FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

BC Student Assistance Program: for those attending post-secondary institutions. Awards are provided to students based on calculated financial need.

Part-time Canada Student Loan Program: loans for part-time students attending post-secondary courses.

Adult Basic Education Student Assistance Program: provides direct funding for basic literacy, academic upgrading, English language training, and prevocational Adult Special Education.

Forgivable Loans for Students with a Disability: This program may provide financial assistance to eligible students with a physical disability working towards their first degree or diploma, to a maximum of $10,000. The level of assistance awarded recognizes the extraordinary costs for these students to pursue post-secondary education.

For all the above, contact the Financial Assistance Office at the institution you wish to attend.

Imasco Scholarship Fund for Students with a Disability: Scholarship valued at $2,000 annually; may be renewed in subsequent years. Available for Canadian institutions only. Application forms may be obtained from:

Scholarship Administration Services Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
350 Albert Street, Suite 600,
Ottawa Ont. K1R 1B1
Phone (613) 563-1236

There are a variety of Scholarships and Bursaries specifically for students with disabilities. Check with either the financial awards or guidance offices of your school, or the BC Paraplegic Association. BCPA offices are listed in the Employment section of the manual.

Health Services Division Ministry of Social Services
Parliament Buildings,
Victoria BC V8V 1X4
Phone 1-800-337-3531

If you are eighteen or over, and unable to work because of your disability, you may be entitled to receive Disability Benefits from the Ministry of Social Services.

This replaces what was formerly called Handicapped Benefits, GAIN for Handicapped, or Handicapped Person's Income Assistance.

Depending on your income, assets and needs, you may receive a monthly food and shelter allowance, medical benefits including equipment, supplies and transportation; and other benefits like homemaker services and low-cost bus passes.

600-808 West Hastings Street,
Vancouver, BC V6C 3L3
Phone 660-4444 or 775-2424

Administers the financial affairs of adults with disabilities who are not able to do so themselves.

101 B-3790 Canada Way,
Burnaby, BC V5G 1G4
Phone 439-9566
 

This organization can help family members establish a personal network for the person with a disability. This network is made up of people who care about the individual, and are willing to monitor aspects of their daily life if and when the parents are unable to. PLAN conducts workshops on building support networks, financial planning, and wills and estates.

It also provides trustee services, financial planning, personal support and advocacy for people with disabilities and their families. There is both a membership fee and a charge for the services offered by PLAN. *

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) will provide forgivable loans of up to $5,000 to make a house accessible for a person with disabilities. The amount that you may not have to repay (forgivable amount) depends on the household income, and is earned over a five-year period providing the person with a disability to continue to live there. Contact your local CMHC office.

Cost of renovating a house to make it accessible for a person with a mobility disability is a deductible expense on your income tax. Up until 1991, this was applicable only if the person with a disability was using a wheelchair. The Canadian Cerebral Palsy Association lobbied successfully to have this changed to include people who have disabilities not necessitating wheelchairs.

Home Owner Grant Administration Branch, Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Housing.
Parliament Buildings, Victoria, BC V8V 1X4
Phone (250) 387-4083 or 356-0555

Provides a reduction in property taxes for persons with disabilities who own their residence.

505 - 1681 Chestnut Street,
Vancouver BC V6J 4M6
Phone 682-6849

Operated by the Ministry of Health to assist BC residents with the purchase of prescription drugs and certain medical supplies. Residents of Long Term Care facilities, and individuals eligible for Disability Benefits, who are permanent residents of BC, are eligible for this benefit. Those eligible for MSS benefits are entitled to full Pharmacare coverage. This includes prescription drugs, ostomy supplies, permanent prosthetic appliances, free of charge to the individual on the basis of need as determined by a MSS worker.

Persons eligible for benefits from MSS receive a specially encoded CareCard. Simply present this card to your pharmacist and prescription drugs and other benefit items will be provided and billed directly to Pharmacare.

In cases of medical necessity, consideration may be given to reimbursement for some non-benefit medications. The prescribing physician should submit a request outlining the exceptional needs of the patient to Pharmacare for prior approval of payment.

Tax Info. Phone Service: 666-1652 or 1-800-663-0739

GST and other refund inquiries: 689-8671 or 1-800-663-1882

Request for forms: 669-0337 or 1-800-663-1665