Difference between revisions of "Hardship Assistance and Welfare (21:VI)"

Applicants who do not qualify for regular monthly income assistance, PPMB benefits or disability assistance under the EAA or EAPWDA might still qualify for hardship assistance. See s 5 of the EAA and Part 4 of the EAR, and s 6 of the EAPWDA and Part 4 of the EAPWDR.  

The Ministry provides hardship assistance only for the month the applicant requests it. Applicants who are still in need the following month must apply again. Hardship rates are different for people with and without PWD or PPMB status.  Schedule D of the EAR and of the EAPWDR lists the maximum rates of hardship assistance.  Section 1 of Schedule D in each Regulation states that the Ministry does not entitle applicants in this category to a specific amount of hardship assistance and the actual amount is at the discretion of the Ministry, based on the financial need of the applicant. However, in practice, the Ministry usually grants eligible applicants the maximum hardship rate. A table showing the maximum hardship rates is available online at this link:  http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/bc-employment-and-assistance-rate-tables

The minister may require that applicants for hardship assistance enter an agreement to repay any assistance received under s 5 of the EAA and s 6 of the  EAPWDA. Only some categories of hardship assistance are repayable, as set out in Part 4 of the EAR and EAPWDR.