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Online Resources - BC Employment & Assistance

Online Resources

Welcome to the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance Online Resource.

The Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance provides services that move people toward sustainable employment and assists individuals and families in need. To assist the public in accessing information about ministry policy, programs and services, the Online Resource serves as a one-stop entry point. The Online Resource also helps the public access information more quickly and efficiently.

Information in the Online Resource is organized into topic categories. To view an expanded list of available topics, click on the appropriate category and then on the desired topic to have its home page displayed. Topic home pages provide an overview and links to relevant acts and regulations, policy, rate tables and resources for the public, such as fact sheets and brochures. Topics are updated regularly to provide the most current information available to the public.

For more information on how to use the Online Resource, please visit our Navigation Tips page.

A printable, expanded Table of Contents  is also available to assist you with navigation.

What's New

May 15, 2008

Persons with Disabilities Designation

Policy has been updated to include ministry intent to ensure that persons applying for or intending to apply for PWD designation can receive income assistance and retain their assets up to the limits applicable to recipients of disability assistance, until their designation is determined.

Regulatory amendment to the Employment and Assistance Regulation and changes to policy to allow applicants' assets to be tested at higher asset limits allowed to disability assistance recipients, while waiting for the determination of their PWD designation. Also clarifies asset limits during the reconsideration or appeal process and the repayment of income assistance received while waiting for the PWD designation.

Verification and Eligibility

Policy has been updated to include ministry intent to ensure that persons applying for or intending to apply for PWD designation can receive income assistance and retain their assets up to the limits applicable to recipients of disability assistance, until their designation is determined.

Regulatory amendment to the Employment and Assistance Regulation and change to policy to allow applicants' assets to be tested at higher asset limits allowed to disability assistance recipients, while waiting for the determination of their PWD designation.

May 5, 2008

Verification and Eligibility

Introducing regulatory amendments which exempt as assets, the following:
The retroactive compensation awards (OIC #254, B.C. Reg. 87/2008), including interest for pain and suffering, made under the Criminal Injury Compensation Act, for minor claimants who were victims of assault and who registered their claim from 1980 to 1992 in which these compensation decisions were deferred. 

The quarterly Climate Action Tax Credit and the one-time Climate Action Dividend (OIC #268, B.C. Reg. 94/2008), which was introduced in the 2008 provincial budget.  The Climate Action Tax Credit and Dividend is intended to encourage British Columbians to reduce their environmental footprint by instilling awareness around climate action initiatives.  First payments are anticipated for June 2008. 

The exemption would apply to applicants and recipients of income assistance, disability assistance and hardship assistance. Policy has been updated to reflect this change.

May 1, 2008

General Supplements

New policy provides direction regarding the Funeral Services Fees.
As a result of a review of the ministry flat fee structure, changes have been made as follows:

  • the amount and structure of the flat fee has been changed;
  • differential fee for deceased under 12 years of age has been eliminated;
  • Funeral Service Provider’s Fee has been increased with two levels of service established:
    • fee for basic services (immediate dispositions) has been established up to $1285.  This fee applies to all deceased persons, regardless of age;
    • an extra fee for additional services such as embalming, memorial services, and open casket services has been established at a maximum fee of up to $815;
  • where relevant, the option for immediate dispositions has been added to the options available to legal representatives.

General Supplements Rate table updated to reflect changes.

Reconsideration and Appeal

Amendments have been made to Employment and Assistance Regulation Section 80, and Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation Section 72, to authorize the Minister, at the Minister's discretion and with the client's consent, to allow up to 10 additional business days for reconsideration adjudicators to seek clarification or for the client to obtain and submit additional information.

New policy and resources for clients information added to support these amendments.

April 30, 2008

Health Supplements and Programs

Introducing the addition of  Schedule of Fee Allowances for Dentists and Denturists added to Resources for Clients and introducing the Dental Information Line for enquiries on the ministry's dental supplements.

April 22, 2008

Health Supplements and Programs

Introducing a new name for the topic formerly, Physiotherapy, Massage Therapy, Chiropractic and Podiatry Services and to include Acupuncture and Naturopathic Therapies as partially funded services under Schedule C once MSP premium assistance visits have been exhausted. These services will be funded at a rate of $23 per visit and will expand treatment options available to clients. Regulation amended to affect this change. EA Regulation: Schedule C, Section 2 and EAPWD Regulation: Schedule C, Section 2. New policy and definition included.

New policy under Non-Eligible Items to remove references to PharmaCare's policy with respect to breast prosthesis.
PharmaCare provides coverage for this item.

April 4, 2008

Announcing that the Online Resource Table of Contents, is now live-linked to access specific Topic Home Pages within the OLR directly. This adds another navigation path through the Online Resource for users.

March 17, 2008

General Supplements

  • Community Volunteer Supplement 
    The Employment and Assistance Regulation, section 52, and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation, section 47, have been amended by OIC 148, BC Reg 47/2008.

This change notice introduces a regulatory amendment and policy changes which increase access to the community volunteer supplement (CVS) by allowing more than one person in a family unit to receive CVS.  The supplement is intended to cover clothing, transportation or other expenses that are needed for a recipient or dependent child 15 years of age or over to participate in a community volunteer program.

Other changes list all categories of persons with no employment-related obligations that may be eligible for CVS to bring the policy in line with the Employment and Assistance Regulation and Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation.

Question and Answer fact sheet updated in Resources for Clients.

Verification and Eligibility

  • Income and Exemptions
    Amendments include the EA Regulation, Schedule B - section 1(a) and the EAPWD Regulation, Schedule B - section 1(a).

  • Assets and Exemptions
    Amendments include the EA Regulation, Section 11(1), and the EAPWD Regulation, section 10(1).

  • Eligibility for Hardship Assistance
    Amendments include the EA Regulation, Schedule D - section 6 and the EAPWD Regulation, Schedule D - section 6.

Introducing a regulatory amendment which exempts, as an asset, a working income tax benefit, and disability supplement received under the Income Tax Act (Canada).  The benefit and the supplement are exempt when received through a prepayment or as part of an individual's income tax return.

March 11, 2008

Verification and Eligibility

Policy has been updated regarding Child in Home of a Relative (CIHR) applications. Amendments include a definition of "relative" and an outline of living in the home part-time.