Advocacy Access Help Sheet 10 BC Disability Benefits	Download in PDF format.
Education and Training Supplements for People with Disabilities
This Help Sheet funded by the Legal Services Society of BC, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada: Homelessness Partnering Strategy and the Health Sciences Association of British Columbia.
In This Sheet Earnings Exemptions Other Exemptions The Self-Employment Program Employment Program for People with Disabilities		The Help Sheet series is prepared by BCCPD's Advocacy Access program.

 
There are a number of employment, education, and training supplements available through the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities has prepared this Help Sheet about these supplements to help you understand what you may be able to apply for.

The following supplements are available to people receiving the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) benefit:

• The Training Initiative Supplement provides $50 per month to PWD recipients or their dependents that participate in a training initiative program. The Supplement is limited to 12 out of 36 months. There is a long waiting list to access this supplement.
• MSD health supplements will continue if you leave PWD because you or your spouse become self-supporting through employment.

The following supplements are available to people receiving basic income assistance, as well as people on PWD and Persons with Persistent and Multiple Barriers to Employment (PPMB):

• The Community Volunteer Supplement provides $100 per month to income assistance recipients, or their dependants over 15 years of age, to offset the costs of clothing, transportation and other expenses related to volunteering. There is a long waiting list to access this supplement
• The Monthly Incentive Supplement provides $50 per month to a single person doing a minimum of 20 hours per week in a work experience program, for 6 months in a 36-month period. Or, a person may qualify for $100 per month, if they have a dependent and do 40 hours per month in a work experience program, for 6 months in a 36-month period.

NOTE: You cannot receive more than one of the following at the same time: Community Volunteer Supplement, Training Incentive Supplement or Monthly Incentive Supplement.

• The Confirmed Job Supplement provides up to $1,000, if a person has confirmed employment and requires the money to purchase tools or clothing obtain transportation or pay for other employment-related items. This money will usually be provided only once and only if the Ministry believes it will mean the person no longer needs income assistance.
• There are also supplements related to employment plans. If you or your dependent have an employment plan and are in an employment-related program, the Ministry can pay: up to $100 per month to cover attendance and transportation costs; pay the costs of tuition, books and supplies; pay up to $200 for the cost of safety clothing; and, up to $100 for participation in a volunteer incentive program that prepares you for employment. These benefits are limited to 12 momths out of a 36-month period.
• Moving costs to anywhere in Canada may be covered, if a person has confirmed employment. Moving costs may also be covered for a move anywhere outside of BC, if it improves the person’s living circumstances.

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Earnings exemptions for people with disabilities

An earnings exemption is the amount of money that you can earn from working without your benefits being reduced. You have to be on benefits for 3 months in a row before you qualify for the earnings exemptions.

• The earnings exemption for people on PWD is $500 per month. This means you are able to earn up to $500 a month before the Ministry makes any deductions from your PWD cheque. If two people, both with PWD live together as a couple, the earnings exemption for both of them is $750 a month (not $500 per person).
• People on PPMB have an earnings exemption of $500 per month. If two people live together as a couple, and one or more of them is on PPMB, the earnings exemption for both of them is $500 a month (not $500 per person).
• If you are a single parent on income assistance with a child with a disability that requires you to stay home, you are allowed an earnings exemption of $300 per month.
• You must report all income to MSD, but if your monthly income stays the same you do not have to report it after the first month. If your income changes (up or down), you must report it to MSD on your cheque stub by the 5th day of the following month.

Other Exemptions

• Student loans, grants and training allowances may be exempt (not deducted from your benefits), if they do not include a living allowance. The loan or allowance is exempt if it is being used to pay for tuition, books, reasonable transportation and day care costs, and compulsory fees, such as student union dues.

The Self-Employment Program

The Self-Employment Program provides assessment, training, mentoring and support to people receiving PWD or PPMB who are interested in pursuing self-employment. Talk to an Employment and Assistance Worker (EAW) about applying for the program.

If you are a participant in the Self-Employment Program, certain business income and assets will be exempt as long as they are part of your business plan. For example, business equipment and permitted operating expenses can be exempted as assets and income and will not affect your eligibility for benefits.

Also, you will be allowed an Asset Development Account. This means you can have up to $5,000 in a special account to meet your future business expenses. This must also be part of your approved business plan.

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Employment Program for People with Disabilities (EPPD)

If you are interested in accessing employment services, such as pre-employment programs, job training and placement, and employment supports, you should get in touch with the EPPD. Information about the EPPD can be obtained from your Ministry office or one of the service providers in the table below. You may be eligible for work-related supplements through EPPD. 

Please note that MSD is in the process of restructuring all its employment programs and a totally new program will be introduced in April 2012.

Ministry of Housing and Social Development - Region 1 (Vancouver Island)
Community	Service Provider
North Vancouver Island	WCG International HR Solutions 1-888-562-9283
South Vancouver Island	WCG International HR Solutions 1-888-562-9283
Ministry of Housing and Social Development - Region 2 (Vancouver Coastal)
Community	Service Provider
Vancouver Coastal	Open Door Group 1-866-377-3670
Ministry of Housing and Social Development - Region 3 (Fraser)
Community	Service Provider
Fraser	WCG International HR Solutions 1-888-562-9283
Ministry of Housing and Social Development - Region 4 (Interior)
Community	Service Provider
Cariboo	Open Door Group 1-866-377-3670
Okanagan	Open Door Group 1-866-377-3670
Kootenays	Open Door Group 1-866-377-3670
Ministry of Housing and Social Development - Region 5 (North)
Community	Service Provider
North	WCG International HR Solutions 1-888-562-9283
Other (To serve predominantly Regions 2 and 3)
Mental Health Impairment	THEO BC 1-866-377-3670
Physical or Mobility Impairment	Neil Squire Society 604-473-9363

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