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PWD

Introduction

People with severe disabilities in British Columbia can get a Persons with Disabilities (PWD) designation. Having this status gives you access to money and programs under B.C.’s Employment and Assistance Program for Persons with Disabilities Act. To get PWD status, you have to apply and meet the eligibility rules.

The process may take you several months from start to finish. This website helps you go through the application process step-by-step. You can take your time on each step. You can leave the site and come back later when you have more time, energy, and the documents you may need in a step.

Benefit information

This process may take you several months from start to finish

This website helps you go through the application process step-by-step. You can take your time on each step. You can leave the site and come back later when you have more time, energy, and the documents you may need in a step.

If you are approved for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) status

  • You will get up to $1,358 a month if you are a single person without dependents.
  • You will get either a monthly bus pass or a $52 ‘transportation supplement’ added to your monthly cheque.
  • You will not be expected to look for work.
  • If you work, you will be able to keep up to $15,000 a year in earned income. This is called your Annual Earnings Exemption.
  • You will be able to get extra benefits for your health. Some examples include medical equipment and devices, medical supplies, medical transportation, and nutritional supplements, just to name a few.

If you are a non-status Indigenous person and do not have health coverage, you will be eligible for a range of health supplements.

For Indigenous people, the disability assistance rates on and off reserve are the same. There are some small differences in the supplements you can get.

Back to startEligibility

Resources

Impact on daily living activities

Here are some examples of how you might describe the impact on daily living activities.

Definitions of Arthritis and Depression

Below are definitions of Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis and Depression which can help describe these medical conditions when you and/or your medical professional complete the medical forms in benefit applications.

How do I set up a My Self Serve (MySS) account

My Self Serve (MySS) provides online access to income and disability assistance for residents of British Columbia.

What province are you from?

Knowing your province helps us make this tool the best experience for you.

Important information about benefits for Indigenous Peoples

If you are Indigenous there are many things that affect the benefits you can get and the dollar amounts you can get from them. These include the agreements your band or governing body has with provincial, territorial, and federal governments. Before applying to any benefits, you should speak with your governing body, if applicable.

AFOA Canada and Prosper Canada are currently seeking funding to develop an online tool that serves the needs of Indigenous people living in Canada.