Section 2 – Settlement process
What is “Welfare”
This is also known as “Income Assistance” or “Employment Assistance”. This is money or benefits that the provincial government gives to people that qualify because of financial hardship.
VRSA can provide you with orientation on the welfare system and access to the welfare website. pdf Welfare-English
To receive this financial assistance you have to have been accepted by CIC as eligible for the refugee claim process. You need the following:
- Your immigration eligibility document
- Proof that you do not have any other resources to look after your basic needs such as shelter and food.
- An address, even if it is temporary or you are in an emergency shelter. (Have the name of the shelter where you are staying.)
- Address of closest welfare office to where you live. The welfare office needs to see your address including your postal code.
- Completion of Orientation session: Once you make contact with the welfare office you need to follow their instructions including the completion of an orientation session via internet (BC Employment and Assistance Web Orientation).
- File or reference number. At the end of the orientation session you will get a number. Write it down and take it to Welfare to prove you completed the orientation session.
Now you can apply for an interview appointment time. Do not worry about bringing an interpreter for your interview the office will provide one but make sure that you complete all the forms that you received before the interview.
IMPORTANT
Be aware that if you are a refugee claimant and do not have a work permit yet,
you do not have to comply with the 3 weeks wait and Job Search requirement, before getting an interview.
