Home support

Get help at home with everyday tasks and daily routines.

This service may help if you with:

• Personal care like dressing, bathing, or getting ready for bed
• Support taking your medications
• Simple meal preparation
• Managing your daily routines while ill or recovering from illness or surgery
• End-of-life care at home
• Short-term breaks from caregiving (caregiver respite) 

A Community Health Worker will come to your home within a scheduled visiting time to help you with daily tasks.

Help does not include:

• Housecleaning or laundry
• Grocery shopping or errands
• Driving or transportation
• Banking or financial tasks
• Care for pets or other family members

Eligibility depends on your health conditions, how much support you currently have, and what you need help with. Call our Community Access Line, we can assess your situation and let you know what services we can offer. 

To receive our services, you must:

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have a valid temporary resident permit
• Be a resident of British Columbia
• Need care because you cannot manage on your own

Have the following details ready for yourself or the person you’re calling for:

• A valid BC Services Card
• Full name
• Date of birth
• Home address

Call the Community Access Line. We’ll ask a few questions, learn what you need, and connect you with services. 

South Island: 250-388-2273 / 1-888-533-2273  Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Centre Island: 250-739-5749 / 1-877-734-4101  Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
North Island: 250-331-8570 / 1-866-928-4988
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Home Support is a government-subsidized service. The cost is shared between you and the Ministry of Health, and your share is based on your income (and your spouse’s income if applicable). You will need to share your financial information with us so that we can do a financial assessment and determine how much you will pay.

Find out more about home support costs at How fees work.

Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL)

If you are eligible, for Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL), you:

• Receive funding to manage your own home support services
• Hire, schedule, and supervise your own support workers
• Decide who provides your care and when
• Use funds for caregiver wages and basic administrative costs e.g., bookkeeping, hiring

Talk to your Case Manager about whether you are eligible for this service.