Open ProvincesSocial assistance in British Columbia: how to apply for income support
How to apply for income support (welfare) in British Columbia: where to start, what to bring and what to expect, from the official pages.
How to apply
Use My Self Serve to check eligibility and apply, or call 1-866-866-0800 or visit a local office. You need ID, your SIN, rent and utility costs and your bank balance. You must use other sources of income first, and most applicants must search for work for three weeks (exemptions include people fleeing abuse, single parents of a child under three, people with disabilities and people 65 or older).
Benefit amounts and asset limits change and some pages disagree, so they are not listed: ask the program. Rules, fees and programs change and were read on 2026-11-14: confirm with the official source. General information, not legal advice. Quebec follows its own rules: see atlasquebec.ca.
Guides for this province
- Renting in British Columbia: rights, rent increases and average rents
- Working in British Columbia: minimum wage, standards and wages
- Moving to British Columbia: health card, driver's licence and taxes
- Cost of living in British Columbia: prices, rent, wages and taxes
- Buying a home in British Columbia: land transfer tax, rebates and first-time buyer help
- Health care in British Columbia: health card, drug plans and dental help
- Studying in British Columbia: tuition, student aid and grants
- Seniors in British Columbia: pensions, supplements and programs
- Taxes in British Columbia: income tax rates, sales tax and take-home pay (2026)
- Families in British Columbia: child benefits and family programs
- Documents and ID in British Columbia: birth certificate and change of name
- Starting a business in British Columbia: register a name, GST/HST and licences
- Problems and disputes in British Columbia: consumer complaints, small claims, workplace injury and legal aid
- Driving and vehicles in British Columbia: switching your licence and what is required
- Photo ID card in British Columbia without a driver's licence: who can apply, documents and fee
- Getting married in British Columbia: marriage licence, fees and documents
- Health card in British Columbia: who qualifies, waiting period and how to register
- When someone dies in British Columbia: death certificate, estate and probate
- Registering a child for school in British Columbia: age, documents and where to sign up
- Child care in British Columbia: fees, finding a space and subsidies
- Immigrating to British Columbia: nominee program, steps and processing times
- Accessible parking permit in British Columbia: how to apply
- Alcohol rules in British Columbia: legal age and where to buy
- Car insurance in British Columbia: what is compulsory and where to buy it
- Cannabis rules in British Columbia: legal age, where to buy and where to use
- Disability income and supports in British Columbia: how to apply
- Prescription drug coverage in British Columbia: public plans and how to enrol
- Emergency preparedness in British Columbia: alerts, evacuation and your 72-hour kit
- Separation, parenting and child support in British Columbia: free help and enforcement
- Help for family violence and victims of crime in British Columbia
- Fishing and hunting licences in British Columbia: where to buy and what you need
- Health advice line (811) in British Columbia: speak to a nurse any time
- Indigenous relations and services in British Columbia: who does what
- Marriage licence fee in British Columbia
- New drivers in British Columbia: graduated licensing stages and minimum ages
- Provincial parks and camping reservations in British Columbia
- Probate fees in British Columbia: what an estate pays
- Social assistance in British Columbia: how to apply for income support
- Social housing and rent help in British Columbia: how to apply
- Student loans and grants in British Columbia: where to apply
- Voting in British Columbia: register, check your status and find your election office
- Wills, powers of attorney and health care directives in British Columbia