 17, 2023 |
| July 2023 | June 21, 2023 |
| August 2023 | July 19, 2023 |
| September 2023 | August 23, 2023 |
| October 2023 | September 20, 2023 |
| November 2023 | October 25, 2023 |
| December 2023 | November 22, 2023 |
The January 2024 payments would be issued on December 20th, 2023 because payments for each benefit month are issued a few days before the end of the previous month.
You can receive the payments as a direct deposit in your bank account. This is the safe, convenient and preferred option that ensures you’ll receive your assistance amounts on the payment dates.
Instructions on how to set up direct deposits can be found here. Check below for information on how to receive the payments as a cheque instead.
GST/HST Credit and Canada Child Benefit amounts were reassessed in July 2023 using your 2022 income. Find out how much you can receive in the links.
BC Income Assistance Cheque Dates
If you prefer to receive your assistance payments as a cheque, you can either pick it up at a local government office or have it mailed to you.
The income assistance cheque issue dates are still the same as the payment dates above. But to ensure they are received on time by the income assistance payment dates, they’re sent out earlier by Sunday.
If you’ve selected the pickup option at a government office, the cheques will be delivered to the offices by Monday and be available for pickup afterwards.
What is BC Income Assistance?
The British Columbia income assistance program is a financial assistance incentive for those in need that have no other means of supporting themselves.
It provides a monthly income assistance rate that depends on the applicant’s situation and family size. Access to medical services plan coverage and PharmaCare prescription coverage is also provided where applicable.
Another key part of the program is helping recipients to transition to gainful employment through targeted employment services from WorkBC.
Income Assistance Benefits
The income assistance benefits include a monthly financial support and other benefits for eligible applicants. The details are provided below
Financial Support
Income assistance recipients get a monthly amount that covers their basic needs and is made up of the:
- Support rate; and
- Shelter allowance
How much you can get depends on your specific situation and the family size. The higher the family size, the more money you can receive.
A single recipient with no dependents can receive up to a maximum of $935 each month as income assistance, made up of $560 as support rate and $375 as shelter allowance.
On the other hand, a couple that both qualify for income assistance but have no children may receive up to $1,525.00 per month.
The income assistance rate for 2023 is summarized and shown in a subsequent section below.
Supplements
Like the Persons With Disability (PWD) benefit recipients, income assistance beneficiaries also receive additional services and money through the supplements benefits. There are 2 main categories that cover more than 30 different supplements:
- General Supplements
- Health Supplements
General supplements include Bus pass (cash or as bus pass), clothing, crisis supplement, guide dog and service dog, travel, pre-natal shelter, camp fees, Christmas bonus and many more.
Health Benefits include extended medical therapies, hearing instruments, alternative hearing assistance, Dental, Optical, medical supplies, equipment and devices, natal and nutritional supplement and so on.
The full list of supplements can be found here. Each supplement may have its own additional eligibility criteria. So you should contact the Ministry via phone, visit a local office or speak to your caseworker to know if you’re eligible and how to apply.
Employment Support through WorkBC
If you’re on Income Assistance and are able to work, you’ll be required to actively look for work. You’ll need to fill an employment plan that sets out the steps you’ll need to take to find work.
The plan is developed with an Employment Assistance worker and it is based on your skills, strengths and unique circumstances.
You may be referred to WorkBC or similar programs for additional help with your job search and job training.
Single parents are also eligible for extra support and training under this benefit.
Other Benefits
Income assistance recipients also get medical services plan coverage and no-deductible Pharmacare prescription coverage.
The benefits are kept for a year after beneficiaries get a job and their income assistance payment stops.
Eligibility for BC Income Assistance
The main criteria for receiving income assistance in British Columbia is that the applicant is in need and have no other way of supporting themselves.
If you’re in urgent need of food, medical attention or shelter, out of work or can’t cover your basic needs with your income, unable to work or waiting to receive other assistance, you may be eligible to receive income assistance.
You’ll have to prove that you’ve actively searched for work for 3 weeks if you’re a new income assistance applicant or returning to income assistance. This requirement is waived for some applicant such as those with a disability, aged 65 and above, fleeing an abusive relationship and so on.
Even if you’re deemed to be ineligible for income assistance but still need help, you can apply to receive hardship assistance in some instances. Check this page on information about how to contact the Ministry.
How to Apply for Income Assistance in BC
You can apply for British Columbia income assistance using any of the 3 options below:
- Apply online using My Self Serve
- Visit one of the local offices; or
- Call 1-866-866-0800
As part of the application, you’ll be required to provide some information, documents and identification. These include your social insurance number (SIN), bank account balances, ID for yourself and family, information about your rent, utilities and car payments.
Next is the work search, a period of 3 weeks during which you’re expected to look for work. You’ll be required to keep a record of your job search using a Work Search Activities form.
You can also contact your local WorkBC centre for help with your job search.
The work search requirement is waived for some categories of applicants.
If you’re still unable to find work, then a final eligibility assessment is scheduled over the phone or in the office with a caseworker. They’ll confirm all your information, calculate how much you can receive and, if applicable, help you develop an employment plan.
Reconsideration and Appeals
In the event that you’re deemed ineligible, you can request for a reconsideration of the decision within 20 business days. Simply visit your local office or call the number above.
The relevant form will be sent to you within 48 hours. Complete it and return to the office within 20 days of the original decision. You may request for 10 days extension after submitting the form if you need to add additional documents or information.
A reconsideration decision will be made within 10 working days.
And if you still disagree with this decision, your final recourse is to make an appeal to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal. You’ll have 7 business days to make an appeal and should receive a decision within 10 business days.
During the reconsideration and appeal period, you may be paid some income assistance while waiting for the decision. You can keep the money if the decision is in your favour, but will have to return it if the original decision is upheld.
How Much Does Income Assistance Pay in BC?
Your monthly income assistance amount is determined based on your individual situation, family unit size, whether both couples are eligible for assistance if married, designation as Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers (PPMB) and so on.
Family unit size means the number of individuals in a family – parents plus dependent children.
A married couple with a kid where both adults receive income assistance can get up to $1,720.00 per month in financial support. Singles with no children on the other hand can only receive a maximum amount of $935 ($560 in support rate + $375 in shelter allowance.)
| Unit Size | A | B | C | Shelter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $560 | $610 | $860 | $375 |
| 2 | $955 | $1,055 | $1,255 | $570 |
| 3 | $1,055 | $1,155 | $1,355 | $665 |
| 4 | $1,055 | $1,155 | $1,355 | $715 |
| 5 | $1,055 | $1,155 | $1,355 | $765 |
| 6 | $1,055 | $1,155 | $1,355 | $815 |
| 7 | $1,055 | $1,155 | $1,355 | $865 |
Keys:
A = Support Rate for Employable singles, couples, and two-parent families where all adults are under 65 years of age.
B = Support Rate for Singles, couples, and two-parent families where all adults meet the Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers (PPMB) criteria and all are under 65.
C = Support Rate for Singles, couples, and two-parent families where one adult is aged 65 years or older.
Note that support rates remain constant for family unit size 3 and above. However, the shelter rates continue to increase with small amounts. After unit size 7, shelter rates increase by $50 for each additional dependent.
You’ll be advised of how much you can get after your application is approved. But the amount may change from month to month depending on your income from other sources.
Can I Work while on Income Assistance?
You’re allowed to work while on income assistance in British Columbia. In fact, it is encouraged and one of the key requirements for getting the support is for you to look for work, if you’re able to.
And in many instances, you’ll earn more by working than staying on income assistance.
Your income assistance benefits will not automatically stop because you started working. However, the employment income beyond a certain amount will be used to access your continued eligibility for income assistance.
This table summarizes the exempt income for various categories of income assistance recipients:
| Category | Monthly Exempt Amount |
|---|---|
| All family units with a dependent child or who are caring for a supported child | $750 |
| A recipient in the family unit is a person with persistent multiple barriers | $900 |
| Dependent child who is a full-time student | $900 |
| All other family units eligible for income assistance | $500 |
Your income from other sources have varying effect on the income assistance. For example, Canada Child Benefit payments are exempted while Canada Pension Plan (CPP) are generally not exempt.
BC Income Assistance Increase 2023
Starting in April 2021, the Government of British Columbia increased the income and disability assistance payments by $175 across board.
Only the support rates were increased, shelter allowances remained the same.
The increases came after the temporary BC Recovery supplement that was introduced in 2020 came to an end in March 2021. Under the temporary supplement, beneficiaries received $300 per month as COVID-19 benefits in 2020, and $150 starting in January 2021.
With the new increase, a couple can now receive $1,525.00 instead of the previous amount of $1,427.22. Also, singles now receive a maximum of $935 compared to the previous $760.
However, no increase has been announced to the BC income assistance payments for 2023 yet.
Some FAQs: BC Income Assistance/Welfare Dates 2023
The welfare days in BC refer to the days in which income and disability assistance are disbursed to eligible BC residents.
With the increase in 2021, a single mother will receive up to $1,280.00 each month as income assistance.
Yes, income assistance recipients are encourage to look for work and accept work if they find one. In general, the first $500 net income each month is treated as exempt income and will not reduce how much you can get as income assistance.
The British Columbia Persons With Disability Benefit is another key financial assistance program from the provincial government.
Check the post below to learn about about the program, its payment dates and qualification.
Related:
I did not receive the 500.00 covid fund that was paid out in July.
I didn’t get one
I am on assistance in bc.
Bus passes are only issued to seniors/disabled/pwmb status.
Assistance for single parent is $1267 a month.
Payment dates are and have been for at least 7 years always on the 20th of each month or the last business day prior. We don’t have “welfare Wednesday ” here anymore and haven’t for a decade at least.
Hi Ashley – thanks for stopping by. The payment dates still fall on a Wednesday monthly
That may be for your child benefits but not welfare payments.
For 21 years I resided in Nanaimo, British Columbia. During that 21 years no one hired me. Also, the wicked ruthless, oppressive, racist welfare workers did not give me any money.
Currently I reside in Port Alberni, British Columbia. The wicked, ruthless, oppressive, racist welfare workers continues to refuse to give me any money.