How to complete your "Monthly Report" Form

Side 1

Note: If all family members receive assistance through the Persons with Disabilities Program, you are not required to fill in a cheque stub every month – do so only if there is a change to report.

Complete Side 1 first by answering all questions. You and your spouse (if applicable) must complete all questions.
To ensure your cheque is available on time, complete the form correctly and submit it by the 5th day of the calendar month. For example, if you received a February assistance cheque at the end of January, your "Monthly Report" form (stub) is due by February 5th.
The information you report must include all changes that happened during the last calendar month (for example any money received from January 1st to 31st must be reported on the "stub" and handed in by February 5th). Incomplete or inaccurate information may result in the cheque stub being returned to you, and your assistance may be delayed.
Include details in the space provided if you are reporting changes for Questions 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
Report any money you received during the calendar month since your last stub, including all monies not previously declared. When declaring income, complete all boxes with either a "0" or the appropriate amount. Do not insert additional lines or leave any lines blank. Enclose cheque stubs or pay stubs for verification. Note that some benefits (e.g., the National Child Benefit) must be entered on a designated line.
If you are receiving maintenance income that is to be passed through to an adult child, you must declare the amount received under "ALL OTHER INCOME," and describe it as "Adult Passthrough."*

*Adult Passthrough is maintenance income received for a person named in a child support order where that person is now 19 years or older (or 18 years or older with disabilities) and who is not listed as a dependant on your income assistance file. When the maintenance is passed on to the adult child, it does not affect the amount of your assistance for that month.

Side 2

The cheque stub is a legal document. Ministry staff can verify the information with private, provincial and federal agencies.
You and your spouse (if applicable) must sign and date the cheque stub.
Print your name, your Social Insurance Number, and a phone number where staff can reach you.
If you have moved, attach a copy of a rent receipt for your new address.

An Example:

You receive your February income assistance on January 24th:

Complete Side 1 of the cheque stub with all the information regarding your January income and changes.
Sign and date Side 2, as described above.
Enclose the proper documentation for any declared income or other changes, such as a new address.
Return it to an Employment and Assistance Office by February 5th. This gives staff a chance to review the stub information and contact you if more information is required. The information you provide determines your eligibility or entitlement for March assistance. If eligible, you will receive March assistance on cheque issue day at the end of February.

To Receive Continued Assistance

Filling in the "Monthly Report" form lets ministry staff know that you are still in need of income assistance. You must also report changes of your situation since your last request.

Staff use this information to determine your eligibility or the amount of your next income assistance cheque.

The "Monthly Report" form is mailed to you and is known as the "cheque stub" or "EIA0081."

You may need income assistance for a number of reasons:

you have not yet found a job;
you are attending ministry-approved training or an employability program;
your job pays less than your assistance rate; or
it has been determined you are unable to work.

Changes to Your Report Include:

All income: this includes earned and unearned income, such as pension funds, Family Bonus payments, maintenance payments, Child Tax Benefits, Employment Insurance benefits, and income tax refunds.
Assets: items you own, have received or have sold.
Family status: monthly assistance is based on the number of people in your family.
Employment: have you gained or lost a job?
If you are attending school or training activities, you are required to notify the ministry.
Change of address or change in shelter costs.

Complete the form and return it to an Employment and Income Assistance Office by the 5th of the month.

What if I have trouble filling in the stub?

Phone the ministry toll-free number at 1 866 866-0800 or visit an Employment and Income Assistance Office. The staff will be pleased to help you.

What if I lose my stub?

You can get a replacement from an Employment and Assistance Office.

When is the next cheque issue day?

Cheque issue day is the date marked on Side 2 of your "Monthly Report" form. Generally speaking, cheque issue is the last Wednesday of the month. A full cheque issue schedule is available at: www.eia.gov.bc.ca/publicat/bcea/Cheqissu.htm.

What will happen if I don't report any changes?

There are consequences for failing to complete and accurately report changes on your "Monthly Report" form. Consequences include rate reductions or periods of ineligibility for assistance. It is important to correctly report changes to ministry staff.
If an overpayment occurs because of inaccurate or incomplete reporting, a sanction in the form of a $25 reduction for a period of time may be imposed.

For More Information

Contact the Ministry of Housing and Social Development by calling: 1 866 866-0800



Last updated: october 16, 2007