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Financial assistance is now available for Ukrainians arriving in B.C. under the federal authorization for emergency travel.

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B.C. provides financial assistance for displaced Ukrainians

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 10:36 PDT, Wed June 29, 2022

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Ukrainian citizens arriving in B.C. under the federal Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) can now apply for hardship assistance from the B.C. government.

Eligibility for hardship assistance is based on need and can be as much as $935 per month (single person), as much as $1,770 per month (family of four), as much as $1,358.50 per month (single person with a disability), and as much as $2,193.50 per month (family of four, one adult is a person with a disability).

"British Columbia is helping Ukrainians arriving in our province who are fleeing the invasion of their homeland. We expect thousands of displaced Ukrainians to arrive over the next few months, and the changes announced today will help us address their critical needs as they adjust to their new surroundings," said Nicholas Simons, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. "This assistance will also relieve some of the pressure that community organizations are facing as they help displaced Ukrainians find work and transition to life in our province."

Ukrainians who arrive under CUAET can apply for up to six months of hardship assistance from the ministry after they have accessed the federal one-time temporary financial support, the Canada-Ukraine Transitional Assistance Initiative (CUTAI).

"This direct financial assistance will help displaced Ukrainians find their footing here in B.C.," said Nathan Cullen, Minister of Municipal Affairs. "Access to funding when they arrive is crucial for people fleeing war and starting fresh in a new province thousands of kilometres from home. By easing access to this support, we are also unlocking supplementary benefits that newcomers may be eligible for—including the camp supplement, school startup supplement, security deposit supplement, and health supplements."

Without federal status as refugees, displaced Ukrainians have limited access to federal and provincial supports.

The ministry has changed the BC Employment and Assistance Program requirements to allow Ukrainians who arrive in B.C. under the CUAET, and other people who arrive under similar circumstances, to receive temporary financial assistance as they work to settle into their new communities.

"Since the beginning of the brutal aggression against Ukraine, the B.C. government has been offering unwavering support for the Ukrainian people who are fleeing war and choose our province as their safe temporary home," said Natalie Jatskevich, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress’ B.C. provincial council.

"The Ukrainian Canadian Congress, British Columbia Provincial Council welcomes the B.C. government's decision to provide hardship assistance and supplementary benefits for newcomers who enter into B.C. under the Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel. This important step guarantees that displaced Ukrainians will have their most immediate needs addressed while they are resettling in our province."

Along with providing crucial financial assistance, the province is committed to working with its partners to support displaced Ukrainians with a range of important resources, such as self-serve WorkBC employment services, including resume preparation and job readiness workshops. To date, more than 185 displaced Ukrainians have accessed WorkBC employment services.

To learn more about applying for temporary financial assistance for as long as six months, visit: gov.bc.ca/ukrainefinancialsupport.

To learn more about what supports are available to Ukrainians, or how to support Ukrainians arriving to B.C., visit the Welcoming Ukraine website: gov.bc.ca/welcomingukraine or call the Service BC toll-free phone line: 1-800-663-7867