BC Self Employment Program (SEP) for PWD: How Much Can You Really Earn
If you are in British Columbia and receiving disability assistance, you might have heard of the Self Employment Program (SEP). It is designed to help people with a PWD designation start and run a small business while keeping support through the provincial government.
I want to be honest. The earnings limit is very low, and in my experience, it is not high enough to make self-employment fully sustainable. You can earn a little extra, but if the amount you make is too low, it might not be worth doing. SEP works best for people who want to supplement their income and test ideas, not replace their full support.
Who Can Apply for SEP
SEP is for BC residents who:
Have a Persons with Disabilities (PWD) designation
Are running a sole proprietorship (incorporated businesses generally cannot participate)
Are receiving income assistance through the BC provincial government
You also need to contact your worker first to set it up. They will go over your business and suggest how much you should aim to make. If your business income is too low, it might not be worth participating.
How SEP Works
The SEP lets you deduct business expenses and exempt some income when your monthly support is calculated. Writing off expenses helps your earnings reach the program’s cap more slowly, which can allow you to keep benefits longer.
Here is what the process looks like:
Contact your worker to set up SEP
Complete the additional forms through MySelfServe, including monthly income and expense reports
Track all business income and keep all receipts for any purchases. Receipts are critical. Without them, expenses cannot be claimed and your support could be reduced
Submit a business plan or overview if required
Even with deductions, your earnings are capped. You could still be cut off from disability if your net income goes over the limit, but the Annual Earnings Exemption (AEE) resets each year, giving you another chance to participate.
Why Keeping Receipts Is Essential
If you are on SEP, keeping receipts is not optional. Every business expense must be documented. The provincial government can check your reports, and without receipts, you could lose deductions or even your SEP status.
Organizing receipts from the start protects your support and helps you track exactly how your business is performing. If you want SEP to work for you, get a reliable system for receipts immediately.
Why SEP Can Still Be Useful
Even with low limits SEP can be helpful:
You can test a business idea without risking all your support
Writing off expenses allows you to reach your earnings cap more slowly
It allows part-time or seasonal businesses to exist while keeping benefits
If you are cut off, your AEE resets next year, giving you another chance
It is important to understand the limits. SEP does not replace a living wage, and for most people it is a small step toward independence, not a full solution.
Getting Started with SEP
Contact your worker to set up SEP and discuss what your business should aim to earn
Complete MySelfServe forms, including monthly earnings and expenses
Submit a business plan or overview if needed
Keep up with monthly reporting and receipts
The program is designed to support people with disabilities who want to try self-employment. The low earnings cap makes it mostly a tool to supplement income and test ideas, but it can be a meaningful first step toward independence.
Final Thoughts
The Self Employment Program gives you a chance to run a business while keeping support through your PWD designation. The earnings limit is too low in my opinion, and if your income is too low it may not be worth doing. Writing off your expenses helps you reach the cap more slowly, and if you are cut off, your AEE resets the next year. SEP can be a useful step toward self-employment if you know what to expect and keep all your receipts and track all expenses.
More information can be found on the BC Government Website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/eppe/self-employment-program-sep-for-ppmb-and-pwd
