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Online Resources - BC Employment & Assistance

Online Resources

Welcome to the Ministry of Housing and Social Development Online Resource.

The Ministry 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

August 8, 2008

General Supplements

Policy update to confirm calculation process for retroactive payments when eligible for Seniors Supplement prior to enrolment.

August 7, 2008

Health Supplements and Programs

New Definition and policy updates to replace Medical Services Plan to Health Insurance BC (HIBC).

August 1, 2008

Verification and Eligibility

Hardship

Policy updated to reflect that no retroactive OAS payments are repayable to the ministry from recipients who receive assistance pending OAS eligibility.

July 30, 2008

Health Supplements

Policy has been updated to improve client service and list diet criteria outlined in legislation. Guidelines for reviewing diet supplements have been updated and information on review of both initial requests and reviews for continuation of a diet supplement have been revised.

July 28, 2008

Employment Programs and Community Services

New policy outlines eligiblity criteria for ministry clients to participate in an Aborginal Human Resources Development Agreement (AHRDA) program. Aboriginal clients have the option of receiving employment services through AHRDA service providers while continuing to receive income assistance.

July 17, 2008

Health Supplements and Programs

General Supplements

This addition to policy confirms the use of taxi authorizations for medical transportation when other methods of transportation are not viable (for local purposes).

July 15, 2008

Reconsideration and Appeal

Policy amended to confirm that a client can request reconsideration and appeal of a decision that concerns the discontinuance of assistance due to non-compliance with a condition of an Employment Plan.

July 10, 2008

General Supplements

Change of policy effective June 1, 2008, confirms the eligibility of Refugee Claimants, clients in Canada under a Temporary Resident Permit, and clients under a removal order that cannot be executed, to receive a Family Bonus top-up if all eligibility requirements are met.  This change is in accordance with other areas of policy that were updated June 1, 2008.

Verification and Eligibility

Effective July 10, 2008, policy amendments have been made to the Refugee Claimants section that:

  1. recognizes both "refugee protection claim form" and "Temporary Resident Permit" as Immigration form 1442 that clients may provide as primary identification; and
  2. requires only one piece of primary identification for applicants in Canada on an Temporary Resident Permit, as refugee claimants, or under a removal order that cannot be executed, when applying for income and disability assistance.

July 7, 2008

Health Supplements

Medical Services Only (MSO) policy has been amended for families leaving assistance for the Crime Victim Assistance (CVA) program. This change allows for the family unit of persons eligible for health supplements set out in section 2 or 3 of Schedule C, who leave assistance for CVA, to retain eligibility for MSO coverage indefinitely, as long as they continue to live in BC.

Medical Services Only is also extended to persons wth PWD designation, or their spouse, who leave disability assistance for financial assistance through the Ministry of Children and Family Development's (MCFD) Agreements with Young Adults (AYA). AYA will provide supports to 19 to 24 year-olds who were in a Continuing Custody Order or were in a Youth Agreement at age 19. In addition to premium-free MSP coverage, Pharmacare, dental and optical coverage, MCFD's AYA supports may include financial support for living costs and basic medical supports to eligible clients who enrol in educational, vocational, job readiness or rehabilitative programs.  By extending MSO coverage to this group, MHSD will be providing access to general health supplements that are not otherwise covered by AYA.

New Definitions and Resource for Clients added to this topic.

Health Supplements

Policy in this topic has been amended to introduce guidelines for determining "medically essential for basic mobility" and to provide updated information on the warranty for major medical equipment.

July 1, 2008

General Supplements

Effective July 1, 2008, Senior Supplement Rate Table has been updated to reflect changes in the OAS/GIS Allowance for the Survivor.

June 30, 2008

Employment Strategies for PWD

Effective June 30, 2008 the Self-Employment Program’s policies have been simplified to better serve the needs of PWD and PPMB clients who have self employment income.

Verification and Eligibility

Effective June 30, 2008 policy change simplifies the administration of assistance for persons applying for assistance with a verifiable social insurance number, but no sin card. New policy added.

Hardship

Effective June 30, 2008 policy change  Under Hardship Code K simplifies the administration of assistance for persons applying for assistance with a verifiable social insurance number, but no sin card.

Hardship Code J policy eligibility has been simplified and may be issued up to 6 months ongoing. New policy added.

The previous Topic, Sin Card Required - Code K has been renamed Sin Required - Code K. This change reflects simplification of the administration of assistance for persons applying for assistance with a verifiable social insurance number, but no sin card. New policy added.

General Supplements

Effective June 30, 2008 policy change  Under Hardship Code K simplifies the administration of assistance for persons applying for assistance with a verifiable social insurance number, but no sin card. New policy added.

June 4, 2008

General Supplements

Links to British Columbia's Residential Tenancy Act and Residential Tenancy Regulations have been added to Resources for Clients in this topic.

June 1, 2008

Health Supplements

Effective June 1, 2008  new hearing aid policy and procedures have been implemented to simplify process for clients, ministry staff and hearing aid dealers and consultants. 

  • Only one quote is now required for all hearing aids under $2000. each.
  • The Trial period has been expanded from 30 to 60 days.
  • The Trial period payment has been eliminated, allowing full payment of the hearing aid to be made at the time of purchase.
  • Method of payment for aids over $2000. has been streamlined.
  • Eligibility criteria has been simplified for ease of use.

May 28, 2008

Verification and Eligibility

New policy introduces an amendment to the "Proof of Identity" section with the addition of "refugee protection claim form (IMM1442)" and "Temporary Resident Permit" as primary identification.

Effective June 1, 2008 new policy change for refugee claimants receiving hardship assistance under Code A.
OIC #219 (BC Reg. 69/2008) of the Employment and Assistance Regulation and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation allows the Ministry to issue regular income assistance and disability assistance to all clients who were formerly restricted to hardship assistance. This will include clients in Canada:

  • On a Temporary Resident Permit,
  • As refugee claimants, or
  • Under a removal order that cannot be executed

Hardship

Effective June 1, 2008 new policy change for refugee claimants receiving hardship assistance under Code A.
OIC #219 (BC Reg. 69/2008) of the Employment and Assistance Regulation and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation allows the Ministry to issue regular income assistance and disability assistance to all clients who were formerly restricted to hardship assistance. This will include clients in Canada:

  • On a Temporary Resident Permit,
  • As refugee claimants, or
  • Under a removal order that cannot be executed

The Topic Hardship  - Citizenship Requirements Not Met- Code A will no longer be required.

Health Supplements and Programs

Effective June 1, 2008, OIC #219 (BC Reg.68/2008) amends the Employment and Assistance Regulation and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation to allow eligibility for optical services to clients formerly covered under Hardship Code A.  This policy change ensures these clients will now be eligible for routine eye examinations once every two years, and other services as per regular Income Assistance and Disability Assistance eligibility.

Effective June 1, 2008 OIC #255, BC Reg. 88/2008 amends the Employment and Assistance Regulation and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation to include Pre-Natal Shelter Supplement to the Ineligible items, as not available to persons with Medical Services (MSO) files.

General Supplements

Effective June 1, 2008, new regulations (OIC #255, BC Reg. 88/2008) introduce a new Topic, Pre-Natal Shelter Supplement to the OLR. This topic explains the new pre-natal shelter supplement provided to single expectant mothers with no spouse and no dependent child. This supplement is intended to assist single pregnant recipients in meeting extra costs associated with securing and maintaining stable accommodation prior to the birth of their child.