Last reviewed November 2020 by the Clicklaw Editors

Welfare, also known as income assistance or social assistance, is money and other benefits for people who need financial help. There are different requirements for determining whether you qualify for a certain kind of benefit. Social assistance for people living on reserve comes from the government of Canada through Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC). Income assistance for people living off reserve in BC comes from the BC provincial government through the BC Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction. Some social assistance services and benefits are different on and off reserve.

Good starting points include:

• On Reserve: Benefits and Services: Social Assistance on Reserve, from the Legal Services Society, is a website that outlines what social assistance benefits are, the amounts involved, how to qualify and how to apply. The website links to the resource Income Assistance on Reserve in BC which explains how social assistance on reserve is different from assistance off reserve and how to get more information or help.
• Off Reserve: Your Welfare Rights: How to Apply for Welfare, from the Legal Services Society, has information about welfare for people off reserve.

Need more help?

• Find an Advocate, from PovNet, provides a list of community advocates who may be able to provide information or assistance regarding welfare.
• PWD and MNS Program, from BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS), provides support for Aboriginal people with disabilities, such as help with completing PWD applications.
• Find more help near you on Clicklaw HelpMap.

See our related common questions:

• See all common questions about Aboriginal
• See all common questions about pensions, benefits & welfare

tags

welfare, income assistance, social assistance, living on reserve, off reserve