Funding Options

Variety offers a wide range of support that families can apply for including adaptive and mobility equipment, mental wellness supports, funding for private assessments, specialized therapies, and tutoring, along with Type 1 Diabetes support. - Speech and language services fall under the “specialized therapies” category, and families can apply for funding for therapy services through this portal. - The current maximum annual amount allowed by Variety funding is $2500.00 - To receive funding, families must meet the below criteria: a) Child seeking help is between birth and their 19th birthday. (Note: for autism assessment, the child seeking help must be 4 years or under.) b) B.C. or Yukon resident for a minimum of three months with a valid Health Care Card. c) Qualified special need (medical/developmental) as recognized by a designated professional. (This does not apply to private autism and psychoeducational assessments or mental wellness requests) d) Financial circumstance that limits the ability to afford the item or service required (Variety is currently able to consider requests from households with an annual income of up to $85,000). - Here is the website for additional information: https://www.variety.bc.ca/support/

CKNW offers financial support for specialized therapies and tutoring. - To qualify for funding, family must demonstrate that they have: a) Children whose needs/circumstances have been assessed and recognized by a medical/health/social/educational professional and for whom an application is supported by a brief statement indicating the problem/condition and recommendations by such assessors. b) Children who don’t qualify for existing services provided by government-sponsored funding, or are on an extensive waiting list, have exhausted other sources of financial assistance, or who do not meet all of the government criteria. c) Children who are financially at risk. - Families are required to provide a formal Revenue Canada Notice of Assessment. - Here is the website for additional information: https://www.cknwkidsfund.com

At Home Program is designed to help children/teenagers with severe disabilities or complex health care needs. It is intended for children who are delayed in multiple areas (at least three out of four areas of delay) of daily living (e.g., eating, dressing, toileting, washing). Children who are palliative, have degenerative conditions, or receive direct nursing care are able to qualify for this program as well. - Families must have a family doctor or pediatrician complete an application to enter the At Home Program. - Once they are accepted into the program, Speech Language Pathologists can apply for funding for therapy services. - If a child/family is accepted into the program, they can receive a maximum of $5760.00 per year for therapies. - Here is the website for additional information: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/child-behaviour-development/support-needs/complex-health-needs/at-home-program/at-home-program-eligibility

Jordan's Principle's goal is to provide Indigenous children with culturally safe services and substantive equality in health care. - A child under the age of majority in their province or territory of residence can access Jordan’s Principle, if they permanently reside in Canada and if the child meets one of the following criteria: a) is registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act b) has one parent or guardian who is registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act c) is recognized by their Nation for the purposes of Jordan’s Principle d) is ordinarily resident on reserve - Funding is available for Health, Social, and Educational Services. - Here is the website for additional information: https://jordansprinciplehubbc.ca/about-jordans-principle/

The Child Disability Benefit is a federal program, allowing families with a child under the age of 18 with impairment to receive tax-free monthly payments. - Families must be eligible for the Canada Child Benefit and the Disability Tax Credit. - Amount provided is based on number of eligible children and net family income. - Here the website for additional information: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/child-disability-benefit.html

Bear Essentials provides financial support for health-related travel and equipment to children on Vancouver Island. - To be eligible for Bear Essentials, applicants must meet all of the following conditions: a) 0 to 19 years old (prenatal up to 20th birthday) b) Live on Vancouver Island or the surrounding islands c) Have a medical condition, health challenge, or disability confirmed by a health care professional d) Require financial support to cover the cost of the item(s) in the application e) Have not exceeded the lifetime Bear Essentials maximum of $12,500 - Here is the website for additional information: https://islandkidsfirst.com/bear-essentials/

TLC Kids Fund provides grants to support children attend youth programs and receive essential services. - In order to qualify for this grant: - Children must be under the age of 18 years - Income verification may be required - Here is the website for additional information: https://www.tlcfund.ca/apply-now