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Updated: February 19, 2007

TWO-YEAR INDEPENDENCE TEST

• In order to encourage individuals to achieve self-sufficiency, BC Employment and Assistant (BCEA) applicants are required to demonstrate that they have been financially independent for at least two consecutive years to be eligible for income assistance.

• To be eligible for income assistance, at least one applicant in a family unit must have been financially independent for at least two consecutive years.

• Applicants are considered to have been financially independent if they have worked for at least 840 hours or earned at least $7,000 in each of the two consecutive years.

• This requirement does not apply to a number of groups which include:
  • Persons designated as Persons with Disabilities;
  • Persons under age 19;
  • Persons with dependent children, or pregnant women;
  • Persons who have fled abuse within the past six months;
  • Persons with a two-year diploma, bachelor degree or higher; and
  • Persons with a medical condition that currently prevents them from working, or that prevented them from working for at least six months during the two years immediately preceding application for BCEA.

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