Financial Supports for Vancouver Island

Financial Supports available for Vancouver Island residents

Benefits, Subsidies, Tax Credits and Loan programs. Click the program name to go to that website with full qualification details.
NameTypeMin. AgeBenefit Up ToMax Annual IncomeOther QualificationURL
BC Hydro Crisis AssistanceBenefitAll ages$800 per yearNo MaxReceive disconnection notice and a qualifying life eventCustomer Crisis Fund
BC Housing Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC RAHA)BenefitAll ages$20000 lifetime max$134,140Permanent disability or loss of ability in the homeBc Raha
Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER)Benefit60$652 per month$40,000Lived in BC for 12 months+ and pay more than 30% gross income to rentSafer
Old Age Security (OAS) 65-74Benefit65$740.09 per month$91,000 before reductions beginLived in Canada for 10+ yearsOld Age Security
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)Benefit65$1105.43 per month$22,440Receiving OASGuaranteed Income Supplement
BC Seniors SupplementBenefit65$99.30 per monthLow incomeSeniors Supplement
Old Age Security (OAS) 75+Benefit75$814.10 per month$91,000 before reductions beginLived in Canada for 10+ yearsOld Age Security
Canada Disability BenefitBenefit18-65$2400 per yearNo MaxMust qualify for the DTCCanada Disability Benefit
BC Rent BankLoan19Rent-based loanLow-Modest Income - Varies by rental needsSeveral qualifications
Property Tax DefermentLoan55Deferral of annual property tax at low interest rateNo MaxOr surviving spouse or person with disabilities. Min 25% equity in homeProperty Tax Deferment Program
Fair PharmacareSubsidyAll agesUp to 100% coverage for lower income householdsNo MaxNAFair Pharmacare Plan
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)SubsidyAll agesUp to 100% coverage for lower income households$69,999 per household before reductions beginMax annual household income $89999Dental Care Plan
Home Owner Grant (HOG)SubsidyAll ages$770 per yearNo MaxHome value less than $2,175,000Home Owner Grant
Home Owner Grant (HOG) AdditionSubsidyAll ages$275 per yearNo MaxSenior, Disabled or Veteran and Home value less than $2,175,000Low Income
BC Bus PassSubsidy60$495 per yearOn income assistanceAnd one of: Spouse of PWD, Income Assistance, GIS for 65+Buspassprogram
Home Renovation Tax CreditTax CreditAll ages$10000 per year tax creditNo MaxSenior or DisabledSeniors Renovation
Disability Tax Credit (DTC)Tax CreditAll ages$9435 per year tax creditNo MaxPWD designationDo I Qualify For The Dtc
Canada Caregiver Tax CreditTax CreditAll ages$8,375 per year tax creditNo MaxCare for physical or mentally impaired dependentCanada Caregiver Amount
Attendant Care Tax CreditTax CreditAll ages$10000 per year tax creditNo MaxEligible medical expensesAttendant Care Care A Facility

Pro-tip:

Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS) is a great local organization that provides a variety of assistance for people navigating BC social systems.

Protecting Your Choices: Cost Estimator: Government Care

Have questions about your care options? Our Coordination Team is ready to help.

Contact Us Call 250-658-6508