You can apply to the BC Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction to get welfare. Depending on your situation, you might qualify for disability assistance with the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) designation or the Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers (PPMB) designation.
You have to meet certain criteria to qualify and you have to fill out an application form that applies to your situation. A health professional also has to fill out part of your application form.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry has made these application forms available online. You don't have to go to a ministry office to get the form. See the ministry website for the online PWD Application Form (24 pages) and PPMB Application Form (6 pages).
The application forms include:
- what you have to do to qualify for the designation
- instructions to fill out the form
- ministry address and fax number to submit the completed form
Disability Alliance BC has online help sheets that explain various benefits and programs for people with disabilities. See the PWD Application help sheet and the PPMB Benefit help sheet for help to fill out the application forms. Monthly disability assistance rates went up by $175 in April 2021.
For more information about the PWD or PPMB designation, phone the ministry at 1-866-866-0800.
If you get any of the following benefits, phone the ministry at
1-866-866-0800 to ask for the shorter PWD application form:
- Community Living BC (CLBC)
- Ministry of Children and Family Development At Home Program
- BC PharmaCare Plan P — Palliative Care Benefits
- Canada Pension Plan — Disability Benefits
You don’t have to fill out the 24-page PWD designation application and get a new diagnosis.