PWD (Persons with Disabilities) is a program in Canada that provides financial assistance and support to individuals with disabilities to help cover living expenses and improve their quality of life.
Individuals with no dependents can receive up to $1,483.50 in B.C. disability payments. To find out how much support allowance you’re eligible for, check the official rate table.
Here’s your guide to PWD benefits in B.C., including payment dates for 2025, eligibility for disability, and a guide to the PWD application process.
Key Takeaways
- There are 12 PWD payments issued per year.
- PWD payment eligibility includes details regarding age, residency, health factors, and household income.
- Payment amounts can vary significantly based on family size and various other factors.
What is the B.C. Disability Benefit PWD?
The B.C. Disability Benefit PWD is a provincial benefit that includes monthly payments and other benefits for Persons With Disabilities (PWD) in British Columbia.
Benefits can include:
- Payments: Monthly direct deposit payments starting at $983.50
- Health benefits: Coverage for specialty healthcare and supplies
- Other supports: No-fee bus passes, clothing funds, shelter allowance, etc.
Other provinces have similar programs, like Alberta's AISH or Ontario's ODSP.
PWD payment dates 2025
PWD payments are sent monthly via direct deposit or cheque, typically around the 2nd or 3rd week of each month.
Timing: You receive the following month’s payment ahead of time. For example, in August you’d receive your September payment intended for September living expenses.
Here are the payment dates for 2025:
January 15, 2025(for February 2025)February 19, 2025(for March 2025)March 19, 2025(for April 2025)April 16, 2025(for May 2025)May 21, 2025(for June 2025)June 25, 2025(for July 2025)July 23, 2025(for August 2025)August 27, 2025(for September 2025)September 24, 2025(for October 2025)October 22, 2025(for November 2025)- November 19, 2025 (for December 2025)
- December 17, 2025 (for January 2026)
Who is eligible for PWD?
You're eligible for PWD B.C. disability payments if you are considered a PWD and you meet certain age, health, and financial eligibility requirements, as outlined on the BC government website.
Definition of a Person With a Disability (PWD)
Here’s how the B.C. program defines a Person With a Disability:
- Age: Be at least 18 years old (though you can begin your application at 17 ½)
- Activity restriction: Be greatly restricted in your ability to perform daily living activities
- Long-term: Live with a severe mental or physical impairment that’s likely to last for more than 2 years
- Support: Require support with daily living activities from either an assistance animal, device, or another individual
PWD is an official designation. You may already have PWD status if you’re receiving other benefits, or you may need to apply.
Additional criteria for PWD eligibility
Applicants must also meet certain financial and lifestyle eligibility criteria:
- Employment: If you’re considered employable, you must be working or pursuing work
- Family arrangement: Living with parents or a spouse may disqualify you
- Income: You must earn less than $16,200 per year
- Assets: Your assets must total less than $100,000 or $200,000 for a 2-adult household where both adults have PWD designation
There are some asset exclusions:
- Your residence
- 1 vehicle
- Clothing
- Required household equipment
- Registered Disability Savings Plan
- Assets held in an eligible exempt trust
How much does PWD pay?
As of 2025, the PWD payment starts at $983.50 for a single person with no children.
The total amount of your B.C. disability assistance depends on 2 things:
- The size of your family
- Whether another family member is designated as a Persons with Disability (PWD)
The table below shows how PWD payments increase when you support dependents and when both adults have PWD designations:
| Description | Maximum payment |
|---|---|
| Single with no children | $1,483.50 |
| Single with 1 child | $1,828.50 |
| Couples with 1 child, and 1 adult has a PWD designation | $2,268.50 |
| Couples with no children, and both adults have PWD designations | $2,548.50 |
Some PWDs are eligible for additional benefits on top of the monthly amount listed above.
Extra benefits may include financial or non-financial benefits for health and general living expenses. You may be eligible for partial or full coverage for the following:
- Alcohol and drug residential treatment programs
- Hearing loss
- Basic dental services
- Medical devices and equipment
- Therapeutic diet costs associated with special dietary needs
- Transit passes
- Children’s camp fees
- Funds for buying clothes
- Co-op housing fees
- Guide/service animal costs
Find the full list of benefits and learn more at B.C.’s official page: General and health supplements.
If you're in B.C., you can call 1-866-866-0800 for free and speak with an MSDPR (Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction) worker about these benefits.
Note: While accepting B.C. disability assistance, you must also search for and accept all other potential sources of available financial support, like WorkSafe B.C., Student Financial Assistance, and Old Age Security.
How to apply for PWD
To apply, you must provide substantial health, personal, and financial information.
All applicants must register for a BCeID. The basic BCeID account is a B.C. Electronic ID, which will allow you to use My Self Serve to complete an eligibility questionnaire.
If you do not have a PWD designation, you'll fill out the B.C. PWD designation application form.
If you already have a PWD designation, you’ll start with a simplified form (Persons with Disabilities Designation—Prescribed Class Application) because you’re already receiving some kind of social benefit.
Submit the My Self Serve questionnaire with your BCeID
After you’ve created your BCeID account, log in and start the My Self Serve questionnaire.
Fill out the form: The eligibility questionnaire may require these items from the Document Checklist:
- Physical SIN card or proof of SIN number from Service Canada
- 2 pieces of ID (1 must be photographic)
- 1 recent photo of yourself
- Stamped bank statements from the last 60 days, printed at the bank
- Bank profile forms for all your banks
- Signed lease or rental receipt
Make sure you answer "Yes" to the section asking, “Do you intend to apply for Persons with Disabilities Designation?”
Submit the form: You'll be contacted within 5 to 10 business days after submission by an intake worker to schedule a phone interview. You may be asked to submit additional documents to the Ministry.
Complete a phone interview: After the worker verifies that you qualify to apply, request a PWD designation application. You can either pick this up in person at a Service B.C. location or wait to receive it by mail.
Get a PWD designation in British Columbia
If you did not receive a form in the mail, you can visit a Service B.C. office to pick up a form.
There are 3 sections to fill out in the B.C. PWD application form to get your PWD designation:
- Section 1 is for you to fill out. Provide your age, address, SIN, and write a description of your disabling condition and how it affects your life.
- Section 2 is for your doctor or nurse. They fill in the medical report section, including your health history, treatment, verification that your disability will affect you for at least the next 2 years, and other condition assessments for how your disability impacts your daily life.
- Section 3 is for an assessor like your doctor or a social worker. They answer questions related to your disability’s impact on daily functioning, your level of impairment, and the type of assistance you require.
Simplified application for people who already have PWD designation
People who already take part in certain programs and have a PWD designation are eligible for the simplified application.
Eligible programs for the PWD Designation Prescribed Class Application include the following:
- Community Living B.C. (CLBC)
- The Ministry of Children and Family Development At Home Program
- B.C. PharmaCare Plan P – Palliative Care Benefits,
- Canada Pension Plan – Disability Benefits.
Teens with intellectual disabilities are also eligible for the simplified version. To submit a simplified application as a teen, the teen must:
- Be 17 ½ to 19 years old
- Have a confirmed intellectual disability
- Submit an existing psychological assessment and diagnosis
You can request the simplified version of the application form here: Access income and disability assistance services.
Submit the PWD assistance application and wait to hear back
After submitting your application, Service B.C. will review your application and contact you to tell you if you are eligible for any B.C. disability assistance funding.
- Wait time for PWD designation determination: 45 days
- Wait time for PWD income assistance approval: 1-5 weeks
How to set up PWD direct deposit
Direct deposit is the fastest and easiest way to receive PWD income assistance.
- Write/acquire a void cheque
- Fill out the online form
- Submit it to the Ministry
Be aware that some banks charge fees for these types of deposits. Check with a teller before you fill out the request form to avoid surprise withdrawals.
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$25 GeniusCash + Delicious meal choices with fresh ingredients + Front-door delivery.How long can you stay on social assistance?
There is no time limit for how long you can receive PWD income assistance benefits.
Your payments can continue for as long as you maintain eligibility.
These are the only circumstances that may eventually affect your eligibility for PWD income assistance:
- Your income exceeds the allowable limits
- Your income assistance converts to MSO (Medical Services Only) when you reach age 65
You retain PWD designation, even if you become ineligible for PWD income assistance.
Otherwise, it depends on your province, the specific program, and whether you’re employable. Some social assistance programs only permit you to receive 2 years of support if you’re able to work.
Is there going to be a 2025 PWD payment increase?
Payment amounts increased from 2023 to 2024 for monthly PWD payments in B.C, so it’s possible that they will increase again in 2025.
Additionally, PWD funding increased for mental health and addiction recovery treatments in B.C. as of June 1, 2024.
Note that CPP disability payments increase every year to keep pace with the cost of living.
FAQ
What is PWD?
PWD stands for Persons With Disabilities and is a term used frequently in the B.C. disability assistance program. This program provides financial and health support for those in the province who qualify and apply for the benefits.
How much are PWD payments in B.C.?
If you are single with no children, your PWD payment amount may be as much as $1,483.50. The max payment amount is $2,548.50, provided to families where both adults have PWD designations.
What is the $300 federal payment in Canada?
There was a one-time $300 affordability payment in New Brunswick to help families with the growing cost of living. This was paid out in the spring of 2024 and isn't expected to be a recurring payment.
What are the benefits for PWDs?
The benefit payments are meant to help with everyday living and medical or health-related expenses. These expenses can include housing, food, transportation, alcohol or drug treatment programs, hearing loss assistance, basic dental services, and more.
What are the PWD payment dates?
The PWD payment dates typically fall in middle of the month. In 2025, they began on January 15 and will end on December 17. Each monthly payment is meant to cover your expenses for the previous month.
Who qualifies for PWD assistance in B.C.?
Applicants must meet certain financial requirements, be 18 years old, and live with a severe physical or mental impairment that makes performing everyday activities difficult. Applicants must require assistance from another person, device, or animal to get by.
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