Ministry of Housing and Social Development

Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities

The Government of British Columbia has recently redesigned B.C.'s income assistance programs. The new system, while focusing on employment for those clients who are able to work, ensures that assistance is there for persons with disabilities.

Currently Persons with Disabilities receive the highest rate of assistance available in British Columbia and the third highest among Canadian provinces.

The Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act specifically includes:

  • a new definition based on a person's ability to carry out daily living activities;
  • the recognition of mental illness as a disability; and,
  • the right to participate in the labour force [as one is able] while maintaining the disability designation.

For more information, please see: