Additional Allowances and Welfare Benefits (21:IX)

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by the Law Students' Legal Advice Program on August 1st, 2023.

The Ministry may provide a number of additional supplements in certain specific circumstances. This section will outline some of these supplements. However, Part 5, Divisions 1-4 and 6 of the EAR and Part 5, Divisions 1-3 and 5 of the EAPWDR will need to be reviewed for complete details.

A. Housing Stability Supplement

Ordinarily a family unit’s benefit entitlement is reduced when a member is absent or passes away. This sudden shift can be disruptive to the family’s finances. The Housing Stability Supplement (HSS) may be provided to an eligible family unit in certain scenarios if there is a temporary absence or death of a member of the family unit. The amount that may be provided is up to the maximum combined shelter and support allowance (or equivalent) at the rate prior to the temporary absence or death.

The HSS may be provided if a child within the family unit is being cared for under the Child, Family, and Community Service Act. There are no time limitations for this scenario; the HSS may be provided so long as an MCFD social worker confirms that the parent is actively working toward the child’s return, and the child remains in temporary care under the legislation (so, for example, the HSS would end if a continuing custody order was made).

The HSS may be provided for up to three months in the following scenarios:

• A member of the family unit is in a special care facility, (e.g., temporary residential care, alcohol and drug treatment facility);
• A member of the family unit is in a private hospital (e.g., nursing home or convalescent home) or is hospitalized receiving extended care;
• A member of the family unit has been temporarily incarcerated; or
• A member of the family unit passes away.

The HSS may be provided for up to an additional 3 months in extenuating circumstances, which may include, but are not limited to:

• A client in a special care facility (e.g., temporary residential care, or an alcohol and drug treatment facility) is scheduled to be discharged during the fourth month.
• A client with a deceased spouse has found a new accommodation but it will not become available for four months.

For more information consult the Housing Stability Supplement section of the BCEA Policy & Procedure Manual.

B. Crisis Supplements

A crisis supplement is a one-time grant for a welfare recipient who requires an “unexpected item of need” and is unable to obtain it due to lack of money or assets or inability to obtain credit. The Ministry provides crisis supplements pursuant to s 59 of the EAR and s 57 of the EAPWDR and do not have to be repaid.

Before issuing a crisis supplement, the Ministry must decide that failure to obtain that item will result in:

• Imminent danger to the physical health of any person in the family unit or
• Removal of a child under the Child, Family and Community Service Act.

A person might be eligible for a crisis supplement to buy necessities like winter coats, baby cribs, or a new appliance. If a recipient loses possessions in a fire, runs out of food or fuel, receives a Hydro cut-off threat, or must make an essential house repair, they may ask the Ministry for a crisis supplement.

The legislation sets out maximum amounts for crisis supplements. As of August 1, 2023 those rates are:

• For food, $50 per person per month;
• For clothes, $110 per person per year or $400 per family per year, whichever is less;
• For shelter, the family unit’s monthly benefit rate (i.e. shelter portion plus support portion).

If a recipient needs a crisis supplement to pay for fuel for heating or cooking meals, hydro, or water, the amount of the crisis supplement can exceed the limit that applies to crisis supplements for shelter. See EAR section 59(7) and EAPWDR section 57(7). Also see the note below about BC Hydro’s Customer Emergency Fund.

If the crisis supplement is for clothing or furniture, the Ministry may ask the applicant to look for second-hand goods. They may ask the applicant to get three estimates for the cost of the service of goods required.

There is no yearly limit to how much a family unit can receive in crisis supplements

The amount of a crisis supplement is not subject to appeal, but an applicant can appeal the denial of a crisis supplement.

1. BC Hydro Customer Crisis Fund

BC Hydro has a “Customer Crisis Fund” (“CCF”), which helps pay off hydro arrears for residential customers who are experiencing a “temporary financial crisis” due to a “life event” within the past 12 months (e.g. a death in the family, unanticipated medical expenses, loss of income… etc.). The CCF assists customers who are overdue on their payments and facing disconnection of their services. Maximum annual grants are $500 for customers with non-electrical heat in their homes, or $600 for those heating their homes with electricity. Customers do not need to be on welfare to apply for this grant. More information on eligibility and applications for the Customer Crisis Fund can be found on the BC Hydro Website: https://app.bchydro.com/accounts-billing/bill-payment/ways-to-pay/customer-crisis-fund.html

C. Other Supplements

Apart from crisis supplements, other supplements that may be available under the legislation include:

• A pre-natal shelter supplement;
• A Christmas supplement;
• School start-up supplements;
• Clothing and transportation supplements for people confined to special care facilities;
• Supplements where a person needs to obtain new proof of identity;
• Supplements associated with an employment plan or a confirmed job;
• Moving and transportation supplements;
• Supplements for security deposits, including pet deposit supplements;
• Advances for lost, stolen, delayed, or suspended family bonus cheques;
• Supplements for guide animals;
• Seniors’ supplements;
• Funeral, burial, or cremation supplements; and
• Transportation supplements.

NOTE: This is a non-exhaustive list. Some of these supplements are repayable and others are not. See Part 5 of the EAR and EAPWDR for details.

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