What is the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Program?

The Persons with Dsiabilities (PWD) designation is a British Columbia government program that provides financial and medical support to individuals with severe and prolonged disabilities in BC. This program helps eligible individuals by offering financial assistance, healthcare coverage, and additional benefits to support daily living.

 

Who is Eligible for PWD?

To qualify for PWD, you must:

• Be 18 years or older or within 6 months of turning 18 years old.

• Live in British Columbia.

• Have a severe and prolonged disability that significantly restricts your ability to complete daily living activities, such as:

--> Mobility challenges

--> Cognitive impairments

--> Chronic medical conditions

--> Mental health disorders

• Require ongoing help from another person, an assistive device, or a service animal to manage daily tasks.

• Have financial need that is determined based on income and assets.

 

Benefits of PWD

1 - Monthly Financial Assistance

• Individuals may receive up to $1483 per month as of 2024.

• Couples and families may receive additional financial support based on number of dependent children and household income.

 

2 - Medical and Prescription Coverage

• Medical Services Plan (MSP): Covers essential healthcare services.

• PharmaCare Plan W: Covers most prescription medications.

• Dental and Vision Care: Includes basic dental services and eye exams every two years.

• Medical Equipment & Devices: Mobility aids, prosthetics, orthotics, and medical supplies.

• Dietary Supplements

 

3 - Transportation & Discounts

• BC Bus Pass Program: Reduced-cost transit passes.

• Fuel Tax Refund: Savings on fuel purchases for those with mobility disabilities.

• HandyDART: Accessible transit services.

 

4 - Employment & Education Support

• PWD recipients can work  and still receive benefits with an earnings exemption.

• Disability Assistance Supplements: Support for employment, education, and training.

 

Other Benefits

• Crisis Supplements for unexpected expenses (i.e. medical needs, emergencies).

• Annual Bus Pass or Transportation Assistance for eligible individuals.

 

How to Apply for PWD Designation

1 - Apply for Income Assistance

You must apply for income assistance prior to submitting a PWD application. This allows the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR) to assess your financial eligibility. You do not need to wait to receive income assistance payments before applying for the PWD if you qualify for financial need.

 

2 - Get the Application

The healthcare professional completing your application is able to access the online form and do not require you to bring one to the appointment.

If you would like to see the application, you can access it through two ways:

--> Download a copy of the PWD Application Form from the BC Government website.

--> Pick up a copy from the MSDPR office.

 

3 - Complete the Worksheets

Fill out the section 1 & 2 worksheets plus the WHODAS worksheet linked above. These take the place of writing in section 1 in the PWD booklet.

The worksheets provide guidance so that you give the MSDPR adjudicator the exact information they are looking for instead of guessing on your application.

 

4 - Complete the Booklet

• Section One: You will complete worksheets in lieu of writing responses in the booklet. There is a place to sign with a witness that can be done at your appointment for completing section two or three.

• Section Two: A Nurse Practitioner or Physician who is familiar with your medical history must complete the Medical Confirmation section.

• Section Three: A third-party assessor such as a Social Worker must complete the Daily Living Impact section.

 

5 - Submit the Application

• The clinician completing the last section will scan your application into your chart and submit the form via mail.

• Other options for submission include:

--> Mail or drop it off at an MSDPR office.

--> Apply online through My Self Serve (MySS).

 

6 - Wait for Approval

• Processing can take up to 3 months.

• If approved, benefits start the month after approval.

• If denied, you can request a reconsideration within 20 business days of receiving your denial letter.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are children eligible for PWD?

A: No. You have to be 18-years-old to receive PWD benefits. You can begin the PWD application process up to six months before your 18th birthday.

 

Q: Is the PWD designation permanent? Will the Ministry ask me to re-apply for PWD in the future?

A: Although the PWD designation is not a permanent designation, the current Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR) practice is not to ask people to re-apply for PWD. In other words, you will not be asked to complete another 28-page application.

 

Q: Do I have to be on income assistance before I apply for PWD?

A: You do not need to be in receipt of income assistance to apply for PWD, but you do need to apply for income assistance before you can apply for PWD. The reason for this is so that MSDPR can assess your financial eligibility first before applying for the PWD designation.

There are some cases where you may not be financially eligible to get income assistance, but MSDPR will determine that you may still be under the income threshold to apply for PWD.

For example, if your income is over $1060 per month (the IA rate as of August 2023), but under $1483.50 (the PWD rate as of August 2023), or if your assets are over $5,000, but are under $100,000, then you are allowed to apply for PWD.

However, in all cases you must go through the income assistance application process before applying for PWD.

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Q: Can I apply for PWD if my assets exceed the allowed asset limits for PWD ($100,000 for a single person)?

A: In some situations, you can. For example, if you have no income, you are living on your savings and you expect your assets to be under $100,000 in a few months, then you should be allowed to apply for PWD.

 

Q: How long does it take for the Ministry to make a decision regarding my PWD application?

A: Adjudication times can vary. However, it is not unusual for the Ministry to take two months or more to make a decision on your PWD eligibility.

 

Q: Can PWD applications be fast-tracked?

A: The Ministry can sometimes do this. If you have a grave medical condition, it is important to let the Ministry know by asking for the application to be expedited when you submit it.

 

Resources

Disability Alliance BC Disability Help Sheets Please visit the Disability Alliance BC website for access to their BC Disability Benefits Help Sheets. These guides explain the various benefits and programs in BC for people with disabilities and how to apply for them.

 

British Columbia Government Disability Assistance