WorkBC Wage Subsidy

Your business could receive funding through the WorkBC Wage Subsidy. It provides eligible employers with funding to hire new employees, recall laid-off employees and facilitate work experience and on-the-job training to suitable new candidates.

 

Here is some basic information to help you decide if the WorkBC Wage Subsidy is right for you:

  • The job will need to be primarily based and performed in B.C.
  • Wage Subsidy placements can be up to a maximum of 800 hours.
  • You can have five active wage subsidies (per CRA Business Number) at one time
  • You can have a maximum of 10 subsidized clients per Ministry/WorkBC fiscal year (April to March)
  • You can recall a laid-off employee
  • You cannot fill a vacant position caused by a layoff (unless that employee declines the position)
  • You cannot be receiving Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) for the same employee, for the same time period

Eligible employers may receive:

  • A wage subsidy of 50% of the employee's wage, up to a maximum subsidy of $12.50 per hour
  • Funding for up to 800 hours
  • Support for wages up to $25.00 per hour

 

 

Eligibility

Job Seeker Eligibility

All Case Managed unemployed WorkBC clients, including EI Clients, BCEA Clients, General Clients, and General Clients with disabilities, may be eligible to participate in ths service.

Employer Eligibility
An Employer must:

  • Be a registered business in B.C.
  • Be compliant with all applicable legislation including, but not limited to, the Employment Standards Act, Workers Compensation Act, Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Employment Insurance Act (Canada)
  • Be at Arm’s Length from the WorkBC Employment Services Contractor and potential employee
  • Offer a full-time position of approximately 35 hours per week, unless the Client has a special need for fewer hours per week and this need is documented (these clients must be Case Managed Clients who are matched through a WorkBC Centre)
  • Offer Insurable Employment, as defined by the Employment Insurance Act (Canada)
  • Offer a position where the job and work are primarily done in B.C.
  • Not fill a position vacant because of a layoff (other than by filling it with the laid-off person, unless that person declines the position)
  • Confirm that the client is not an existing employee of the Employer or if the client is an existing employee, that they have been laid-off and are being recalled
  • Confirm that no workers will experience a reduction in hours or be laid off as a result of the Wage Subsidy placement
  • Offer the likelihood of long-term employment or provide needed work experience to enable client to achieve long-term employment elsewhere
  • Pay reasonable, competitive wages that are reflective of the prevailing wage rate for the position


An Employer must not:

  • Be either the Government of BC or the Government of Canada
  • Be considered “public sector”, including: municipalities, schools, school boards, public universities and colleges, hospitals, health authorities or “other government entities”
  • Offer Employment based on 100 percent commission or piecework. Employment including some earnings based on commission or piecework may be supported, but the Client must be paid a guaranteed labour market wage in addition to any commission-based earnings
  • Be an active WorkBC Client participating in Self-Employment Services
  • Offer a position working under a WorkBC Contract
  • Be the WorkBC Contractor that provides the Wage Subsidy
  • Be in receipt of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), or other Wage
  • Subsidy funding for the same client WorkBC will be subsidizing during the same period

 

Questions and Answers

What does it mean to be “at arm’s length”?
Arm’s length means two parties (i.e. each may be an individual, a corporation, society or another type of organization) that are free and independent of each other. There is no special relationship between them (e.g. family) and each has no authority to control the other nor does a common entity control both. If two parties are not arms-length from each other, any dealings between them may result in a perceived or actual conflict of interests and should be carefully considered.

For the purposes of arm’s length, a family member includes immediate family as well as other relatives and individuals considered to be like family, whether or not related by marriage, common-law partnership, or any legal parent-child relationship.

Is the Wage Subsidy service only available for B.C. jobs?
Yes, all individuals subsidized under a WorkBC Wage Subsidy must be in a position where the job and work are primarily done in B.C.

Can I receive the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and the WorkBC Wage Subsidy for the same employee?
You cannot receive both for the same WorkBC client at the same time. You may be eligible for the WorkBC Wage Subsidy if CEWS has ended.

What is the maximum number of subsidies an Employer is eligible for?
An Employer can have up to 5 active Wage Subsidy agreements per CRA Business Number at one time and a maximum of 10 subsidized clients per Ministry/WorkBC fiscal year (April to March).

Can I access WorkBC Wage Subsidy for any job seeker who is underemployed?
Employees who are underemployed are not eligible for a Wage Subsidy. However, they are encouraged to contact their local WorkBC Centre to enquire about services and supports that might be available to help them achieve full-time employment.

Can Employers recall employees who were laid off?
Yes, but employers must not fill a position vacant due to a layoff (other than with the laid-off person, unless they have declined the position).

Can I provide a wage subsidy that is less than 35 hours per week?
The 35 hours per week requirement is approximate, but the intent of the Wage Subsidy service is to support full-time placements. Job seekers who require less than a full-time Wage Subsidy must contact their WorkBC Centre (these clients must be Case Managed Clients who are matched through a WorkBC Centre).



Application

How do I apply?
There are two ways to apply:

  1. Complete the online application through the WorkBC Wage Subsidy platform.
  2. Contact WorkBC Centre Coquitlam for assistance.
    Address: Suite 221 - 3030 Lincoln Ave, Coquitlam, BC, V3B 6B4
    Phone: 778-730-0174
    E-mail: info-coquitlam@workbc.ca

For detailed information about the Wage Subsidy program, including eligibility requirements, program details and the application process, please review the Wage Subsidy Handbook.

WorkBC Centres administer the wage subsidy program, they can:

  • Help you with your application
  • Tell you more about the program
  • Match you with a qualified job seeker

What information do I need for the application?

You will need a Business BCeID or Basic BCeID to access the online Wage Subsidy platform. Once you start a new application, you will need to provide some basic information about your business, such as your contact information, address and CRA Business Number.

You will have to answer questions such as:

  • Do you have third-party liability coverage?
  • Do you have WorkSafeBC coverage?
  • Do you meet the eligibility criteria?

It takes about 10 minutes to complete the application. You can save a temporary draft of your application on the Wage Subsidy platform and submit it later. Your WorkBC Centre will contact you to match you with a qualified, job-ready candidate. WorkBC will inform you about the next steps in the application process once you have applied.

What financial supports is an employer eligible for?

Effective August 31, 2026, employers may be eligible for a subsidy covering 50% of the employee’s wages, up to a maximum of $12.50 per hour for up to 800 hours.

 

 

Contact us

At any time, you can contact us. Our staff will be pleased to help you complete your application or answer your questions.