British Columbia

Crisis Supplement

Easy application

Tax filing not required

A crisis supplement may be available to provide income assistance/hardship assistance/disability assistance recipients who face unexpected emergency needs with a one-time payment to prevent imminent danger to their physical health or the removal of a child under the Child, Family and Community Service Act.

A crisis supplement is intended to aid the client in an emergency when all other resources have been exhausted. A crisis supplement must not be provided to support an ongoing situation.

Note: Food banks and the BC Hydro Customer Crisis Fund are not considered as resources.

A crisis supplement may be provided to or for a family unit that is eligible for income assistance, disability assistance, or hardship assistance if all of the following apply:

  • The family unit or a person in the family unit requires the supplement to meet an unexpected expense or obtain an item unexpectedly needed (An “unexpected” expense or item “unexpectedly” needed refers to an unforeseen situation that suddenly interferes with a person’s ability to pay the expense or obtain the item.).
  • The family unit or person in the family is unable to meet the expense or obtain the item because there are no resources available to the family unit.
  • Failure to meet the expense or obtain the item will result in imminent danger to the physical health of any person in the family unit or removal of a child under the Child, Family and Community Service Act.

A crisis supplement for emergency home repairs may be provided if recipients:

  • Meet the requirements for a crisis supplement, and
  • Require emergency repairs for their place of residence, and
  • Their place of residence is owned by a person in their family unit, and
  • The repairs are the least costly, appropriate option, and
  • The cost of the repairs has been pre-approved by ministry

Emergency home repairs may include essential items for the protection, replacement, and repair that are part of the physical structure of the recipient’s home and the repair or replacement of home heating and cooking appliances when no other means are available for home heating and cooking, and all other eligibility requirements are met.

A crisis supplement for essential utilities may be provided if recipients meet the requirements for a crisis supplement [see Policy – Requirements], and

  • where utility is provided by an essential utility provider (e.g., BC Hydro, FortisBC):
    • are behind in their payments (in arrears); and
    • are facing the risk of disconnection or have been disconnected; or
  • where utility is not provided by an essential utility provider:
    • are facing the risk of having no fuel for heating or for cooking meals.

Where utility is provided by an essential utility provider, the supplement can be provided prior to a disconnection notice being issued. Confirmation of arrears, in the form of documentation, is required.

If you meet the eligibility requirements for the crisis supplement, meet with your Employment and Assistance Worker (EAW) who will assess your emergency need and provide you with expedited application.

If you are deemed ineligible for the Crisis Supplement, your EAW will explain the reason(s) for this and clearly explain the options available, including information on the reconsideration process.

Last updated: January 21, 2024