Access to personal identification is often taken for granted yet for many people, it represents one of the most significant barriers to health, housing, and social inclusion. You Need ID to Get ID: The Importance of Access to Identification as a Social Determinant of Health reveals how lacking basic identification creates a cascade of challenges that limit access to essential services and deepen existing inequities. Drawing on community-based research and the lived experiences of both individuals in need of ID and the social service workers who support them, this report exposes the systemic and administrative barriers that make obtaining ID an almost impossible task for many.
The findings illustrate that identification is far more than a bureaucratic requirement, it is a gateway to health and well-being. Without it, people are excluded from critical services like banking, housing, medication, and income assistance. This report by the Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria (CSPC) and its program, Greater Victoria Coordinated ID Services (GVCIS), highlights how equitable, trauma-informed, and person-centred ID services can transform lives. Recognizing access to ID as a Social Determinant of Health is a crucial step toward building inclusive systems that ensure every individual can fully participate in society.