Difference between revisions of "I Have No Money for Food or Shelter"

After finishing this first stage of the welfare <span class="noglossary">application</span>, 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 an eligibility interview with MSDSI, <span class="noglossary">application</span> which is a detailed interview, 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 eligibility interview. If you don't qualify for regular welfare, you may still qualify for a [http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/hardship/ hardship benefit]. Some kinds of hardship benefits (but not all) must be repaid to MSDSI.

| tips = One exception to the requirement to do a three or five week work search before the eligibility 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 [http://www.gov.bc.ca/meia/online_resource/application/bcea_stage1/policy.html BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) Application Policy].}}