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Getting help with costs in your region

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If you are sick or having trouble finding a job, you may need help paying for food, rent or medicine. There are different programs that can help you with some of these costs. Income assistance, also sometimes called financial assistance or social assistance, is for people who need help paying for these basic needs. If you apply for income assistance, you may want to talk to your case worker about your health and money concerns so they can get you the most help possible.

 
Programs in British Columbia

BC Employment and Assistance

In British Columbia, you can apply for BC Employment and Assistance, usually just called Income Assistance, if you need help paying for basics like food, rent, clothing and medicine. The amount of money you can get every month depends on things like how much money you make, the size of your family and your medical needs.  If your application for Income Assistance is approved, you will get a cheque every month to help pay for these basic costs.

A government program called PharmaCare will also pay for your prescription drugs and health benefits like dental and eye care. The BC Employment and Assistance program can also help pay for things like transportation to medical appointments and special food you may need for your medical condition.  Your Employment and Assistance Worker (EAW) will be able to tell you what benefits you can apply for. 

If you have been living with Hep C for at least one year and your illness is making it hard to find or keep a job, you may want to ask if you can be considered a Persons with Persistent and Multiple Barriers (PPMB). If you’re not able to work for certain periods of time because of your Hep C, this program provides you with more money every month than the regular Income Assistance cheque so you can pay for your living and health care needs.  Also, you may qualify for extra benefits for Persons with Disabilities which will provide you with the highest amount of Income Assistance available.

BC Employment Program

When you receive Income Assistance you can get extra help with education, training and finding a job through the BC Employment Program.  You can ask your EAW or contact your local Housing and Social Development Office to get more information on what programs can help you find work.

To apply for Income Assistance, PPMB or disability benefits, you can either call 1-866-866-0800 to set up an interview or contact your local Housing and Social Development Office.    

If your application for Income Assistance is turned down or you think that the amount of your monthly cheque is wrong, you have the right to challenge the decision by making an appeal.  You can either talk to your EAW or a supervisor at your local Housing and Social Development Office to get the forms to make an appeal.


 
Programs in Canada

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

If you’ve worked before in Canada, your employer probably made deductions on your paycheque for Employment Insurance (EI) and CPP. When you retire (usually when you’re 65) you can collect CPP but CPP also has a disability program for people who can’t work because they’re sick.

Programs in Canada

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

If you've worked before in Canada, your employer probably made deductions on your paycheque for Employment Insurance (EI) and CPP. When you retire (usually when you're 65) you can collect CPP but CPP also has a disability program for people who can't work because they're sick. Click here for more information on how to apply for CPP Disability and remember you have the right to appeal if they say you don't qualify.

Employment Insurance (EI)

EI is a program for people who have stopped working because they were laid off (EI Regular Benefits), had a baby (EI Maternity and Parental Benefits) or are too sick to work (EI Sick Benefits). EI payments cover a shorter period of time and it's for people who have had a job in the last year or so.

Jobs with Benefits

Some jobs come with sick pay or disability benefits that can pay you if you have to stop working. You can ask your Human Resources (HR) department what coverage you have at work. You can also ask about Employment Assistance Programs (EAPs) which help people with short-term counselling or referrals.

Published 2010.