Finding and Applying for Government Benefits: A Resource List

Your patrons may be looking for information about government benefits and how to apply for them. This post contains a list of resources your patrons can use to both find benefits they may be eligible for and get support in making their application.  

Finding government benefits: 

Benefits Wayfinder: this online tool helps people find benefits they may be eligible for based on answers they provide to a few simple questions. It includes both provincial and federal government benefits.  

Disability Benefits Compass: this resource helps people find benefits for people with mental or physical disabilities in Canada who need help with daily activities from another person, an assistive device, or a service animal. It includes both provincial and federal government disability benefits.  

When I'm 64: Benefits for Older Adults: this publication explains the government benefits available to older adults in BC. You can access it as a PDF or order copies in print for free through Crown Publications (click on the Order print copies button). This resource is available in both English and French.  

Applying for benefits:  

Applying for Welfare Benefits: this resource provides step by step guidance to apply for welfare, including information on eligibility criteria, immediate needs assessments, and tips for dealing with the ministry.  

Apply for Income Assistance: this BC government webpage explains who is eligible for income assistance and links to the online application portal.  

Welfare Law from the LSLAP Manual: this publication provides information to help people understand the law around welfare in Canada. It includes information on eligibility criteria and factors, hardship assistance, overpayment, rates and payment issues, appeals, and more. The LSLAP Manual is available online on the Clicklaw Wikibooks website as well as in print in your libraries.  

BC Disability Help Sheets: these self-help sheets provide support and guidance to people applying for various disability benefits and programs. The sheets are available in English, Arabic, Persian, Punjabi, and Spanish.  

CPP Disability Guides: these guides support people applying for the Canada Pension Plan disability benefit and include information on filling out the application form and how to make an appeal if the request is denied. The guides are available in English, Arabic, Persian, Punjabi, and Spanish.  

Applying for Disability Benefits: this resource provides step by step guidance to applying for disability benefits and includes information on eligibility criteria. 

This article is a LawMatters Blog post written for current awareness at the time of publishing. Please check the publication date as some information may have changed since then.