Finances & Living

Learning about eligibility and access to medical, financial, and living services.

Timing and eligibility for adult services

Tips and Links

Talk to your physicians, nurses, social worker, case managers, and community support workers about how services change at 18-19 years of age.
Print off the ON TRAC Transition Timeline for your fridge or desk – start the conversations early.
For youth with special needs, download the BC Ministries Timeline onto your phone, computer, and/or print a copy.
Home care support and services for youth as they transition into adulthood can be provided by the government – some services require a psycho-educational assessment to determine the youth’s needs.
Watch this video introduction to Community Living BC (CLBC), which outlines how to apply for funding.
Does youth have a Child and Youth with Special Needs (CYSN) social worker?
Are you receiving assistance from the Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD) At Home Program? Ask how these services will change at 19 years of age.
Does your youth receive Nursing Support Services?
Ask how these services may change at 19 years of age:

Community Living BC (CLBC)
Community Living BC in multiple languages
Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL)
Person with Disability (PWD) - watch this video on the new process to simplify youth disability assistance.

Start to work through 'Your Future Now - a Transition Planning Guide for Youth with Special Needs.'
Review your Transition Timeline annually.
Ask your Physician or Nurse Practitioner about the referral criteria and application to GF Strong Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) program for transition needs identified by your Parent/Family Checklist.

Activities For Families

ON TRAC Transition Timeline BC Ministries Transition Checklist Your Future Now – A Transition Planning Guide for Youth with Special Needs Child & Youth with Special Needs Support Services Nursing Support Services

Planning and changes in home care services

Tips and Links

If applicable, make a list of the current services your youth is receiving – planning with CYSN case managers (Children and Youth with Special Needs) should begin by 16 years of age.
Find a summary of supports and services for people with disabilities from the BC Government.
In BC, home care funding changes at 18-19 years of age – learn about what is available to youth after transition:

People with Disabilities (PWD): must be 18 years of age (start the application at 16/in the youth's 17th year), help sheet available from Disability Alliance BC.
Community Living BC (CLBC) website, handouts, and videos.
Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL) - download the online workbook.

For an online step by step manual to organize individualized funding programs (including CSIL) check out the Individualized Funding Resource Centre (IFRC).
For concerns about funding eligibility there are advocacy supports in BC for special populations of youth in transition.

Activities For Families

Child & Youth with Special Needs Support Services Persons With Disability Application Guide List of Benefits for Persons with Disabilities CLBC Information for Families: Youth in Transition CLBC Guide to Individualized Funding Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL) Workbook

Financial plans for medications, equipment, and home care

Tips and Links

Make a list of supplies and equipment needed, including where to get them, costs, and who can help pay for them.
If receiving At Home benefits, apply for equipment and service benefits before 18 years of age.
Search a list of services, suppliers, and funds for equipment at bc211.ca.
If youth require equipment and assistant devices for communication and living, learn about available programs:

If your youth is eligible for the People with Disabilities (PWD) benefit, some equipment and supplies are funded.

Activities For Families

Persons With Disability Application Guide CLBC Guide to Individualized Funding Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL) Workbook

Changes in medical and other health care benefits

Tips and links

Make sure your youth is enrolled with the Medical Services Plan of BC (MSP) - enrolment is mandatory for residents of BC. They may be covered as your beneficiary if:

They are under 18 years of age.
They are age 19-24 and a full-time student.

Learn about Fair Pharmacare to help pay for your medications.
Check out this list of who and what Pharmacare covers from the Ministry of Health.
Learn about how Special Authority Medications can be paid for in adulthood.
For First Nations and Inuit youth, look into Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) to see what medications and services can be covered.
Review your medical, dental, and extended health care coverage - to what age, living conditions, and amount will it cover your youth?

Activities for families

Fair PharmaCare Plan Handout

Activities for youth

Medical Insurance - Am I and Will I Be Covered?

Financial planning tools, tax credits, and Persons with Disability (PWD)

Tips and Links

Help youth open a bank account, and apply for a credit card to develop their credit rating. Take a look at these Banking Tips from the Government of Canada.
Learn about the Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) to create a financial plan for the future.
Check out lists of benefits, easy to read worksheets and videos from Disability Alliance BC.
Find out whether your youth’s condition and care warrants a Disability Tax credit.
Watch this video on the Registered Disability Saving Plan, tax credits, and federal grants for people with disabilities.

Activities For Families

PLAN Worksheets to create understanding and build networks BC Ministries Transition Checklist Persons With Disabilities Application Guide Trust Fund for Person with Disability Registered Disability Savings Plan

Guardianship changes and future plans

Tips and Links

Learn about a Representation Agreement to authorize assistance to your youth for health and personal care:

Review a list of Financial Supports for persons with disabilities and special care needs.
There are supports and guidance for end of life planning and preparation. An Advanced Care Planning Kit is available to you.
Download the “My Voice: Planning Guide” developed by the BC Ministry of Health to help with discussions, planning and legal documentation.
Use the My 5 Wishes Tool to discuss personal and medical wishes.

Activities For Families

Your Future Now – A Transition Planning Guide for Youth with Special Needs Persons With Disabilities Application Guide Trusts for People Receiving PWD Benefit Registered Disability Savings Plan

Back to Family Toolkit

Provincial Health Services Authority

Finances & Living

Timing and eligibility for adult services

Tips and Links

Activities For Families

Planning and changes in home care services

Tips and Links

Activities For Families

Financial plans for medications, equipment, and home care

Tips and Links

Activities For Families

Changes in medical and other health care benefits

Tips and links

Activities for families

Activities for youth

Financial planning tools, tax credits, and Persons with Disability (PWD)

Tips and Links

Activities For Families

Guardianship changes and future plans

Tips and Links

Activities For Families

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