British Columbia government benefits, programs and services
Government
of British Columbia
Congratulatory
Messages - request congratulatory messages from the Queen, Federal and
B.C. dignitaries for wedding anniversaries and birthdays.
Business
Practices & Consumer Protection Authority of BC (BPCPA) - learn
your rights as a consumer, and how to protect yourself.
BC
Unclaimed Property Society (BCUPS) provides a searchable database of
unclaimed funds on deposit in banks, trust companies and loan companies.
Homeowners
First
Time Home Buyers Program - exemption from property transfer tax
Rebates
and Incentives for your Home on the BC Government LiveSmart BC website.
New: This
program has reached its target, and is no longer available, except for
homeowners who had their pre-retrofit home energy assessment performed
prior to the end of business on August 15, 2009. These homeowners
must complete their post-retrofit assessment before March 2011, or 18
months after they had their first assessment, to be eligible for rebates
and incentives.
The Federal EcoENERGY
program incentives are still available.
New entrants are eligible for a subsidy for their
pre-retrofit home energy assessment, subject to the continuing
availability of funds. See the LiveSmart
BC website for more information.
Property
Tax Deferment Program - for ages 55+, a surviving spouse, or disabled.
New Temporary
Financial
Hardship Property Tax Deferment Program - The program will be available to
homeowners of any age who have at least 15% equity in their home, and are
in serious financial difficulties. Property tax payments can be
deferred for the next 2 years, with interest payable at prime rate.
Property assessments locked in
at 2007 levels for one year - this was also announced on November 1,
2008. This does not freeze property taxes, because the mill rate can
still be increased to increase property taxes.
Health care
TaxTips.ca articles:
Medical services plan
PharmaCare
BC government links:
Medical Services Plan Application
for Premium Assistance
PharmaCare
program - coverage for prescription drugs - you must be registered to
receive Pharmacare benefits.
Your
Fair PharmaCare coverage - table showing income levels and
coverage.
Fair
PharmaCare calculator - estimate the financial assistance you
will receive from Pharmacare.
Acute,
home, and community care services
Ministry of Health - Home
and community care
Children and families
Child
and family benefits provided by federal and provincial/territorial
governments
Disabled
BC provincial disability
assistance rates, and how
to apply for persons with disabilities assistance.
Fuel
tax refund program for persons with disabilities
Property
Tax Deferment Program - for ages 55+, a surviving spouse, or disabled.
Additional
homeowner grant for disabled persons.
Additional homeowner grant for new construction to
accommodate disabled - see the Small Business and Revenue Ministry web
page on Budget
2008 Property Taxes.
PST exemption for many medications, health-related
equipment and supplies, and personal items purchased by persons with
disabilities and handicaps. For more information
from the BC government
website, see the following bulletins from the Provincial
Sales Tax Bulletins page:
SST
003 Equipment and devices used by
persons with a permanent disability, and
SST
070 Motor vehicles modified to accommodate
persons with a disability
Seniors
BC
Seniors Online - new source of information for BC seniors.
Shelter
Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) - rent subsidy program for seniors aged
60 and over.
Seniors
supplement based on federal OAS/GIS/Allowance payment levels.
Assistance
for Seniors 65 and older who are not eligible for Old Age Security.
Information for Seniors - Your Guide
to Programs & Benefits in British Columbia
Property
Tax Deferment Program - for ages 55+, a surviving spouse, or disabled.
Additional
homeowner grant for seniors.
Revised: April 23, 2010
