Apply now for the BC Recovery Benefit, a one-time, tax-free payment of up to $1,000 for eligible families and single parents and up to $500 for eligible individuals. You have until June 30, 2021 to apply. 

Last updated: December 22, 2020

On this page:

• How the benefit works
• Determine your eligibility
• What you need to apply
• Submit your application
• After you apply
• Repayments

How the benefit works

The BC Recovery Benefit (the benefit) is a one-time direct deposit payment for eligible families, single parents or individuals. Benefit eligibility is based on net income from your 2019 tax return. You must apply to receive the benefit.  

Benefit rates

The amount you’re eligible for will be automatically calculated based on your income when you apply.

Families and single parents

• $1,000 for eligible families and single parents with a net income of up to $125,000
• Reduced benefit amount for eligible families and single parents with a net income of up to $175,000

Individuals

• $500 for eligible individuals with a net income of up to $62,500
• Reduced benefit amount for eligible individuals with a net income of up to $87,500

Using 2019 income tax data

As with the B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers, in order to prevent fraudulent claims, applicants must provide 2019 income tax data to receive the benefit.

British Columbians need support now, and if the benefit relied on 2020 income tax data, payment wouldn’t be possible until approximately fall 2021.

Determine your eligibility

General eligibility criteria

Generally, the benefit is available to people:

• Who are residents of British Columbia on December 18, 2020
• Who are at least 19 years old on December 18, 2020, or meet specific eligibility criteria
• Who filed a 2019 Canadian personal income tax return, or meet specific eligibility criteria
• Who have a valid social insurance number, individual tax number or temporary tax number

If you receive a payment and we later determine that you’re not eligible for it, you will be required to repay it.

Note: If you’re applying for the family benefit, your spouse or common-law partner must also meet the general eligibility criteria.

1. Stick to a Routine

COVID-19 has put many aspects of our daily routines — such as listening to podcasts on the way to work or heading to a workout class after leaving the office — on hold. As a result, it is difficult to “draw the line between when work begins and when it ends,” says Dr. Laura Hamill, chief people officer and chief science officer at Limeade.

Haesue Jo, LMFT, clinical support lead at online counseling platform BetterHelp, echoes this sentiment. “It’s really easy right now, because we’re staying home, to let go of any sense of structure or routine,” she says. One of the best ways to maintain mental and emotional wellness when working remotely is to implement and stick to “some kind of structured routine,” Jo adds. Simple actions, like waking up at the same time you normally would, taking regular lunch breaks or simply enjoying a cup of coffee on the porch each morning, can create structure and, in turn, improve productivity.

Sticking to a routine can also help you “shut off” after hours, which can be difficult now that “we no longer have boundaries between home and work,” Jo says. Hamill suggests adopting a “regular ritual” that signals the end of the workday, whether it’s taking a walk or simply leaving your laptop in your workspace.

2. Don’t Forget the Basics

Self-care doesn’t have to mean taking lavish vacations or indulging in expensive spa days. Some of the best ways to take care of ourselves are simple: getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and eating healthy foods. “These are some of the pillars of wellness, because if you’re not feeling well physically, it’s definitely going to impact your mood and ability to perform,” Jo says. A RAND study found that a lack of sleep among the U.S. workforce is a $411 billion problem, causing employees to miss 1.2 million working days each year. As a learning leader, it’s critical to take care of yourself so you can help others achieve their goals.

Hamill suggests making time for “what fuels you,” whether it’s going outdoors, enjoying a family meal or spending time with a pet. Dauer says simple actions like “pausing with intent” at intervals throughout the day can help clear your head, leaving you better able to tackle the next task on your to-do list. To perform at our highest capacity in all areas of our lives, “everyone, as much as humanly possible right now, should be prioritizing their physical and psychological well-being, paramount to all else,” Dauer says.

3. Ask For Help if You Need It

Self-care can help reduce stress and anxiety, especially during times of uncertainty. However, it’s important to regularly assess your mental and emotional well-being to determine if and when you should seek professional help. This self-assessment is easier said than done, however. Scott Roy, chief executive officer and co-founder of Whitten & Roy Partnership, says, “It’s very easy for us as human beings to slip into ‘autopilot’ — doing things the way we do them, regardless of how we feel.” The first step toward improving your mental and emotional health is “waking up” to the fact that you’re overwhelmed, he says. Mental health assessments can help you understand your current emotional state so that you can determine a proper course of action.

Online counseling services make it possible to speak with a licensed therapist “from the safety of your own home,” Jo says. Since the pandemic started, there’s “definitely been an increase” in people seeking remote counseling due to COVID-related anxiety and stress. In fact, in Morneau Shepell’s Mental Health Index, 75% of respondents reported that the pandemic has had a “negative impact” on their mental health.

If you’re struggling with a mental illness, Cornerstone OnDemand recommends talking to your manager so you can work together to find solutions to help you continue working to the best of your ability. Dauer says it’s “completely reasonable” to set expectations with your manager regarding when you need uninterrupted time to focus on important projects and when you need time to decompress.

Hamill agrees it’s important to “speak up” and “be real” with your manager about how you’re feeling and what accommodations could help you better navigate this uncertain time. Talking about your mental health with your manager is an exercise in vulnerability but, ultimately, can help you get the support you need.

As the pandemic continues to alter our personal and professional lives, Dauer says it’s “absolutely imperative” to practice self-care every day. Prioritizing your mental and emotional well-being will leave you better positioned to serve your learners at a time when learning has never been more vital to business outcomes. And remember: Our lives are not normal right now. “We are all doing the best we can given the circumstances,” Hamill says. “Give yourself grace.”