I Have No Money for Food or Shelter

The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation (MSDSI) is responsible for providing welfare support in BC, also known as income assistance benefits. The one exception is where the applicant lives on an Indian reserve. For people living on reserve, welfare programs are the responsibility of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC, formerly known as Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada) and are administered by Indian bands and tribal councils.

Both MSDSI and INAC can provide funds for shelter and support to people who qualify for regular welfare benefits, including disability benefits (see the section in this Guide "I need to apply for disability benefits"). In some cases, they can also provide hardship benefits for people who don't qualify for regular welfare benefits. Workers at MSDSI and Indian bands will also know about emergency shelters in the area.

If you live on an Indian reserve, call the Indian band office and ask to speak to the social development worker. This person can help with your application for welfare.

First steps

1. Applying for welfare in BC has two stages. You can start the first stage in three ways:
   • by calling the MSDSI Call Centre at 1-866-866-0800, and telling them that you want to apply for welfare,
   • by completing the welfare application process online using the self serve assessment tool at www.iaselfserve.gov.bc.ca (you must know your SIN number to apply online), or
   • by going in person to an MSDSI office.
2. At this first stage, if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical attention, and cannot wait between three to five weeks to start receiving welfare benefits, then you need to tell the MSDSI worker. Ask for an Immediate Needs Assessment. If you are eligible for an Immediate Needs Assessment, MSDSI should complete a stage two interview with you within one business day. If MSDSI can't schedule your stage two interview that quickly, it should make sure your immediate needs are met (for example, by giving you food vouchers, money or bus tickets if you need medical transportation, etc.), until your interview can be held.

As of early 2016, MSDSI offices and the Call Centre were experiencing significant backlogs, causing delays in Immediate Needs Assessments. If you are in serious need and are not getting a prompt response from MSDSI or the Call Centre, speak with an advocate.

What happens next

After finishing this first stage of the welfare application, most people have to spend three or five weeks looking for work, and provide MSDSI with proof of their work search. During those three to five weeks you do not receive any financial help from MSDSI. A five week work search applies if neither you nor your partner have received welfare in BC before. A three week work search applies if you or your partner have previously received welfare in BC. Once your work search is over, you move on to stage two of the welfare application process. Stage two is a detailed interview with MSDSI, in person or by phone, to see if you are eligible for income assistance or hardship benefits.

If you qualify for welfare, MSDSI should get funds to you shortly after your stage two interview. If you don't qualify for regular welfare, you may still qualify for a hardship benefit. Some kinds of hardship benefits (but not all) must be repaid to MSDSI.

One exception to the requirement to do a three or five week work search before the stage two interview with MSDSI is if you have an urgent need for shelter, food or medical attention. There are other exceptions, like single parents with a child under three, or people leaving an abusive relationship. For a full list of people who do not have to do a three or five week work search, see the BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Application Policy.

Where to get help

See the Resource List in this Guide for a list of helpful resources. Your best bets are:

• The Legal Services Society publications Your Welfare Rights: A Guide to BC Employment and Assistance and Social Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia.
• BC Employment and Assistance website for online orientation and further information.
• PovNet, for their "Find An Advocate" feature for welfare advocates near you.
• Access Pro Bono, Lawyer Referral Service, and private bar lawyers.
• The Clicklaw common question "I have to go on welfare. What do I need to know before I apply?." Clicklaw has many common questions on the topic "Pensions, benefits & welfare."

Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form Preparing for Your Interview included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case.

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by Alison Ward, January 2016.

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