Introduction to Financial Support
Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Designation
PWD is a category of income assistance provided by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction for people who need completing daily living activities. Learn the basics of PWD with this toolkit.
What is PWD?
Persons with Disabilities (PWD) status provides financial assistance provided by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, aiming to support low income individuals who have sever physical and/or mental impairments.
Qualifications
- Show that you meet financial eligibility to receive assistance.
- Be 18 years old (you can start the application process when you are 17 1/2).
- Have a severe physical or mental impairment that is expected to continue for more than two years.
- Be significantly restricted in your ability to perform daily-living activities.
- Require assistance with daily living activities from another person, an assistive device, or an assistance animal.
How to Apply for PWD
Follow this BC government webpage on disability assistance to apply for PWD.
Funding
- When you’re on disability assistance the amount of financial support you receive depends on the size of your family. It also depends on whether another person in your family has the Persons with Disabilities designation.
- Refers to the Disability Assistance Rate Table to find out how much money you could receive.
- You will not be expected to look for work.
- You will be able to keep up to $16,200 a year in earned income (Annual Earnings Exemption) as of Jan 1, 2024.
- You will be eligible for a range of health supplements.
PWD Health Supplements
- Medical Services Plan (MSP) Coverage
- Extended Medical Therapy
- Fair Pharmacare
- Diet Supplements
- Nutritional Supplements
- Dental Coverage
- Glasses (Lenses and frames every three years)
- Eye exams (every two years)
- Certain medical supplies
- Certain medical equipment and devices
- Medical Transportation
- Alcohol and Drug Treatment Counselling
Camping Benefit
- Obtain a release of information from an MSDPR office
- At the campground, show the park operator the original approved form and a 2nd piece of identification (e.g., a BC Driver’s License, BC Services Card, BCID).
- Qualified recipients are entitled to one single campsite, or one half of a double site, per night for their (one) camping party are exempt from paying front country camping fees and second vehicle fees.
- The fee exemption only applied to camping fees. The exemption does not apply to reservation charges or additional services offered by park operators, such as firewood and electrical hook-ups.
- You must choose the SSCFE rate at the time of booking.
BC Fuel Tax Refund Program
In BC, you must pay taxes when pumping fuel. People with disabilities can claim a refund (up to $500) on the fuel tax they pay in the province.
Resources
Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR)
General Inquiries
Telephone: 1-866-866-0800
Telephone device for the deaf (TDD):
Vancouver: 604-775-0303
Elsewhere in BC: 1-800-661-8773
Disability Alliance BC (DABC)
DABC can assist families with the application process. Visit their website, read the DABC’s Response to the 2023 BC Budget, or read their Help Sheet on the PWD.
Ask An Advocate
Ask An Advocate provides basic and clear information about income assistance and other income support programs. Visit their website to learn more about PWD.
British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS)
Learn more about the support for Indigenous persons through this BCANDS webpage on “BCANDS Person with Disabilities (PWD) Program Overview.”
Family Support Institute of BC (FSI)
Telephone: 1-800-441-5403
Call our family support team to get help from trained volunteers referred to as “Resource Parents/Peers” (RPs).
My Self Serve
Here is a guide for My Self Serve, which is an online service you use to apply for PWD.
Disability Assistance Rate Table – PWD
Use this table to find out the amount of support allowance you could receive.
By Family Support Institute of BC
