Earnings Exemptions
- Earnings exemptions allow eligible income assistance and disability assistance clients to earn income (up to a monthly limit) in addition to shelter and support assistance.
- These exemptions offer individuals a better opportunity to get job skills and experience to transition to employment, take advantage of short-term or temporary work, and better provide for their families while receiving assistance.
- On October 1, 2012, the ministry instituted a $200 monthly earnings exemption for all expected-to-work clients and increased the earnings exemption for single Persons with Disabilities (PWD) clients to $800 per month.
- On January 1, 2013, the ministry instituted a $1000 monthly earnings exemption for all family units with 2 adult recipients where only one recipient has the PWD designation.
- Earnings exemptions are also available to Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers (PPMB) and single parents caring for a child with a severe disability.
- To be eligible for the earnings exemption, clients must have been in receipt of either income assistance or disability assistance for the previous month, with the exception of returning PWD designated clients who have no wait period.
- Annualized earning exemptions (AEE) for individuals on disability assistance began on January 1, 2013. The AEE is being phased in and the first phase focuses on individuals on disability assistance whose past earnings pattern shows they are most likely to benefit from an annualized earnings exemption. This phased approach will allow the ministry to monitor the program and make necessary adjustments before opening the program up to all British Columbians on disability assistance in January 2014. More information on AEE is available at the following:
| Eligible Clients |
Earnings Exemption Amount |
| All family units, including individuals eligible for income assistance who are not listed below |
$200 |
| A family unit with one adult recipient who has the PWD designation |
$800 |
A family unit with two adult recipients where only one recipient has the PWD designation
A family unit where both individuals have the PWD designation |
$1000
$1600 |
| A family unit where one individual is a PPMB (this includes single PPMB individuals) |
$500 |
| A single parent who cares for a child with a severe disability where the disability of the child precludes the parent from working outside the home for more than 30 hours per week. |
$300 |
For more information:
Ministry of Social Development Info Line
1 866 866-0800
