Browse Categories: Income & Benefits

Provincial drug plan that helps BC residents pay for eligible prescription medications, dispensing fees, and some medical supplies, based on net family income. People born before 1940 pay a lower share of costs, 25 percent instead of 30 percent, once the family deductible is reached. Free to register. Enroll in MSP, then register for Fair PharmaCare online, by phone, or by mail, and consent to share income information with the CRA. Call the Health Insurance BC line for help registering or with coverage questions.

Community intake office that helps individuals apply for or manage Income Assistance and Disability Assistance in British Columbia. Staff can assist with applications, documentation, and connecting clients to the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.

Community intake office assisting residents with applications for Income Assistance and Disability Assistance. Staff help individuals navigate benefit applications, submit required documents, and connect with Ministry case workers.

The Service Canada Centre on Kingsway provides in-person support for federal programs and benefits, including Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). Staff can help with applications, updates, and resolving issues related to income, as well as services like Social Insurance Numbers (SIN) and government identification. For seniors, this location is especially valuable for addressing problems with pension payments, applying for benefits, or getting direct help when online systems are confusing or inaccessible. It offers a straightforward way to speak with someone face-to-face and get clarity on important financial and administrative matters.

Provides in-person access to a wide range of federal government programs and benefits, including pensions, income supports, and identification services. Staff can assist with applications, questions, and document processing for programs like Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and Social Insurance Numbers (SIN). For seniors, this is one of the most important places to go for help with retirement income, benefits eligibility, and updating personal information. The office is fully accessible and offers support in multiple languages, along with assistive services for hearing and accessibility needs.

Provides low-cost annual transit passes for eligible older adults, making it easier to get around Metro Vancouver using buses, SkyTrain, and SeaBus. Applications can be completed online, by phone, or by mail. You’ll need basic information such as your SIN, date of birth, and contact details. The pass costs $45 per year and is valid for the full calendar year. If your pass is lost or stolen, it can be replaced for a fee. Additional documents may be required for those who have lived in Canada for less than 10 years or who are applying through a First Nations band office.

Nonprofit helping people with disabilities and their families plan for the future, including the Registered Disability Savings Plan, the Disability Tax Credit, the Canada Disability Benefit, and estate and future care planning. The free Disability Planning Helpline takes questions by phone or online form from anywhere in Canada. Leave a message and an advisor calls back, though response can take up to ten business days during busy periods. Also runs webinars and workshops on these topics.

A one-time grant that helps BC Hydro customers pay overdue electricity bills during a temporary financial crisis. You may qualify if your bill is at least 21 days overdue or facing disconnection, you owe $1,000 or less, and a recent life event (such as illness, job loss, or unexpected expenses) affected your ability to pay. To apply, fill out an application online, or call 2-1-1 for assistance in filling out the application. Applications are fastest online, but paper forms can also be submitted by mail or fax. If you need help with the application or your account, contact BC Hydro Customer Service: 604-224-9376 or 1-800-224-9376. Only one grant per account holder per year is available.

Retirement pension for Canadians who have contributed to CPP. Also includes disability and survivor benefits.

Monthly pension for Canadians 65+. Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) available for low-income seniors. Apply through Service Canada.

Provincial Crown corporation that funds and coordinates supports for adults 19 and older with a developmental disability, autism spectrum disorder, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder who need significant daily help. Supports can include residential options, employment help, family support, and community participation programs, delivered through local offices and funded community agencies. There is no cost to apply. Contact the local office or call the main line to start the Welcome and Planning process and check eligibility.

Property tax grant for homeowners aged 65 and older who occupy their home as a principal residence. Cuts the annual property tax bill by $845 in Metro Vancouver, the Capital Regional District and the Fraser Valley (more elsewhere in BC), on properties assessed at $2,075,000 or less. A low-income supplement is available for homes over that threshold. Apply online or by phone before the property tax due date, or call during business hours to reach an agent.

Lets homeowners aged 55 or older, or a surviving spouse of any age, or a person with a disability, defer (postpone) paying annual property taxes on their home at a low interest rate. Taxes are repaid, with interest, when the property is sold or transferred. Applicants must keep at least 25% equity in the home. Apply online between May 1 and December 31 through the provincial government website, or call for help with an application.

Discounted home internet program for Canadians receiving certain government income supports, including many seniors who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). Standalone internet plans cost about $10 to $35 a month depending on speed, plus tax (bundles with TV or mobile cost more). How to Apply: Check if your address is in a Rogers (or former Shaw) service area at rogers.com, then apply through the Connected for Success website. Seniors will need their most recent Old Age Security T4A (OAS) statement as proof of eligibility (be sure to black out your SIN before submitting).

Discounted home internet service for low-income Canadians, including seniors who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) of at least $6,500 a year. Plans cost $10 to $35 a month (before tax) depending on speed, and are available in BC, Alberta, and parts of Quebec. How to Apply: Visit the TELUS Internet for Good website and submit an application with your most recent Old Age Security T4A (OAS) statement showing at least $6,500 in Box 21 as proof of GIS eligibility, with the first 5 digits of your SIN blacked out. After verification (usually about 1 week), TELUS sends a code to redeem the discounted plan.

Federal agency responsible for tax administration and benefit programs. Many income supports are delivered through the tax system, including the GST/HST credit, Canada Carbon Rebate, and other federal benefit payments.

Federal office supporting veterans, Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP members, and their families with benefits and services. Helps with disability compensation, health and mental health benefits, home care, long-term care, funeral costs, the War Veterans Allowance, and planning the move to civilian life. Staff help fill out forms, assess needs, and plan care. Call or visit to start. Open Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm, and services can also be reached at any Service Canada location.

City of Vancouver program that gives low-income residents free and reduced-cost access to recreation. Approved applicants get free admission to all public swimming pools and skating rinks, with skate rental included, plus reduced rates for fitness centres, lessons, racquet courts, and pitch-and-putt golf. Apply by phone (3-1-1), email (lap@vancouver.ca), or in person at any community centre or pool. Proof of income is required, and the discount is added to a OneCard valid for three years.

Helps low-income seniors and adults who can no longer manage their own finances avoid falling behind on bills or losing their housing. The Bloom Group acts as a trustee, creating a budget, paying rent and other bills, filing taxes, and administering pension income, including applying for the Guaranteed Income Supplement. A Pension Management Contract has a $25 opening fee, a $60 monthly fee, and a closing fee. A Discretionary Trust option exists for people with a Person with Disabilities designation who receive a lump sum. Referral and a signed application package of originals only are required to start, and approval can take 6 to 8 months because of federal review.

Free online information to help people understand and apply for disability benefits, income assistance and other income-support programs, and understand tenancy rights, in British Columbia. The website has FAQs, quick-reference guides, fact sheets, forms, and links to other resources, so people can advocate for themselves. Because of reduced funding, the phone line and live chat have been discontinued. Questions go through an online contact form, and replies may take time due to limited staff. Also trains community service providers on benefits and tenancy issues.

Government of BC web page that gathers links to financial help for seniors, renters, homeowners, families and people in need, including home energy, transportation, health care, child care and education supports. Browse by topic to see eligibility rules and how to apply for each program. For help over the phone, including in other languages, call Service BC. Free to use. Phone support runs Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm.

Administers British Columbia's public sector pension plans (Public Service, Teachers', Municipal, College and WorkSafeBC) and helps members with pension questions, retirement planning and benefit applications. Which number to call depends on the specific plan. The general line connects callers to the right one. Based in Victoria with no public office to visit - service is by phone, mail or online account. Free. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm.

Monthly top-up to federal Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payments for low-income seniors living in BC. There is no separate application: once Service Canada approves your GIS (or Allowance), the supplement is added to your payment automatically. File income taxes every year so Service Canada can keep confirming eligibility. To apply for GIS itself, call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Provincial program that gives financial help to people in BC who are physically or emotionally hurt by a violent crime, as well as immediate family members of a victim and some witnesses. Benefits can include counselling, income support, and help with medical costs, with counselling available right away while the full claim is still being decided. Applications must be made within one year of the crime, or two years for crimes on or after January 1, 2024, with longer extensions possible for sexual assault, minors, and other exceptional cases. Apply by phone, mail, or using the form on the website. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Canada Revenue Agency program connecting people with free tax preparation clinics, in person or virtual, run by community volunteers. Generally for people with modest income, about $40,000 or less a year for one person and higher for families, and a simple tax situation. Search the online clinic directory or call 1-800-959-8281, Monday to Friday 5am to 5pm Pacific time, for help finding a clinic.

Free phone line for grandparents and other relatives raising a related child, such as a grandchild, niece, nephew, or other family member. Advocates help callers understand legal rights and options, and connect them to benefits, resources, and legal information. Call 604-558-4740 in the Lower Mainland, or 1-855-474-9777 toll-free from anywhere in BC.

Free job search help for people in BC looking for work, including older workers re-entering the job market. Get resume and interview coaching, skills training, and job matching through one of more than 100 WorkBC Centres across the province, in person, by phone, or online. Apply online at apply.workbc.ca, find your nearest centre at workbc.ca, or call 250-952-6914 / 1-877-952-6914, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Free community events where volunteer fixers help repair small appliances, electronics, bikes, clothing, and other household items instead of throwing them away. Run by SPEC (Society Promoting Environmental Conservation) at libraries and community venues around Metro Vancouver. The City of Vancouver paused funding for the program in 2026, so most current events are on the North Shore. Check the website for the latest schedule and to register. Free to attend, and repairs are not guaranteed.

Thrift shop run by West End Seniors’ Network (WESN), selling donated clothing, accessories, books and small household items at low prices from the Denman Place Mall location. Open Wednesday to Friday, 11am-5pm, and Saturday, 11am-4pm. Proceeds support WESN programs and services for older adults in the West End.

Financial and wellness support for Métis Elders and seniors across BC, run by Métis Nation BC. The Métis Elders and Seniors Assistance Program (MESAP) helps lower-income Métis citizens 65+ pay for health costs not covered by MSP, such as hearing aids, dentures, glasses, and mobility aids. It pays up to $3,000 (single) or $4,500 (with a spouse), one time only, and applicants must be registered MNBC citizens. MESAP currently has a waitlist. Call 1-800-940-1150 or 604-557-5851 ext. 2082, or email elders@mnbc.ca.

Nonprofit society that helps reunite people with money left unclaimed in BC, such as forgotten bank and credit union accounts, estates, and court-held funds. Search the free online database by name to check for a match, then file a claim online with supporting documents. Phone support, including real-time translation, is available Monday to Friday. There is no cost to search or make a claim.

Emergency line for a gas leak, a strong gas smell, or another natural gas emergency anywhere FortisBC serves in BC. Call 1-800-663-9911 right away; the line runs 24 hours a day, every day. Leave the area before calling if possible, and do not use light switches, phones, or anything that could cause a spark near a suspected leak.

Professional theatre in the Downtown Eastside presenting socially engaged plays and dance with diverse, community-centred voices. Seniors 65+ get discounted tickets, $30 for plays and $40 for musicals, any seat. Most productions have a pay-what-you-can matinee the Wednesday after opening. Wheelchair accessible. Book by phone or through the website.

Historic 70-acre botanical garden on the UBC campus featuring alpine, Asian, food, and native plant gardens plus the Greenheart TreeWalk canopy walk (open April to October). Offers public tours, seasonal events, workshops, and volunteer programs. Senior admission pricing is available. Buy tickets online or at the gate, and check the website for current seasonal hours since the garden is closed Mondays.

Botanical garden covering 55 acres (22 hectares), with themed gardens and more than 7,500 plant species. Hosts seasonal events such as the Festival of Lights. Senior admission (65+) costs less than regular adult admission, and an annual membership gives unlimited entry year-round. Educational programs and volunteer opportunities are also available through an application process. Hours change by season - call 604-257-8463 or see vandusengarden.org before visiting.

Classical Ming Dynasty-style garden in Chinatown, built in 1986 as the first of its kind outside China. Offers guided garden tours and seasonal cultural programming in a quiet outdoor setting. Admission is 16 dollars for adults and 13 dollars for seniors, members visit free year-round. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 9:30am to 4pm, last entry 3:30pm, closed Monday and Tuesday.