Closed
Source verified July 23, 2026
Disability Assistance (British Columbia)
Supports essential health and transportation costs
Latest source updateLast Update: July 11, 2026Latest change: The content now describes the Medical Transportation supplement, replacing the previous Nutritional Supplements guidance and adding new eligibility, cost coverage, and request instructions.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 11, 2026
Latest change: The content now describes the Medical Transportation supplement, replacing the previous Nutritional Supplements guidance and adding new eligibility, cost coverage, and request instructions.
Medical Transportation supplement updated
The page now presents the Medical Transportation supplement instead of Nutritional Supplements, with a new scope covering extraordinary transportation costs to and from essential medical treatment. It also adds detailed eligibility rules for disability assistance, income assistance in the PPMB category or special care facilities, Medical Services Only, Transitional Health Services, children in family units, and people approved for life-threatening health needs. The updated content also introduces request instructions and contact details, including pre-approval through My Self-Serve, by telephone at 1-866-866-0800, by fax at 1-855-371-8050, by mail, or in person, and lists a phone number of 604-875-2298, fax 604-875-2703, and mailing address 4500 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1. It further explains covered costs such as transportation, gas, meals, accommodation, and escort costs, and states that ongoing supplements may be set up for 12 months at a time for verified, predictable appoin
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Closed
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Who can apply
Applicants and recipients for income assistance, disability assistance, or hardship assistance.
See full eligibility
Overview
British Columbia's Employment and Assistance framework supports eligible recipients with health-related supplements and services under the Employment and Assistance Act and related regulations. It helps cover diet supplements, medical transportation, and dental care, along with extended medical therapies and medical equipment.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- 2SLGBTQI+
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Providing disability assistance or a supplement to or for an eligible family unit
- Providing hardship assistance to or for an eligible family unit that is not eligible for disability assistance
- Providing financial assistance to a person or group that undertakes to provide a service or program that will promote the purposes of the Act
- Establishing or funding employment-related programs and other programs for applicants, recipients, or dependent youths who have difficulty finding or maintaining employment
Documents Needed
- Two pieces of identification for each applicant, including one photo ID and a second piece of ID.
- A social insurance number for all adult family members.
- Written confirmation of the need for a diet supplement from a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, or registered dietitian.
- Written documentation confirming the need for infant formula from a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, registered dietitian, or registered midwife.
- A completed Certification of Authorization to Collect Information Form (HR4019) as an addendum if the applicant cannot attend the office in person.
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Applicants and recipients for income assistance, disability assistance, or hardship assistance.
- Children under 19 may apply for income assistance.
- Children with disabilities who are likely to meet the eligibility criteria when they turn 18 may begin the Persons with Disabilities Designation Application process up to six months before their 18th birthday.
Who is not eligible
- People who are outside British Columbia for more than 30 consecutive days, unless prior authorization is obtained from the ministry.
- Persons receiving another nutrition-related supplement are not eligible for diet supplements.
- Persons receiving Medical Services Only, Transitional Health Services, persons in a special care facility, and persons in Life-Threatening Health Needs cases are not eligible for diet supplements.
Eligible expenses
- Diet supplements, including restricted sodium diet, diabetes, kidney dialysis, high protein diet, gluten-free diet, dysphagia, ketogenic diet, low phenylalanine diet, cystic fibrosis, monthly nutritional supplements, vitamins or minerals, infant formula, and tube feed supplements.
- Extended medical therapies, including acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, and physical therapy.
- Medical transportation costs, including transportation to and from essential medical treatment and transportation to alcohol and drug treatment facilities.
- Medical equipment and devices, including hearing instruments and orthoses.
- Dental and orthodontic services.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- High protein diet supplements for medical conditions not on the approved list.
- Extra billing charges for extended medical therapies.
- Orthoses purchased without prior approval, except in cases of a life-threatening emergency.
Selection criteria
- Applicants who disclose that they are fleeing abuse on the application or during the Stage 1 interview are given critical priority.
How to apply
- Submit documents online through My Self Serve, by fax to 1-866-455-0855, or in person to any ministry or Service B.C. office.
- After completing the PWD Application Form (HR2883), return the form and any supporting documents for submission or submit it on the applicant's behalf by fax to 1-855-771-8785 or by mail to Health Assistance, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, PO Box 9971 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9R5.
- If Section 2 or Section 3 needs to be completed by another health or prescribed professional, contact the applicant to make specific arrangements.
- If the applicant cannot attend the office in person, attach a completed Certification of Authorization to Collect Information Form (HR4019) as an addendum.
Processing and Agreement
- For extended medical therapies, all documentation is forwarded to Health Assistance.
- The recipient is notified of the decision by letter.
- If Health Assistance approves a service, the service provider is notified via Purchase Authorization generated at Health Assistance.
- Therapies funded by Health Assistance must be pre-approved, and the ministry does not reimburse clients.
Additional information
- Request pre-approval for the medical transportation supplement before travel; in exceptional circumstances, additional costs associated with the medical treatment or travel may be requested the same way.
- Recipients of the transportation supplement can switch between cash and an in-kind bus pass, but must notify the ministry before the 5th of the month.
- If assets exceed the PWD limit, the client must be informed of the Trust program and RDSP exemption and referred to the Disability Assistance and Trust booklet and the Trust Query Submission Guidelines.
- A decision to refuse to provide a PWD application may be reconsidered.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Disability Assistance (British Columbia) Program
What is the Disability Assistance (British Columbia)?
British Columbia's Employment and Assistance framework supports eligible recipients with health-related supplements and services under the Employment and Assistance Act and related regulations. It helps cover diet supplements, medical transportation, and dental care, along with extended medical therapies and medical equipment.
Who is eligible for the Disability Assistance (British Columbia) program?
To be eligible for the Disability Assistance (British Columbia) program, you must:
At least one applicant or recipient in the family unit must be ordinarily resident in British Columbia and meet a listed citizenship or residency status.
Applicants and recipients must meet identification requirements, including proof of identity and social insurance number rules.
All adult members of a family unit must complete orientation before Stage 2, unless exempt.
What expenses are eligible under Disability Assistance (British Columbia)?
Providing disability assistance or a supplement to or for an eligible family unit
Providing hardship assistance to or for an eligible family unit that is not eligible for disability assistance
Providing financial assistance to a person or group that undertakes to provide a service or program that will promote the purposes of the Act
Establishing or funding employment-related programs and other programs for applicants, recipients, or dependent youths who have difficulty finding or maintaining employment
Who can I contact for more information about the Disability Assistance (British Columbia)?
You can contact Government of British Columbia (BC) or by phone at 1-866-866-0800.
Where is the Disability Assistance (British Columbia) available?
The Disability Assistance (British Columbia) program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the Disability Assistance (British Columbia) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Disability Assistance (British Columbia) is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Disability Assistance (British Columbia)?
Disability Assistance (British Columbia) is funded by Government of British Columbia (BC)