Food, Income & Hardship Support

Community Harvest Food Bank

The Silvermere Community Harvest Food Bank provides free food and drop-in lunch services. It's run by community volunteers in the basement of the Anglican Church Hall.

• Address: 614 Christina Place, Silvermere
• Phone: 250-555-0146
• Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Register (phone or text) between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. for dine-in or take-out lunch or a hamper.
• Pickup: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Services are free. No one is turned away. You do not need to prove financial need, the food bank serves anyone who walks in hungry.

Employment Insurance (EI)

EI is your money. You paid into it through every paycheque you ever received. Using it when you need it is the entire point of the program, not charity, not a favour, not something to feel awkward about.

If you’ve lost your job through no fault of your own, EI provides temporary income support while you look for new work or upgrade skills. Apply as soon as you stop working, don’t wait to receive your Record of Employment.

• Apply online: canada.ca/ei
• Phone: 1-800-206-7218
• In-person help: Service Canada scheduled outreach at 1016 4th Street, Silvermere (typically the second Friday of the month).

EI also has specialized benefits: sickness benefits (if you can't work due to illness), caregiving benefits (for a gravely ill family member), and maternity/parental benefits (see New Parents in Silvermere).

BC Employment & Assistance (income assistance)

If you've exhausted other income sources (EI, WorkSafe BC, CPP, student aid), BC Employment & Assistance may provide monthly support. The program also offers disability assistance for people with ongoing disabilities.

• Apply online: My Self Serve
• Phone: 1-866-866-0800
• Hardship assistance is available for immediate emergencies while your full application is being processed.

Highlands Rent Bank

Run by the Silvermere & District Community Services Society, the Highlands Rent Bank offers interest-free repayable loans for back-rent or utility arrears, to prevent eviction or disconnection.

• Email: rentbank@silvermere.example
• Applicants need a plan to repay (e.g. steady income resuming after a short-term crisis).
• Loans are a bridge, not ongoing support.

Also see the Housing & Tenant Support page for more.

Utility payment support

City of Silvermere water & sewer

If you're behind on City utility bills, contact Financial Services to arrange a payment plan rather than letting arrears accumulate.

• Phone: 250-555-0100
• Email: finance@silvermere.example

Highwater Energy (electricity & gas)

• Highwater Energy Customer Service: 250-555-0190
• Payment plans and Highwater Energy's Customer Crisis Fund may be available; ask about current options.
• Energy Conservation Assistance Program offers free energy upgrades for qualifying low-income households.

Federal benefits worth checking

• Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) , refundable tax credit for low-income workers; up to half available in advance quarterly. Claim on your tax return.
• GST/HST Credit , quarterly tax-free payment for individuals and families with low to modest income.
• Canada Child Benefit (CCB) , tax-free monthly payment for parents of children under 18. See New Parents in Silvermere.
• CPP Disability Benefit , for people who can't work due to severe, prolonged disability.
• Canada Disability Benefit , new federal benefit (phased rollout) for working-age adults with disabilities.

If you're still working but being treated unfairly

• BC Employment Standards Branch for unpaid wages, overtime, termination, or workplace complaints: 1-833-236-3700.
• WorkSafe BC if you've been injured at work or are concerned about safety: 1-888-621-7233.
• BC Human Rights Tribunal if you face discrimination: bchrt.bc.ca.

File a tax return, even if your income is zero

Many benefits (GST Credit, CCB, BC Rent Bank, Canada Workers Benefit, SAFER for seniors) are triggered by your most recent tax filing. If you haven't filed recently, you're leaving money on the table.

• Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) offers free tax preparation for low-income filers. Search CRA's clinic locator for the nearest Silvermere clinic each tax season.

Other local supports

• Silvermere & District Community Services Society , umbrella organization running the Rent Bank, shelter, and many family and individual support programs. Start here if you don't know where to start.
• Cedar Junction Parish Food Bank for nearby residents (Cedar Junction area).
• Silvermere & District Public Library free internet, computers, tax-filing volunteers during tax season, and programs. Library details.