BC disability and income assistance recipients now face stricter limits on housing crisis supplements and moving supplements

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

Recipients of Employment and Assistance and Disability Assistance now face a cap of one crisis supplement for shelter per family unit in any 12-month period, and no more than two moving-related supplements (covering items such as moving costs, security deposits, and storage) per family unit in any 12-month period. Exceptions to the shelter crisis supplement cap exist for specific hardship situations, including uninhabitable accommodations, a frustrated tenancy, accepting a subsidized or supportive housing unit, family reunification involving a child in care, preventing a child from entering care, fleeing an abusive spouse or relative, or experiencing or facing homelessness. The definitions of 'security deposit' and 'pet damage deposit' have been updated to also cover equivalent amounts paid to cooperative housing associations, not just standard rental arrangements. Affected individuals and families should be aware that once a shelter crisis supplement is received in a 12-month window, a second one will require demonstrating one of the listed hardship grounds. Social service workers and housing support organizations assisting these clients should review casework processes to reflect the new limits and exceptions.

Who this affects: disability assistance recipients · income assistance recipients · family units receiving housing crisis supplements · cooperative housing residents on assistance · social service workers and housing support organizations