Students who are enrolled in unfunded programs (where student loans are not available)—such as high school completion and adult basic education or students whose post-secondary education is sponsored under a federal or provincial government plan—may remain eligible for income assistance if they have received prior approval from the minister. See EAR s 16(1)(b).
Single parents approved for the Single Parent Employment Initiative may also remain eligible for income assistance or PPMB benefits while they attend a funded program of studies (providing those studies are required in their Employment Plan). See EAR s 16(1.2)
Part-time students remain eligible for income assistance provided other eligibility requirements, including employment obligations, are met.
Certain == J. Student funding and income exemptions == For students who receive '''disability assistance''', education and training allowances, scholarships, grants, bursaries and money from an RESP are all exempted as income. However, student loans advanced to recipients of welfare benefits disability assistance are only exempt as income up to the amount of the person’s “education costs” and “daycare costs.” Both those terms are defined in section 8 of Schedule B to the EAPDWR Regulation. Certain students who receive grants'''income assistance or PPMB benefits''' can have funds from training allowances, scholarships, student loans, a training allowancegrants, bursaries, scholarships, or withdraw money from RESPs for education-related expenses, can have those monies exempted by MSDSI as their “income” up to the amount of their education costs (for tuition, books, compulsory student fees, “education costs” and reasonable transportation “childcare costs) and .” related childcare expensesBoth those terms are defined in section 8 of Schedule B to the EAR. This applies if: *The student is the dependent child (under 19) of a welfare recipient; *The student has the PWD designation of income assistance or is the dependant of a person with the PWD designationPPBM benefits;*The person is a part-time student in a program that is not eligible for student loan funding; *The person has received prior permission from MSDSI to enroll as a full-time student in a program that is not eligible for student loan funding; OR *The student has been excused by MSDSI from having employment-related obligations under s 29(4) of the EAR, and is enrolled part-time in a program that is eligible for student loan funding; * The student is a part time student in a program that is eligible for student loans (note that students in this situation cannot have grants, bursaries or scholarships from Canada Student Loans exempted as income);OR * The student is in Ministry’s Single Parent Employment Initiative and in a program that is eligible for student loans (note that students in this situation cannot have grants, bursaries or scholarships from Canada Student Loans exempted as income).
== JK. Leaving the Province for More Than 30 Days ==
Recipients who leave British Columbia for more than a total of 30 days in a calendar year usually cease to be eligible for income assistance (EAR, s 17 and EAPWDR, s 15).
If a recipient wishes to leave the province for more than 30 days in a calendar year, he or she should try to obtain prior authorization for continued assistance. The minister has discretion to authorize absences required to avoid undue hardship, to allow participation in a formal education program, or to obtain medical therapy that has been prescribed by a medical practitioner.
== KL. 24-Month Time Limit on Welfare Removed ==
As of Prior to October 1 October , 2012, EAR, s 27 no longer applies. Formerly, recipients classified as employable were only eligible for benefits for a total period of 24 months out of every 60 months(see former section 27 of the EAR). Now, there is no longer a time limit and after 24 months there will be no reduction in benefits.
== LM. If the EAW Denies Welfare ==
If a person is denied welfare due to ineligibility, ensure that they receive this in writing, as they may want to challenge this decision. They may also still be eligible for hardship assistance.