BC Income Assistance Dates in 2023 and Benefit Amounts

British Columbia’s income assistance program provides a monthly benefit to individuals who need urgent financial help.

In this guide, we cover BC income assistance payment dates, eligibility requirements, benefit amounts, and how to apply.

If you are not yet signed up for direct deposit payments, you will also learn about the income assistance cheque dates in BC.

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BC Income Assistance Payment Dates 2023

BC income assistance dates in 2023 fall on the following days:

Income Assistance Date	Benefit Month
December 21, 2022	January 2023
January 18, 2023	February 2023
February 15, 2023	March 2023
March 22, 2023	April 2023
April 19, 2023	May 2023
May 17, 2023	June 2023
June 21, 2023	July 2023
July 19, 2023	August 2023
August 23, 2023	September 2023
September 20, 2023	October 2023
October 25, 2023	November 2023
November 22, 2023	December 2023
December 20, 2023	January 2024

As you may have noticed, BC income assistance payments are issued a week or two in advance of the benefit month.

Income assistance payments for January are made in December of the previous year. If you qualify for BC PWD benefits, they are paid out on these dates as well.

BC Income Assistance Dates and Benefit Amounts

BC Income Assistance Cheque Dates 2023

Generally, income assistance benefits are deposited directly in your bank account on the dates specified above.

If you cannot receive payments by direct deposit, you can collect cheques instead by visiting your local Service BC office.

Income assistance cheques are sent a few days earlier and dated on the same day as direct deposit payments.

The income assistance cheque dates for 2023 (i.e. when you can pick up your cheque from the office) are:

January 16, 2023
February 13, 2023
March 20, 2023
April 17, 2023
May 15, 2023
June 19, 2023
July 17, 2023
August 21, 2023
September 18, 2023
October 23, 2023
November 20, 2023
December 18, 2023

What is BC Income Assistance?

Income assistance programs exist in all provinces, including Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, etc.

These support programs are designed to provide a financial lifeline to individuals who are out of work or who require financial aid to support their basic needs.

Recipients of income assistance in British Columbia receive monthly income, access to medical and prescription coverage, and more.

They may also receive additional benefits from supplements that include coverage for expenses like clothing, bus passes, service dogs, transportation, and school supplies.

Who is Eligible for BC Income Assistance?

You could qualify for income assistance if you do not have a job or are earning income that is inadequate to meet your basic needs.

If you cannot work, general income assistance is also available, or you could qualify for disability assistance.

Lastly, income assistance is also provided to eligible individuals who need urgent access to food, shelter, or medical care.

While receiving welfare benefits, you will need to actively look for work. You can contact your local Work BC centre for help in finding a job.

A work search is not required in some situations.

For example, when you are fleeing an abusive spouse, are a single parent with a toddler, or aged 65+, have a disability, or can’t legally work in Canada.

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If you don’t meet all the requirements for income assistance, but still have an urgent financial need, you may qualify for “hardship assistance”. Call 1-866-866-0800 to ask about your options.

How Much is BC Income Assistance in 2023?

The maximum monthly income assistance benefit amounts are as follows:

If you are single: $935
If you and your spouse are both receiving assistance and have no children: $1,525
If you are a single parent with one child: $1,280
If you and your spouse are both on assistance and have one child: $1,720

Financial benefits may also be provided to cover these costs if you are eligible:

Bus pass
Camp fees
Clothing
Co-operative housing share purchase
Crisis supplement
Family maintenance
Funeral costs
Identification card fees
Moving, transportation, and living costs
School start-up
Security deposit, and more

Health coverage, supplements, and supports are available and include:

Alcohol and drug residential treatment
Dental coverage
Special diets and nutritional supplements
Extended medical therapies
Hearing instruments
Infant formula and supplements
Alternative hearing assistance
Medical supplies, and more

You can view the full list of supplements here.

How To Apply For BC Income Assistance in 2023

You can apply for BC Income Assistance online using the My Self Serve platform.

Walk-in applications at local Service BC locations are also available.

These offices are open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm PST (closed from 12 pm to 1 pm for lunch break).

You will need to provide identification for you and your family members, your social insurance number (SIN), rent and utility expenses, bank account balance, assets, and more.

While on income assistance, recipients need to look for work and complete an employment plan.

They must also complete a monthly report indicating that they are still in need of financial support.

You can continue to receive income assistance while working and earning income, subject to these thresholds:

Single person or couple without children: $500 a month
Families with children: $750 a month
Facilities with a child that has a disability: $900 a month
Single person or families where at least one adult is in the Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers (PPMB) category: $900 a month