Renting in Canada, especially in cities like Vancouver and Burnaby, can be expensive. Sometimes, life can creep up on you, and you may find yourself in an unfortunate situation where you need some extra money to pay the rent. Fortunately, the BC government has some rental assistance benefits to help you out. 

We’ll get into the top housing payment assistance programs and emergency rent help in BC. Before we do, take a look at what to do if the landlord raises your rent and your rights as a tenant in BC.  

The Main BC Rental Assistance Programs

These are the three more well-known BC government rental assistance benefits for low-income renters. 

Rental Assistance Program (RAP)

The Rental Assistance Program in BC supports low-income families with monthly rental payments. If you meet all of the eligibility criteria and start receiving payments, you’ll need to reapply each year. 

Eligibility

You must meet ALL of the following criteria to be eligible for the Rental Assistance Program:

• Some or all of your household income is from a job 

• Your annual household income before tax is $40,000 or less

• You have at least one dependent child (under 19 or 25 but a full-time student)

• You have less than $100,000 in assets

• You file an income tax return every year 

• More than 30% of your household income goes towards rent 

• You’ve lived in BC for at least one year before the application date 

How to apply

To apply, you’ll need to download an application form or request a paper copy and mail it to the BC rental office. You’ll also need to complete the Direct Deposit Form, as the payments will be sent to your account on the last working day of each month. 

Other additional documents you’ll need to include:

• Proof of Canadian status 

• Proof of rent

• Proof of assets

• Proof of income 

How much can you receive? 

There is no set amount that each family can receive from RAP, as it depends on each individual situation. The Rental Assistance Program Calculator can give you a better idea of how much you can receive. 

Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER)

The SAFER program provides monthly cash payments to subsidize rent for eligible BC seniors with low to moderate income above 60 years old. You’ll need to reapply each year if you still meet the eligibility criteria. 

Eligibility

You can apply for this program if:

• You are 60 years of age or older

• You have lived in BC for the full 12 months prior to the application 

• You and your spouse (if you have one) meet Canadian citizenship requirements 

• You pay more than 30% of your monthly household income on rent 

Those earning over $37,240 annually do not qualify for this BC rent subsidy. 

How to apply

To apply for the SAFER program, you’ll need to either download and fill out an application form or request a paper copy, then send it to the BC rental office. 

You’ll also need to provide:

• Tax information 

• Proof of current monthly income 

• Self-employment or business income (if applicable) 

• Proof of age (for those under 65)

• Proof of rent

• Bank information 

Take a look at the SAFER application checklist for everything you need to include. 

How much can you receive? 

The minimum benefit you can receive is $50 per month, but this amount will vary based on your income and personal situation. You can use this calculator to find out how much rent help you can get. 

Canada-BC Housing Benefit (CBCHB)

The Canada-BC Housing Benefit is for those who do not qualify for other rent assistance in BC. You cannot apply for this benefit directly, as BC Housing will choose eligible applicants from the Housing Registry. 

Eligibility 

This program is subject to available funding, and the benefit will be distributed to those most in need first. 

Priority groups who may be eligible for this benefit include:

• People at risk of or experiencing homelessness

• Women and children at risk of or experiencing domestic violence 

• People dealing with mental health issues 

• People with disabilities

• Youth leaving care

• Veterans

• Racialized communities 

To be eligible, you must not have a gross annual household income exceeding $31,992 to $44,400, depending on the size of your family. 

Learn more about eligibility requirements for the CBCHB. 

Photo by Breno Assis on Unsplash 

BC Renter’s Tax Credit

The BC renter’s tax credit is based on annual income, providing low-income individuals and families up to $400. You can claim this tax credit on your T1 Income Tax and Benefit Return each year. 

Eligibility 

For the 2023 and following tax years, you can claim the renter’s tax credit if you meet these eligibility requirements:

• You occupied an eligible rental unit in BC under a tenancy agreement for at least six months and paid rent 

• On December 31 of the tax year, you were a resident of BC and 19 years or older

How to claim the credit 

When filing your income tax return, you can claim the credit on form BC479 British Columbia Credits. When filling it out, enter the total rent you have paid for the tax year. 

How much can you receive?

For the 2024 tax year, the maximum renter’s tax credit is $400. If your annual income is over $63,000, the credit is reduced by 2% of the amount that exceeds $63,000, up to $83,000. This amount is adjusted each year with inflation. 

If you receive any other rental subsidy in BC, you can still claim the renter’s tax credit, which won’t be reduced. 

Other Housing Payment Assistance Programs in BC

The following housing payment assistance programs help you pay for electricity and home adaptations. 

Energy Conservation Assistance Program

If you live in an income-qualified household, you could be eligible to receive free upgrades to help improve the quality and efficiency of your home. The products and upgrades you can receive include:

• LED light bulbs

• Clothes drying rack

• High-efficiency showerheads

• Door weather stripping

• Faucet aerators 

• Carbon monoxide detectors

• Hot water pipe insulating wrap 

If you apply and are approved for this program, an energy coach will visit your home and install energy-saving products for free. They will also give you a rundown of the products installed and energy-saving tips. 

Eligibility 

To be eligible, you must earn an annual household income of no more than $39,700 to $105,100, depending on the number of people who live in your home. Take a look at the income qualification chart here. 

Note that the BC Hydro or City of New Westminster utility account must be in your name if you are a renter. You will not be eligible if the landlord takes care of your utility bills. 

How to apply 

You can apply for the program online or mail a paper application. You can apply for a free portable air conditioner here. You must include proof of income for all members of your household who are 18 or older. 

BC Hydro Customer Crisis Fund

The Customer Crisis Fund helps residential customers of BC Hydro who are facing disconnection of their service despite trying to make payments. If you are experiencing a temporary financial crisis and have fallen behind on your hydro bill, you may be eligible for this fund. 

This fund is not only for those with low incomes but also for those who may have experienced a sudden loss of income for any reason. 

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive a grant, you must:

• Be the residential account holder

• Apply for a grant for your primary residence account

• Have payments overdue by at least 21 days or be facing disconnection

• Have an outstanding balance of $1,000 or less, and tried to make payments towards your bill

• Have experienced a life event in the past 12 months that caused a temporary financial loss 

You can receive one grant per year per account holder. 

How to apply 

The fastest way for your application to be reviewed is by applying online. You can also fill out and submit a paper application at a Service BC location. 

How much can you receive?

You can apply for a grant to pay an overdue balance on your hydro bill. The maximum you can receive is $700 (for those with non-electricity heated homes) or $800 (for those who heat their homes with electricity). 

The amount of the grant depends on just how much you owe–if your overdue balance is $450, you may receive just that amount. 

BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC RAHA)

The BC RAHA is a rebate program where eligible low- and moderate-income individuals or households can receive up to $20,000 to complete home adaptations. This is meant for seniors and those with permanent disabilities to gain greater independence while living alone. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for this rebate, you must live in BC and have limited income and assets. You or someone in your home must have a permanent disability or loss of ability. This program is available for homeowners as well as renters, but we’ll focus on eligibility for tenants. 

Landlords and tenants can submit a joint application for rebates to modify the rental unit. The following criteria must be met:

• The rental suite must be a legal, self-contained unit with a full kitchen and bathroom

• Tenants must live independently and not require assisted living 

• There must be a tenancy agreement in place 

• The tenant’s total household income must not be more than $134,140, and their assets must be under $100,000

How to apply

You and the landlord must complete the BC RAHA Application Form and submit it online or by mail to BC Housing. You must include certain supporting documents for landlords and tenants, which can be found here.

Once approved, you have 180 days to start the work otherwise your rebate may be cancelled. 

How much can you receive? 

You can receive up to $20,000, but this amount will vary depending on your household and individual situation. Use this BC RAHA Calculator to get an estimate. 

These rental assistance benefits from the BC government and BC Hydro can help you if you ever get into a tight situation and are unable to pay rent. If you meet the eligibility criteria, they can help alleviate the financial strain of renting in today’s difficult market. 

With Chexy, you can use your credit card to pay rent, earn rewards, and improve your credit, helping you build a stronger financial future.

Get started with Chexy today. 

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