Purpose of the Ministry
The Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance administers the BC Employment and Assistance program, which provides temporary assistance, disability assistance, supplementary assistance and employment programs for British Columbians in need. This program is guided by the Employment and Assistance Act and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act.
The Ministry continues its leadership role developing the cross ministry Disability Strategy to support the Government’s Great Goal to “build the best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities”. It provides for a citizen-centred system of support and services for persons with disabilities to enable them to participate fully in their communities.
In delivering services to those in need, the Ministry is focusing on the customer by transforming the way we deliver services in employment and assistance, using effective and outcome based practices, and working in collaboration with ministries, other levels of government and service agencies.
Clients We Serve
The Ministry delivers a variety of assistance programs and services to approximately 140,000 individuals who have diverse needs as reflected by the Ministry’s various client groups:
- Expected to Work: Employable clients in need of short-term income assistance and supports, as well as those who are temporarily excused from employment obligations or have limited employment obligations, due to a medical condition or family situation.
- Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers: Clients with a medical condition and significant barriers to employment who are not expected to gain complete independence through employment.
- Persons with Disabilities: Clients with a severe physical or mental impairment who require assistance as a result of significant restrictions in their ability to perform daily living activities.
- Child in the Home of a Relative: Minor children whose parents have placed them in the care of a relative to whom the Ministry provides financial assistance for the child.
In addition to these client designations, the Ministry supports other targeted programs for:
- Seniors: Persons aged 65 years or older with low income who are eligible for the Senior’s Supplement and subsidized bus passes.
- Low and moderate-income families: Families who are not direct clients of the Ministry but are eligible for the Healthy Kids Program, which provides dental and optical assistance for children based on the family’s income.
- Other persons with disabilities: Persons with disabilities who do not receive disability assistance from the Ministry but receive some disability services, including specialized employment programming and information, access and referrals for personal supports.
Where We Deliver Our Services
Approximately 2,000 ministry staff deliver services across the province through 89 ministry offices, 19 Service BC branches and three Service Centres. In addition to these community-based offices, individuals also have the option of accessing some services online or contacting the Ministry’s toll-free call centre to ask questions or apply for assistance. The Ministry also delivers employment and life-skills programs through contracts with external service providers in all regions of the province.
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