Financial Planning ->Government Benefits - British Columbia

British Columbia government benefits, programs and services

Government of British Columbia

Congratulatory Messages - request congratulatory messages from BC dignitaries for wedding anniversaries and birthdays.

For congratulatory messages from the Prime Minister, Governor General, or Her Majesty the Queen see Government Benefits - Canada.

Consumer Protection BC - Help for businesses and for consumers - 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.

BC Homeowners

Homeowner Protection Office (HPO) - Consumer Protection for Homebuyers - Find out about your rights, obligations and information that can help you make a more informed purchasing decision

First Time Home Buyers Program - exemption from property transfer tax

Rebates and Incentives for your Home on the BC Government LiveSmart BC website.

Federal EcoENERGY program incentives

Property Tax Deferment Program - for families with children, or for ages 55+, a surviving spouse, or disabled.

BC Health care

TaxTips.ca articles:

Medical services plan

PharmaCare

BC government links:

HealthLinkBC provides access to non-emergency health information and services.  Phone 811 free of charge to speak to a nurse, pharmacist or dietitian.  Phone 711 for deaf and hearing-impaired assistance (TTY).

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.

Home, and community care services

BC Children and Families

Child and family benefits provided by federal and provincial/territorial governments

BC Disabled

Personal Supports website provides information about and links to programs that provide equipment and assistive devices or other personal supports to persons with disabilities in BC.

BC provincial disability assistance rates, and how to apply for persons with disabilities assistance.

Tax credit programs for persons with a disability (pdf)

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:

PST 301 Related Services (pdf)

Exempt related service - a service provided solely for the purpose of equipping a vehicle with an auxiliary driving control to facilitate the operation of the vehicle by an individual with a disability

Notice 2013-002 PST on Vehicles (pdf) - see page 6, Motor Vehicles Modified for Persons with Disabilities

BC Seniors

Elder Abuse - learn the signs and how to get help

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.

Income security programs providing financial assistance for seniors.

SeniorsBC.ca

Seniors Guide - information on provincial and federal programs, with sections on benefits, health, lifestyle, housing, transportation, finances, safety and security, and other services.

Property Tax Deferment Program - for ages 55+, a surviving spouse, or disabled.

Additional homeowner grant for seniors.

Revised: April 29, 2013