If you need medical equipment for use at home, such as walkers, wheelchairs, or bed and bath safety items, it is your responsibility to obtain it. Visit our Finding an Equipment Supplier webpage for more information.
Funding may be available from the following funders. Talk to your healthcare provider for further information, or contact them directly.
- First Nations and Inuit Programs
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- The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Health Benefits Program: provides status First Nations people living in BC with a health benefits plan that includes medical supplies and equipment benefits. Visit the FNHA eligibility webpages to find out if you are eligible.
- Non-Insured Health Benefits for First Nations and Inuit: coverage for a range of health benefits that are not covered through other social programs, private insurance plans, or provincial / territorial health insurances.
- BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society: do not provide direct funding; but may be able to identify, develop, and access funding resources.
- CMHC - On-Reserve Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program: home adaptations - prioritized for individuals with disabilities, seniors, low income, and general accessibility modifications, repairs.
- Government (Provincial and Federal) Funders
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- Ministry of Social Development
- Ministry of Children and Family Development At Home Program
- Ministry of Children and Family Development Complex Health Needs Funding
- Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP)
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Interim Federal Health Program
- BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (RAHA) and for CMHC for on-reserve projects
- BC and Federal Tax Rebates for accessibility or aging in place renovations and disability tax credits
- Diagnosis Related Funding
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- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Society of BC: offers an equipment loan program
- Cerebral Palsy Association of BC: offers financial assistance for the purchase of assistive devices
- JGL Foundation: will consider funding assistive technology for individuals with cerebral palsy
- Kidney Foundation of Canada: BC & Yukon Branch: has a Short-Term Financial Assistance Program for clients
- Muscular Dystrophy Canada: can provide funding toward medical equipment for individuals who are registered clients
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada, Quality of Life Program: offers grants for assistive devices and equipment for low-income applicants.
- Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of British Columbia
- Charities, Foundations, and Society Funding
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- Dayforce Cares (formerly Ceridian): provides funding for medical devices, therapies, home adjustments, food, clothing, footwear, household items, and more.
- BC Rehab Foundation: funds equipment for clients that fit within their mandated physical disabilities.
- Can Assist: technology solutions for unique equipment not commercially available.
- Kinsmen Foundation of BC: offers direct funding to individuals with disabilities throughout BC, enabling them to lead more independent lives.
- Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund: provides financial assistance and support to veterans, including Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP, as well as their families
- Norgaard Foundation (South Island only): funds equipment for home safety, mobility, positioning, and activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living, and up to $250 for hearing aids and dentures. For information, contact Dola Dube: Phone: 250-294-6289
- Technology for Independent Living (TIL): provides environmental control systems that assist people with high-level physical disabilities to control devices in their homes and on the go.
- Communication Assistance for Youth and Adults (CAYA): province-wide service program that supports adults aged 19 years and older who require an augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) system due to a severe communication disability.
- BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF): assists hospitality workers facing financial crises due to health conditions.
- Home Adaptations
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- BC Housing
- BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC RAHA)
- Landlord and Tenant RAHA
- CMHC - On-Reserve Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program – home adaptations: prioritized for individuals with disabilities, seniors, low income, and general accessibility modifications, repairs.
- Other Funding Resources
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- Access Assistive Tech: allows you to search for suitable funding programs by geographical location.
- Ability411: resources and information about financial aid for equipment (focused on seniors)
- Canada Revenue Agency: use the search tool for Federal and Provincial Tax credits, including:
- Question to Ask Potential Funders
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- What kind of equipment/accessibility renovations am I eligible for?
- Do I require an assessment letter or prescription by a specific health care professional (Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Registered Nurse, Doctor) for the funding?
- Do I need to complete any specific paperwork?
- Do I need more than one quote? Are there medical equipment vendors, suppliers, or contractors that I must use?