BC Employment & Assistance

GOD HELP US ALL. HORRIBLE, RUDE AND NOT HELPFUL SERVICE IN ALL POSSIBLE LEVELS. THEY ARE THE TYPICAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUT TO THE NEGATIVE EXTREME,PRAY YOU WON'T NEED THIER HELP1 STAR IS A COMPLAINT, DISGUSTING

They make you feel bad for being on disability and question you about your illness to the point of mental distress & dehumanization. No one who works there can give you the same answer to a question, no one can direct you to the right person or how to access different medical related services the disabled are entitled to. Ableist!

I urgently needed to speak to someone today so I called their number. Their automated system asked me if I would fill out a short survey after I'd finished speaking with someone, and, since I was feeling gracious and thought some feedback could help with improving the flawed welfare system, I agreed. I waited on the phone for over an hour to speak with someone and when I finally did, we talked for about two minutes before she put me on hold. And when she put me on hold, the automated survey started up and once I’d completed it, it hung up on me.I tried phoning again and the automated system told me I would have to wait another 50 minutes before I could speak with someone and then listed off all these automated responses and no matter what button I pushed, I was just taken to these prerecorded messages and I couldn't for the life of me figure out what magic combination of buttons I'd pressed to speak to someone the first time.So I drove to the welfare office so I could talk to someone without worrying about being put on hold or being hung up on. I waited in line outside the office for over an hour, until 4pm. I was next in line when 4pm hit and they closed. Security turned me away at the door and I didn't even have a chance to say anything because they just poke their head out the door, tell you they're not accepting any more people for the day, and pull the door shut. I'd spent an hour and a half waiting in line at this office and half of that time I was supposed to be at work. I had to miss the first hour of my shift to be there, only to not speak to anyone.I give two stars because any time I have actually spoken to someone, they have been very kind and understanding and it's not their fault it's like this. But if it weren't for these lovely people, I'd be giving one star because the systems Income Assistance BC has in place are not sufficient to support low-income members of our community and it is nearly impossible to speak to anyone. The systems Income Assistance BC have in place right now make communication nearly impossible. There is no email to contact, nor is there a way to message through their mySS server unless someone on their end messages you first. If I could've emailed or messaged someone, that might've saved me three hours. And with most automated phone systems I've used, there's the option to just press 0 to speak to someone (either immediately or after being on hold for a bit), but with this one, that is not an option, you just press different numbers, only to be sent to yet another menu. There are so many menus that it is confusing and I honestly have no clue how I even managed to speak to a person the first time.What changes do I recommend? Set up an email. Set up a messaging system in mySS that can be easily used. Alter the automated phone system so it is simple and so those of us who are calling because we actually need to talk to a real person can press 0 to speak to someone (or at least be put on hold until we can) rather than having to navigate a dozen different menus. Add more staff to both the in-person office and to the call centres, especially on days like the last of the month when people are needing to pick up cheques to pay their rent the next day. Create an efficient system that sorts the line into two groups (people who are simply picking up cheques, and everyone else) and have cheques handed out to everyone in the cheque line (surely there's an orderly and organized way to do this). I would recommend increasing the amount of income assistance we can receive as well, seeing as it is not keeping pace with the rising costs of living in BC, but I feel like I'm asking for the moon and stars when I say that.

There amazing and helpful and the security guard she is amazing too thank you for all everything

Sometimes helpful. Hate phone service

Lineup was long and the wait was just as long. The staff inside were very helpful and friendly.

Dropped off paper work for change of address/to get rent for new place. 2 weeks later and they tell me it never happened.

SLOW, UNORGANIZED AND RUDE SERVICE but hey it is a government office so sadly is kind of expected . Just bad experience over all on all accounts.

Treated fairly, and with dignity. Always answered when calling in, and never talked down to or like my issue's do not matter. I have and am on disability for a reason, NOT by choice and I am respected NOT tolerated... It makes a difference to someone who is in recovery and has had to prove themselves worthy time and time again throughout their lives.. Thank you!

I wanted to take the time to give a huge shout out to the workers who have been nothing but, compassionate, supportive, and understanding! My kids and are are extremely grateful!