COVID-19-related resources for people with disabilities.
Latest Update - March 16th, 2021: Starting with payments issued in April 2021, individuals on income assistance and disability assistance will automatically receive a permanent $175 per month increase. Read the press release.
WorkBC Resources for People with Disabilities
Discover job options and services designed to support people with disabilities and build your career.
- Pursue post-secondary education
- Get funding or assistive adaptations for your education
- Gain the work experience, job skills and technologies you need to do the job
- Create or expand your own business
British Columbians receiving income assistance and disability assistance will be eligible for the $150 temporary B.C. Recovery Benefit. Eligible people will automatically receive the supplement on cheques issued in in January, February, and March 2021. No action is required on your part.
This benefit is for people not receiving federal Employment Insurance (EI), the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), or any of the three new Canada recovery benefitsand who are on:
- Income assistance
- Disability assistance
- Hardship assistance
- Comforts allowance
- BC Senior's Supplement
StrongerBC Recovery plan: Hiring more people with disabilities
The B.C. government is providing new grants to support non-profits who hire British Columbians living with disabilities and people who face other barriers to employment.
One-time payment to persons with disabilities
A Government of Canada non-taxable, non-reportable, one-time payment of up to $600 in recognition of the extraordinary expenses incurred by persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
BC Government COVID-19 support for income and disability assistance
New emergency measures are in place to ensure that people on disability assistance do not encounter additional barriers, including an automatic $300 income and disability assistance supplement.
The temporary $300 crisis supplement will continue to be automatically applied to cheques distributed September 23th, October 21st, November 18th and December 16th, 2020.
This supplement will also continue to be provided to low-income seniors receiving the B.C. Senior’s Supplement and income assistance and disability recipients residing in special care facilities.
Starting with payments issued in April 2021, individuals on income assistance and disability assistance will automatically receive a permanent $175 per month increase. Read the press release.
Community Futures Entrepreneurs with Disabilities program
This program is designed to make it easier for eligible entrepreneurs with disabilities or ongoing health conditions to pursue their business goals by providing access to a network of business professionals and resources.
It offers assistance with developing a business plan, business training, business coaching and business loans. To qualify, you must:
- Self-declare a disability or ongoing health issue
- Have a viable business idea and have demonstrated commitment through research, learning and planning
- Be ready, willing and motivated to run your own business
- Need additional support to build your business future.
Government of Canada disability benefits
Other useful Federal resources for people with disabilities, including the Registered Disabilities Saving Plan, Canada Disability Savings Grants and Bonds, and education funding for people with disabilities.
More Resources:
- Covid-19 Disability Advisory Group Report
- Government of Canada News Release on Disability Inclusion - Dec 4, 2020
