Small Business BC is your main point of contact. Please connect with them Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 604-775-5525
Toll Free in B.C.: 1-800-667-2272
TTY (Teletypewriter): 1-800-457-8466

The grant can be used for the following (but not exclusively for):

– Environment: ramps, lighting levels, accessible washrooms, adaptions to vehicles, etc.

– Attitudes: anti-bias training

– Practices: training to review and amend interview processes, ASL interpreting for new staff orientation, accessibility audit of workflow, etc.

– Policies: funding for legal and consulting advice in revising policies.

– Information and Communication: job task checklists in pictorial form, ASL version of policies, application forms accessible to screen readers, reprinting hardcopies of material in large font, Braille versions of documents, update web-pages for accessibility, etc.

– Technologies: purchasing software that enables production of accessible documents, flashing fire alarms for Deaf employees, specialized headsets, tablet for communication, laptop to allow some one to work from home, specialized tools, etc.

Find the full list of eligible covered services by type of barriers addressed here.

Small Business BC does not rank or endorse particular providers over another. Thank you for your understanding.

No. A product or service provider cannot apply for the grant on your behalf. Applicants will be required to provide an attestation and upload documents, so we do not accept third-party applications to protect your privacy and security.

The Workplace Accessibility Grant ran through March 31, 2024 or until the funds are fully allocated, whichever comes first.

The $5,000 includes any applicable taxes. Any amount over $5,000 is to be covered by the business.

Your receipt should include the following:

Date

The date(s) of the proof(s) of payment must not be earlier than April 1, 2021

Description of Products/Services Purchased

The proof of payment should clearly indicate the products/services purchased from the supplier. These listed items should be approved products and services under Workplace Accessibility Grant.

Amount

Total of the products/services on the proof of payment may be greater than $5,000 however; reimbursement will only be for up to $5,000.

Supplier’s Information

The proof of payment should clearly indicate the supplier’s:

1. Business name
2. Business address
3. Business GST – if applicable
4. Business PST – if applicable

Applicant’s Information

The proof of payment should clearly indicate the applicant’s:

1. Business name
2. Business address. (must be based in BC)

Payment

The receipt must show a method of payment. Some forms of payment include:

• Credit Card – should show the last four digits of the credit card number on the processed payment transaction slip – XXXXXXXXXXXX1234
• Cheque – applicant must include pictures of the front and back of the bank processed cheque
• EFT Transfer – clear indication that transfer amount, date, and the sender/receiver information match the proof of payment submitted. You will need to submit your Interac e-Transfer confirmation information page from your financial institution
• Amazon.ca – if any of your receipts are from a purchase made with Amazon.ca, you are required to submit a particular proof of payment
• Cash – receipts paid by cash are NOT an accepted payment method for this grant as verification of the payment cannot be substantiated. Also, no handwritten receipts will be accepted.

Please see examples for acceptable receipts:

• General Retail
• Amazon
• Canceled Cheque
• EFT

Once the receipts have been received, our team will review the full Grant Application and follow up if there are any discrepancies.

Unfortunately we will not be processing applications for purchases made before this cut-off date.

No, however, verification of your submitted application will be completed before payment. Ensure your supplier can provide an appropriate required receipt and proof of payment as required.

Unfortunately, Small Business BC does not provide a list of service providers for this grant as we cannot endorse one provider over another.

Register for the grant here.

A BC Business Registration number is not your federal tax identification. BC Business Registration Numbers will most often begin with the letters BC, FM, CP, XCP, LP, LL, LLC, A, C or S followed by 7 numerical digits (eg. FM1234567).

To verify if you have a valid BC Business Registration Number, please utilize OrgBook and search for your organization. OrgBook BC is a searchable public directory of open verifiable data about organizations legally registered in BC. Your business will need to operate in BC and have a valid BC Business registration number for the grant to be paid out.

No, grants will not be provided on items/services that have not yet been purchased. This is a reimbursement grant. For final payment, a receipt will be required for the good/service. In addition, verification that your business legally conducts business in BC via verified BC Business Registration number will be required.

If you have details regarding your project, but you have not paid for it yet, you can save your application and submit the receipt once it is available.

Within the application form, you will have the opportunity to upload an image or .pdf of your receipt. If you do not have a receipt (i.e. you have not made the purchase yet), you can save and return your application at a different time.

We process your payment through electronic funds transfer (EFT) via SparcPay, a division of Sparcblock. In order to finalize your payment, we require electronic funds transfer (EFT) details of the business bank account associated with your business in your BC registered business name that you applied for the grant under. You will be required to upload a photo (.jpg) or electronic .pdf form of a void cheque or a bank form from your financial institution that matches the business details that you previously submitted. Funds will not be deposited to personal bank accounts of individuals.

NOTE: If you are already registered in SparcPay and have received funds from Small Business BC electronically (through previous grant programs or other), you do not have to register a new account.

Small Business BC will use the banking information provided by each business to electronically transfer funds within 45 business days from submission and approval of invoice based on business volumes. In order to deposit your payment, ensure that you have registered for EFT with a SparcPay account.

Find more information about Accessibility Legislation in BC at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/about-the-bc-government/accessibility/legislation