BC Employment and Assistance
Additional Assistance for British Columbians in Need
Senior's Supplement
The Senior's Supplement is a monthly payment provided by the Province of British Columbia through the Employment and Assistance Act. The Senior's Supplement ensures a conditionally guaranteed income level for B.C. residents receiving federal Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income supplement or federal Allowances.
If the income level of an eligible senior's total income falls below the level guaranteed by the province, the supplement is provided to make up the difference. The maximum monthly supplement will be $49.30 for single seniors and $120.50 for senior couples and is paid automatically to eligible recipients. Seniors do not have to apply.
For more information please call 1-866-866-0800 (press 4, then 1)
Senior's Supplement Program
9950 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria V8W 9R3
Bus Pass
The Bus Pass Program offers a low cost, annual bus pass providing pass holders access on any scheduled BC Transit or Translink route. Bus passes are available to eligible, low income seniors and provincial persons with disabilities clients. Passes are valid in those communities serviced by BC Transit or Greater Vancouver Transit (Translink) authority. The bus pass does not provide for an attendant, and is not valid on Handy Dart.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a bus pass, you must be:
- Receiving Federal Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or receiving Spouse’s Allowance to Old Age Security
- Over 65 years of age – would qualify for OAS and GIS except having less than 10 years residency in Canada
- Receiving Income Assistance (60 – 64 years of age)
- Receiving Income Assistance for persons with disabilities (18 – 64 years of age)
Cost
The bus pass is provided for an administrative fee of $45 per year and is valid for one calendar year, expiring on December 31. The fee is not prorated for applicants applying part way through the year.
Contact Us
When contacting the bus pass program by any of the methods listed below, please provide as much identifying information as possible; NAME, SOCIAL INSURANCE NUMBER (SIN), PHONE NUMBER, DATE OF BIRTH AND SPOKEN LANGUAGE so we may serve you better.
Phone: 1-866-866-0800 press 4, then press 3
Email: HSDBUSPA@gov.bc.ca Please note: Our office is not able to reply via email – you will receive a telephone response. If you email the bus pass program, please include a telephone number for staff to call you back.
Mail:
Provincial Services Bus Pass Program
PO Box 9985, STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9R6
Hours of Operation
Phone service is available Monday – Friday between 9:00am – 4:00pm.
Demand for bus passes is very high. Peak call volume occurs between 11:00am – 2:00pm.
Please note: We are required to speak with clients directly. If you are calling on behalf of a client, we require the client’s verbal or written consent.
FAQ
Special Transportation Subsidy (STS)
Special Transportation Subsidy (STS) is provided to recipients of disability assistance who live in areas where the Bus Pass program is available, but are unable to use public transportation due to their disability or because it would make their disability worse.
To qualify for the STS, people must:
- be in receipt of a disability allowance under the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act;
- reside in an area where the Bus Pass program is available;
- provide certification from a physician verifying:
- that they are unable to use the Bus Pass program or any other form of subsidized public transportation service (such as handyDART and Taxi Savers) due to their disability, or, that their disability would be aggravated by using public transportation; and
- the alternative form of transportation required to accommodate the disability (examples: operating a personal vehicle or paying others for transportation)
BC Family Bonus
The BC Family Bonus is a program administered by the Ministry of Small Business & Revenue that provides a tax-free payment to moderate-income families with dependent children.
The BC Family Bonus makes it easier for families with children to leave and stay off income assistance because they can continue to receive the bonus for their children while working or going to school.
Families receive the BCFB as part of a payment called the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB). Also included in this payment are the federal Child Tax Benefit, the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS) and the BC Earned Income Benefit (BCEIB).
The CCTB payment is calculated on the previous year's income tax return, so it is important that all families, including BC Employment and Assistance clients remember to file their returns on time. Clients should also know that lump sum CCTB payments do affect eligibility for income assistance.
Clients can receive the CCTB through either the mail or electronic deposits to their bank accounts.
Go to: Schedule of CCTB Payment Dates (Gov't of Canada)
For more information on the CCTB, or any of the individual payments, please contact Canada Custom and Revenue Agency at 1 800 387-1193.
BC Healthy Kids
The BC Healthy Kids Program helps low income families with the costs associated with basic dental care and prescription eyewear for their children. Dependent children under 19 years of age, in families receiving any level of Medical Services Plan (MSP) premium assistance through the Ministry of Health Services, are eligible for the BC Healthy Kids Program.
More information on the BC Healthy Kids Program
1-866-866-0800 (press 4, then 2)
BC Healthy Kids Program
9950 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria V8W 9R3
Community Assistance Program
The Community Assistance Program (CAP) helps community groups in urban centres provide services to people who experience multiple barriers to independence. Service can also provide more support for those who wish to participate in pre-employment and employment training programs.
Services supported through this fund are targeted to people with multiple barriers, including:
- persons with a diagnosed mental illness;
- persons with an identified substance abuse problem;
- persons with less than grade 10 who have an identified problem with basic literacy;
- any age group where high unemployment exists; and
- homeless persons.
Hostels and Shelters
The Ministry of Social Development teams with community partners to add emergency shelter beds and improve co-ordination of shelter services to homeless people year round in cold and wet weather.
For more information on the BC Employment and Assistance Program, please see fact sheets.
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