WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program

• For standard WorkBC clients: Up to 24 weeks of subsidy, with wage coverage as follows: 50% (up to $500 weekly) for the first third of the work period, 25% (up to $250 weekly) for the second third, and 15% (up to $150 weekly) for the final third.
• For priority clients (youth aged 16-30 and individuals with disabilities): Up to 24 weeks of subsidy, with wage coverage as follows: 75% (up to $750 weekly) for the first third of the work period, 50% (up to $500 weekly) for the second third, and 25% (up to $250 weekly) for the final third.
• For custom category clients (matched persons with disabilities or complex barriers): Up to 78 weeks, with eligibility for a negotiated subsidy percentage up to a maximum of 85%.
• Employers may also receive coverage for the employer portion of Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs) such as Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), WorkSafeBC, and eligible vacation pay.

• The business must be registered in British Columbia.
• The employer must comply with all applicable legislation, including the Employment Standards Act, Workers Compensation Act, Income Tax Act (Canada), and Employment Insurance Act (Canada).
• The employer must have an active WorkSafeBC account in good standing.
• The position offered must be primarily based and performed in British Columbia, and must be a full-time role (35-40 hours per week, unless a reduced schedule is required by the job seeker).
• The employer must offer insurable employment and pay reasonable, competitive wages reflecting current market rates for the position.

Who is eligible?

• Registered businesses in British Columbia

Who is not eligible

• Federal and provincial government entities (Government of B.C. and Government of Canada)
• Public sector organizations, including municipalities, schools, school boards, public universities and colleges, hospitals, and health authorities
• WorkBC service providers administering the Wage Subsidy program
• Employers offering positions based entirely on commission or piecework (without a guaranteed base wage)
• Employers already receiving another wage subsidy for the same employee during the same period

Eligible expenses

• Portion of employee wages during the subsidy period (up to the program's maximum weekly amounts).
• Employer portion of Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs), including EI, CPP, WorkSafeBC, and vacation pay.
• Disability supports to reduce barriers for an employee to work.

Eligible geographic areas

• British Columbia

• An employer can have up to five active Wage Subsidy agreements per CRA Business Number at one time and a maximum of 10 subsidized clients per fiscal year (April–March).
• Employers must digitally attest to full compliance with the program's requirements during the application process.
• Job seekers matched to a position must not begin work until the Wage Subsidy agreement is signed.
• The Wage Subsidy platform allows sharing and management of applications and claim forms within organizations that have a Business BCeID.