411 Community Resource Guide
It is important that our members and their loved ones have access to critical and trustworthy information, resources and services within B.C. To this end, we have compiled a list of practical resources and information that the wider community may find helpful. Please note these resources are for information purposes only and we do not specifically endorse any of the services or companies listed.
Emergency and Non-Emergency
| Police, Fire, Ambulance | 911 |
| Crisis/Suicide Line | 604-872-3311 |
| Gas Leak | 1-800-663-9911 |
| Poison Control | 604-682-2050 |
| Power Outage | 1-888-769-3766 |
| Seniors Distress Line | 604-872-1234 |
| Non-Emergeny Police | 604-717-3321 |
| RCMP | 604-646-9999 |
| Crime Stoppers | 604-563-0808 |
| Seniors Advocacy and Info (SAIL) | 604-437-1940 |
Information and Referral
| BC 211 Information & Referral Line Maintains an online database of provincial, federal and non-profit service providers and available programs, services and supports. Operates a 24-hour Information and Referral service that is accessible via telephone, text, email or online chat. Maintains listings of homeless shelters and bed availability. Information and referral and shelter listings cover all of BC. |
Phone: 211 Text: 211 Email: help@bc211.ca Website: bc211.ca |
| BC Seniors Advocate
Monitors and investigates issues and problems impacting BC seniors. Advocates on behalf of BC seniors. Operates an Information and Referral line from 8:30-4:30 Monday to Friday. Enquiries received outside of business hours are handled by the 211 Information and Referral Line. |
Phone: 1 (877) 952-3181
Website: seniorsadvocatebc.ca |
| BC Seniors Guide
Available in both hardcopy and digital formats, the BC Seniors Guide is a comprehensive resource for information about supports and services vital to seniors. The guide includes information on provincial and federal programs, with sections on benefits, health supports and services, housing, residential care and transportation etc. The guide is available in a number of languages. Hardcopies of the guide can be obtained by contacting the BC Seniors Advocate. |
View Website
Order a hardcopy: |
| Seniors First BC & the Seniors Abuse Information Line (SAIL)
Seniors First BC is dedicated to providing justice and empowerment to seniors by providing information and legal services to seniors. Operates a Seniors Abuse Information Line (8am-8pm weekdays, 10am-5:30pm on weekends). Operates pro bono legal clinics in Vancouver and Richmond. |
SAIL: (604) 437-1940
SAIL Toll Free: Email: Website: |
| Ask an Advocate
Maintains and online database and offers information and referral services about welfare and provincial Persons with Disabilities benefits, residential tenancy, housing, and other income supports, such as CPP/OAS/GIS, CPP-Disability and Employment Insurance. Website has a live chat feature that operates from 9am-4pm Monday-Friday (live chat closes for lunch from 12-1pm). |
Website: askanadvocate.ca |
| Povnet
Maintains an online directory of legal advocacy services available throughout BC and across Canada. |
Website: povnet.org |
| Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC
The Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC is the umbrella organization representing neighbourhood houses in British Columbia. Their website maintains listings for neighbourhood houses as well as the various services and programs offered by neighbourhood houses throughout BC. Many neighbourhood houses offer seniors services and operate seniors centres as a facet of their programs and services. |
Phone: (604) 875-9111
Email: Website: https://anhbc.org/ |
| Jewish Seniors Alliance
Connects seniors with supports and services available in the Jewish community as well as at large. Their website provides a comprehensive resource of supports and services for seniors throughout BC. Offers information and referral and peer support services, as well as other opportunities for volunteer engagement. |
Website: jsalliance.org Email: office@jsalliance.org Peer Support Services: (604) 267-1555 |
| South Granville Seniors Centre
Provides a variety of programs, services and activities to enhance the quality of life of seniors residing in the South Granville area. |
Phone: (604) 732-0812 |
| Vancouver Second Mile Society
Operates a seniors drop-in centre in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) as well as outreach services in the DTES and Downtown South neighbourhoods of Vancouver. Services include affordable meals, information and referral, social and recreational activities and workshops designed to meet the needs of low-income seniors living in the Downtown Eastside and Downtown South neighbourhoods of Vancouver. Services are provided in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. |
Phone: (604) 254-2194
Email: Website: http://vsms.ca/ |
| West End Seniors Network
The West End Seniors Network is a network of senior centres located in Vancouver’s West End. The Network operates out of Barclay Manor, at 1447 Barclay Street as well as out of the Denman Place Mall, (1030 Denman Street) where Kay’s Place and the Clothes and Collectibles Thrift Boutique are located. The network provides seniors with a wide array of supports and services, such as Better at Home, information and referral, housing navigation, a pro bono legal clinic and peer support services, as well as recreation and volunteer engagement opportunities. |
Website: wesn.ca
Email: Barclay Manor: (604) 609-5051 Kay’s Place: (604) 669-7339 |
Housing, Homelessness & Residential Tenancy Matters
| BC Housing BC Housing is the provincial body that administers and operates subsidized and supportive housing developments, and related housing programs and supports in British Columbia. Offers homeless Outreach and prevention services, administers the SAFER Program (Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters) which provides rent subsidies for eligible, low-income seniors aged 60 and older. Manages a registry of subsidized housing operated by BC Housing and other, non-profit, housing providers in BC. |
Phone: 604-433-2218 Toll-free: 1-800-257-7756 Fax: 604-439-4729 Website: bchousing.org |
| Senior Services Society and SHINE (Seniors Housing Information Network) Provides a variety of services to assist seniors; particularly those seniors who are experiencing a housing crisis. Services include, homelessness prevention and outreach, temporary/transitional housing, navigation of BC Housing and non-profit housing resources and services, interest-free loan program, Better at Home, Meals on Wheels and various recreation programs. | Phone: (604) 520-6621 Email Us View Website |
| BC 211 Provides a 24-hour Information and referral service. Maintains listings of homeless shelters across BC and provides updates re: shelter bed availability. |
Phone: 211 Text: 211 Email: help@bc211.ca Website: bc211.ca |
| Residential Tenancy Branch The Residential Tenancy Branch oversees the administration of residential tenancy law in British Columbia. It also administers the dispute resolution process for residential tenancy disputes between landlords and tenants. The website contains a wealth of information regarding residential tenancy law and dispute resolution procedures; including rules and procedures governing evictions and rent increases. |
Phone: (604) 660-1020 (Lower Mainland), (250) 387-1602 (Victoria) Toll Free: 1 (800) 665-8779 Email: hsrto@gov.bc.ca View Website |
| Tenants Resource and Advocacy Centre (TRAC) Provides legal information, workshops, representation and advocacy on residential tenancy matters in BC. Operates a tenant information line and provides online training and workshops on residential tenancy law in BC. |
Tenant Information Line: (604) 255-0546 Toll Free: 1 (800) 665-1185 Website: tenants.bc.ca |
Food Resources
| Greater Vancouver Food Bank Serves residents of Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster. For information about eligibility, registration, depot locations, as well as days and hours of operation, please contact the GVRD Food Bank. |
Phone: (604) 876-3601 Email: reception@foodbank.ca Website: foodbank.bc.ca |
| Food Banks BC Food Banks BC is an umbrella organization representing 105 hunger relief agencies throughout BC. A list of food banks throughout BC is available on its website. |
Phone: (604) 498-1798 Toll-Free: 1 (855) 498-1798 Fax: (604) 498-1795 Email: info@foodbanksbc.com Website: foodbanksbc.com |
| Quest Food Exchange Collects donations of surplus food from food processors, food distributors, food retailers and farmers and redistributes donated food to low-income people via low-cost grocery stores in Vancouver, Burnaby/New Westminster, Surrey and North Vancouver.Shoppers require a referral from a provincial government or non-profit social service agency or from a health care or social service worker. Food bank clients and people in receipt of income assistance benefits are eligible to shop at Quest upon presentation of proof of receipt of Income assistance benefits, or food bank registration. |
Phone: (604) 602-0186 Email: info@questoutreach.org Website: questoutreach.org |
Health
| Medical Services Plan | Phone (Lower Mainland): 604 683-7151 Phone (Elsewhere in B.C.): 1 800 663-7100 View Website |
| Fair Pharmacare Fair PharmaCare helps B.C. families and individuals pay for eligible prescription drugs, dispensing fees and some medical supplies. The plan is based on income: the less a family/person earns, the more help they get. |
Phone (Lower Mainland): (604) 683-7151 Phone (Elsewhere in B.C.): 1 (800) 663-7100 (toll-free) View Website |
In-Home Support
| Better at Home Better at Home is a program funded through the United Way of BC that helps seniors with simple non-medical, day-to-day tasks so that they can continue to live independently in their own homes and remain connected to their communities.If you’re a senior living in a community which offers Better at Home, you can contact BC211 by dialing 211 or the community agency in your area to find out more and to apply for services. A program coordinator will work with you to help determine which services will suit you best.The 411 Seniors Centre is not a Better at Home service provider. |
View Website Call: BC 211 (dial 211) |
| Free and Low-Cost Resources in Vancouver The City of Vancouver maintains listings of free and low-cost resources, including food resources, available in Vancouver. |
Phone: 311 (Dial 311) View Website |
Federal, Provincial & Municipal Programs, Supports and Services
| Federal Pension Benefits Federal pension benefits consist of Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement and disability benefits, Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and the GIS Allowance, The Allowance for the Survivor and the Survivor’s Pension. You can access federal pension information, as well as apply for benefits online, or via telephone. Service Canada staff are authorized to certify photocopies of original documents. |
Website: www.canada.ca Phone: 1 (800) 277-1940 eService Canada Service Request In Person Services: Visit your local Service Canada Office Monday – Friday, 8:30-4pm. Find a Service Canada Office HERE or call 1 (800) 277-1940 |
| Income Taxes (Canada Revenue Agency) Canada Revenue Agency is responsible for the administration of Canada’s personal and corporate income tax systems. They also administer tax benefits such as the GST Credit and the Disability Tax Credit. When contacting CRA please ensure that you have your Social Insurance Number and your most recent Income Tax Assessment at hand, as the representative will ask you questions about your most recent tax filing in order to verify your identity. |
View Website Phone: 1 (800) 959-8281 Automated Phone Services: Order Income Tax Forms: 1 (855) 330-3305 Check Your CRA Balance: 1 (866) 474-8272 Check the Status of Your Refund: 1 (800) 959-1956 Obtain Proof of Income, GST Benefit Amounts or RRSP & TFSA Contribution Limits: 1 (800) 267-6999 CRA Benefits & Credits, Update CRA Account Info, Notify CRA of a Taxpayer’s Death: 1 (800) 387-1193 |
| Service BC – (British Columbia Government Departments, Benefits and Services) Connect with Provincial government, offices and agencies regarding provincial government programs, benefits, services and other matters through the Enquiry BC Line (Mon-Fri, 7:30am-5pm). The Service BC Website also provides listings for Service BC offices located throughout rural British Columbia, for those who need or prefer, face-to-face service provision. In-person services are available at Service BC Offices from 9am-4:30-pm. Service BC offices close for lunch from noon-1pm. Service BC staff are also certified Commissioners of Oaths. |
View Website Enquiry BC Line: Calling from Vancouver or outside of BC: (604) 660-2421 Calling from Victoria: (250) 387-6121 Calling from throughout BC: 1 (800) 663-7867 Video Relay Service for People who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Speech Impaired: 1 (800) 663-7867 Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD): 711 (number works throughout BC) |
| BC Seniors Advocate Monitors and investigates issues and problems impacting BC seniors. Advocates on behalf of BC seniors. Operates an Information and Referral line from 8:30-4:30 Monday to Friday. Enquiries received outside of business hours are handled by the 211 Information and Referral Line. |
Phone: 1 (877) 952-3181 Website: seniorsadvocatebc.ca |
| BC Ombudsperson The Office of the BC Ombudsperson is an independent government agency that assists British Columbians with issues and complaints about BC Government programs and services. The Office of the Ombudsperson investigates complaints of unfairness in regards to government programs, services and procedures and leads investigations into allegations of government wrongdoing. |
Website: bcombudsperson.ca
Phone: |
| City of Vancouver Get information about city by-laws and services, connect with a municipal department, pay you property taxes, alert the City of to local issues or problem such as graffiti, noise, illegal dumping, etc. |
Website: www.vancouver.ca (Live chat available 9am-4pm) Phone: 311 (Phone lines are open 7am-10pm, language interpretation services provided) Contact City Council HERE Contact the Parks Board HERE |
COVID-19 Resources
Following consultation with 411 Seniors and with the aim of supporting older adults and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the STAR (Science and Technology for Aging Research) Institute at Simon Fraser University compiled practical technology resources and information that the wider community may find helpful. These range from simple guides for using technology to services that can help with daily living.