Income Assistance Appeal Boards (BC)

Last revised July 11, 2024

Income Assistance Appeal Board (1995-1996)

The Income Assistance Appeal Board was established by section 8 of the Guaranteed Available Income for Need Amendment Act, 1995, S.B.C. 1995, c. 25, an amendment to the Guaranteed Available Income for Need Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c. 158 (also known as the GAIN Act). Establishment of the board became effective December 1, 1995 when B.C. Regulation 402/95 brought the amendment into force. Its decisions are not available.

BC Benefits Appeal Board (1996-2002)

The GAIN Act was repealed and replaced by the BC Benefits (Income Assistance) Act, S.B.C. 1996, c. 6.  A new board, the BC Benefits Appeal Board, was established under the BC Benefits (Appeals) Act, S.B.C. 1996, c. 4, effective October 7, 1996. (See also BC Regulations 271/96, 272/96 & 275/96). Summaries of selected decisions of the BC Benefits Appeal Board are available in the Vancouver Courthouse Library.

Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal (2002- )

The BC Benefits (Appeals) Act and the BC Benefits (Income Assistance) Act were repealed and replaced by the Employment and Assistance Act, S.B.C. 2002, c. 40, which was brought into force by B.C. Regulation No. 263/2002, effective September 30, 2002.  The BC Benefits Appeal Board was replaced by the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal which is now the agency that hears appeals in income assistance matters. All Tribunal decisions made after July 2008 are are available on the Tribunal website.