Where to Start: The Two Main Programs in BC
British Columbia has two separate disability support programs, and which one you explore to depends on your work history. Persons with Disabilities (PWD) is for people who cannot work due to a medical condition, regardless of past employment. Disability information for Working-Age Adults (DAWA) is for people with a disability who are working part-time or occasionally. If you have never worked or worked very little, you explore for PWD. If you are currently working some hours, you may may have access to for DAWA instead, which has higher income limits.
Both programs are run by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. You explore through the same office — your local Ministry office or online through the BC Services Portal. The process itself is the same form; the program you enter depends on your circumstances and what the Ministry determines after review.
Key Takeaways
- You explore through your local BC Ministry office or online at the BC Services Portal, and you need a completed medical report from a doctor or specialist to support your process.
- PWD is for people unable to work; DAWA is for people with disabilities who work part-time, and both use the same process form.
- The medical report must be on the official form (the Disability Assessment Form) and describe how your condition limits your ability to work or function daily.
- Processing takes 30 to 60 days from the date the Ministry receives all required documents, and you will receive written notice of approval or denial.
- If denied, you can request a reconsideration within 30 days by submitting new medical evidence or clarifying information the Ministry may have misunderstood.
Gathering Your Medical Documentation
The most important part of your process is the medical report. The Ministry will not move forward without one, and a weak or incomplete report is the most common reason applications are delayed or denied. You need a doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other regulated health professional to complete the official Disability Assessment Form. This is not a letter from your doctor — it is a specific multi-page form that asks detailed questions about your diagnosis, how long you have had the condition, what treatments you have tried, and how the condition affects your ability to work or manage daily tasks.
You can read the Disability Assessment Form from the BC Services Portal or pick one up at your local Ministry office. Give it to your doctor or specialist and ask them to complete it. Some doctors charge a fee for this (typically $50 to $150); ask before you hand it over. The form must be signed and dated by the health professional. If you see multiple doctors, you may need reports from more than one — for example, if you have both a mental health condition and a physical condition, a psychiatrist's report and a family doctor's report together make a stronger case than one alone.
Do not submit a letter instead of the form. The Ministry has a specific process for reviewing the Disability Assessment Form, and a letter, even from a specialist, will likely be returned as incomplete and delay your process by weeks.
Documents You Need Before You explore
Gather these documents before you start the process. Having them ready means you can submit everything at once, which speeds up processing.
| Document | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| Disability Assessment Form (completed by your doctor) | Proves your medical condition and its impact on your ability to work |
| Proof of identity (driver's license, passport, or BC ID) | Confirms who you are |
| Proof of BC residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last three months) | Shows you live in BC and are may be able to access for provincial support |
| Proof of income (pay stubs, tax return, or letter from employer) | Determines whether you meet income limits for the program |
| List of assets (bank accounts, vehicles, property) | Some programs have asset limits; the Ministry needs to know what you own |
| Proof of any other income or support (CPP, EI, child support, rent information) | The Ministry counts all income when determining your benefit amount |
If you are explore for DAWA and you are working, bring recent pay stubs showing your current hours and wages. If you are self-employed, bring your most recent tax return and a letter describing your current work situation.
How to Submit Your process
You have two options: explore online through the BC Services Portal or explore in person at your local Ministry office. Online is faster if you have all documents ready and can upload them. In person takes longer but allows you to ask questions and hand over documents directly.
Online process: Go to the BC Services Portal (www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/income-information). Create an account or log in. Select "explore for Disability information" and follow the prompts. You will be asked to upload your Disability Assessment Form, proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of income. The system will tell you if a file is too large or in the wrong format. Submit when complete. You will receive a confirmation number — save this.
In-person process: Find your local Ministry office using the office locator on the BC government website. Bring all documents listed above. A staff member will help you fill out the form and will accept your documents on the spot. Ask for a receipt showing what you submitted and the date. This receipt is your proof that the Ministry received your process.
Do not mail your process unless the Ministry specifically instructs you to. Mailed documents take longer to process and are easier to lose.
What Happens After You Submit
Once the Ministry receives your complete process, processing typically takes 30 to 60 days. During this time, the Ministry may contact your doctor to ask follow-up questions about your medical report. They may also contact you by phone or mail if they need clarification on your income, assets, or living situation.
You will receive written notice of the decision by mail. If approved, the letter will state which program you have been placed in (PWD or DAWA), your monthly benefit amount, and when payments begin. If denied, the letter will explain the reason — usually that the medical evidence does not show you are unable to work, or that your income or assets are above the limit.
Approval does not happen by phone or email. If someone calls claiming to represent the Ministry and offers to speed up your process for a fee, that is a scam. The Ministry does not charge for applications and does not call to offer approval.
If Your process Is Denied
A denial is not final. You have 30 days from the date on the denial letter to request a reconsideration. This is different from an appeal — reconsideration means asking the Ministry to look at your case again, usually because you have new medical evidence or because you believe they misunderstood something in your original process.
To request reconsideration, write a letter to the Ministry office that denied you. Include your process number (from your denial letter), explain what new information you have or what was misunderstood, and attach any new documents — such as an updated medical report, additional test results, or a letter from your doctor clarifying something from the original form. Mail or deliver this letter to your local Ministry office within 30 days.
If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a formal appeal to an independent review officer. This process takes longer (usually 60 to 90 days) but gives you a chance to present your case to someone outside the Ministry. The appeal letter will explain how to request this review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a specialist's report or can my family doctor do it?
Your family doctor can complete the Disability Assessment Form if they know your medical history well. However, if your condition is complex or requires specialist knowledge — such as a psychiatric diagnosis, neurological condition, or rare disease — a specialist's report is stronger and less likely to be questioned. If you see both a family doctor and a specialist, submit both reports.
What if I cannot afford to pay my doctor to fill out the form?
Ask your doctor's office if they will complete it for free or at a reduced cost, especially if you are low-income. Some doctors do this as part of patient care. If your doctor refuses and you cannot pay, contact your local Ministry office — staff can sometimes suggest other doctors or clinics in your area that may help at no cost.
Can I work while receiving PWD or DAWA?
PWD allows you to earn up to a small amount per month without losing benefits (the exact amount changes yearly). DAWA is specifically for people who are working part-time. If you are on PWD and start earning more than the allowed amount, you must report it to the Ministry. If you are on DAWA, your benefit adjusts based on your earnings.
How long does it take to get my first payment?
If approved, your first payment is issued the month after you are approved. So if you are approved in March, your first payment arrives in April. Payments are made monthly, usually by direct deposit to your bank account.
What if my circumstances change after I am approved?
You must report changes to the Ministry within 10 days. Changes include starting or stopping work, moving, getting married or divorced, having a child, or a change in your medical condition. Failure to report can result in overpayment, which the Ministry will ask you to repay. Report changes by calling your local Ministry office or updating your account on the BC Services Portal.