Skip to main content

Skip to navigation

The access keys for this page are:

Online Resources - BC Employment & Assistance

Online Resources

Welcome to the Ministry of Social Development Online Resource.

The Online Resource (OLR) is a one-stop source for all BCEA policy, procedures and program information for eligibility for ministry employment and assistance programs.

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, procedures, contacts, rate tables and resources for the public, such as fact sheets and brochures.
  • Topics are updated regularly to provide the most current information available.

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

A Table of Contents listing all the Topics of the OLR is also available to assist you. You can open this Table of Contents and go directly to any Topic home page.

For access to the index, click here.

What's New

April 14, 2013

General Supplements

Effective March 4, 2013, EPBC Employment Program of British Columbia (EPBC) policy has been changed to allow all BCEA clients to access EPBC Job Start Supports.

April 12, 2013

Program Administration

Policy has been updated to clarify the powers of the Ombudsperson in requesting and receiving information from ministry staff during the course of an investigation. 

March 28, 2013

Health Supplements and Programs

This topic has been updated to reflect the expansion of the ministry’s optical program on a pilot basis, which will enable those on income and disability assistance to purchase eyewear online.

March 27, 2013

Application

Procedures in this topic have been amended to clarify procedures staff should follow when documenting an applicant/client’s fleeing abuse circumstances and updating their case.

Program Administration

Policy and procedures have been updated to provide best practices to use when working with clients with mental health issues.

Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities

A Frequently Asked Questions document has been added to Resources for Staff and Resources for Clients which provides information on commonly asked questions about the Self Employment Program.

March 19, 2013

Verification and Eligibility

Employment Programs and Community Services

These topics have been updated to reflect the addition of the Student Eligibility Matrix Resource for Staff, which clarifies eligibility for assistance rules for clients that are students.

March 8, 2013

General Supplements

Policies and procedures have been updated to reflect changes to the Bus Pass program due to the implementation of Integrated Case Management (ICM) Phase 3.

February 25, 2013

Verification and Eligibility

Application

Health Supplements and Programs

Policies and procedures in these topics have been amended to reflect the implementation of the BC Services Card by the Ministry of Health, which will serve as both a health card and government-issued identification. There are three different versions of the card: BC Driver’s License and Services Card (Combined Card), BC Services Card (Photo Card), and BC Services Card (Non-Photo Card).  The CareCard will remain a valid government-issued piece of identification until 2018. 

The Identification Requirements and BCEA Application Stage 2 topics have been updated to reflect that the BC Driver’s License and Services Card (Combined Card) and the BC Services Card (Photo Card) will be accepted as primary identification, while the BC Services Card (Non-Photo Card) will be accepted as secondary identification.

The Medical Services Plan and Medical Coverage topic explains the new process required when a client is applying for MSP coverage.

General Supplements

Health Supplements and Programs

These topics have been updated to reflect the implementation of the BC Services Card by the Ministry of Health, which will serve as both a health card and government-issued identification. 

February 18, 2013

Verification and Eligibility

Health Supplements and Programs

Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities

Policy and procedures have been amended in a number of topics to reflect the introduction of the Annualized Earnings Exemption (AEE). The AEE will allow individuals on disability assistance to use their earnings exemptions on an annual instead of monthly basis, better helping individuals whose ability to earn fluctuates during the year due to medical conditions.

The AEE is being phased in and this first phase will focus on individuals on disability assistance whose past earnings pattern shows they are most likely to benefit from an annualized earnings exemption. Clients chosen for this first phase of implementation must have:

  • had the PWD designation for at least one year;
  • received disability assistance for two consecutive months; and
  • declared earnings over the monthly earnings exemption limit at least once in the previous year.

January 30, 2013

Verification and Eligibility

A regulatory change has been made which will ensure that withdrawals from an RDSP are exempt as an asset.

January 1, 2013

Verification and Eligibility

Effective January 1, Ministry of Health introduced new client rates for residential care services and assisted living services in BC. Policy, procedures, and the rate table have been updated to reflect this change.

January 8, 2013

Health Supplements and Programs

New procedures have been added regarding the authorization of a taxi for local medical transportation. As a result, the HR2077 Taxi Authorization Register, will no longer be used.

General Supplements

New procedures have been added regarding the authorization of a taxi for transportation to and from an approved special care facility for residential alcohol and drug treatment in BC, when no other options are available. As a result,  the HR2077 Taxi Authorization Register, will no longer be used.