Funding and Social Services

Indigenous Services Canada works with partners to improve access to services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. Its vision is to support and empower Indigenous peoples to independently deliver services and address the socio-economic conditions in their communities. 

Learn about Indigenous Services Canada here.

People who live in B.C. can get help from BC PharmaCare to pay for: 

• Many prescription drugs 
• Some medical devices and supplies 
• Pharmacy services

See the Health Supplements for People with Disabilities Resource above for a help sheet explaining the resources.  

Learn more about PharmaCare for B.C. residents here.

The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) of British Columbia helps people who need support with decisions to protect their money, health and personal rights if they do not have another person in their life to do so and they need support. It also does all of the work that needs to happen when a person dies. 

Visit the Public Guardian and Trustee website here.

If your application for Canada Pension Plan disability benefits (CPP-D) has been denied, you have the right to ask for it to be reviewed again. Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has prepared this self-help guide to help you with the first stage of this process.   

Find the Canada Pension Plan Appeals Self-Help Guide here.

Canada Pension Plan-Disability (CPP-D) is money the government gives to people who worked in Canada and paid the government some of their money for this benefit later in life. It’s for people who no longer work because they have a long-term disability.  

Learn about the Canada Pension Plan Disability on the Disability Alliance website here.

Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has prepared this guide to help you understand how to apply for the Canada Pension Plan disability benefit (CPP-D). The guide reviews the eligibility rules for CPP-D and provides a step-by-step explanation of how to complete the application form. 

Find the Canada Pension Plan Self-Help Application Guide here.

This Guide has been produced by Disability Alliance BC (DABC). It is to help people who have not been approved for the Canadian Pension Plan, have asked for that decision to be reviewed, and still were not approved but would like to try one more step.  

Representatives may also find the Guide helpful if they have individuals with appeals before the Social Security Tribunal. 

Read the Canada Pension Plan Social Security Tribunal Self-Help Guide here.

Disability assistance can help you if you need financial or health support. You must be designated as a Person with Disabilities (PWD) to receive this type of assistance.  

Read about Disability Assistance here.

Many people with disabilities have to spend more money because of their disability. This might be for things like making their home easier to live in, getting equipment like wheelchairs, or paying for support at home. Families and people with disabilities might want to save money to pay for these things now, and in the future, while still being able to get help from disability benefits. 

This book tells you how you can do that, while still being able to keep your disability benefits.

Learn about Disability Assistance and Trusts here.

People with disabilities in British Columbia can get a Persons with Disabilities (PWD) designation. Having this status gives you access to money and programs under B.C.’s Employment and Assistance Program for Persons with Disabilities Act. To get PWD status, you have to apply and meet the eligibility rules. 

Learn more about the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Designation here.

If you are living with a disability in B.C., there are programs and services available to you offered through the provincial government, crown agencies and corporations.  

Please note: Not all of these supports and services are for individuals eligible for CLBC.  

Learn about Supports and Services for People with Disabilities here.

Did you know that the money you receive from the government for your Persons with Disabilities (PWD) benefit changes when you turn 65?  

This fact sheet is for people who receive the Persons with Disabilities benefit and are wondering what will happen to their income when they turn 65. Disability Alliance BC (DABC) outlines the process and the steps to follow to avoid any interruption in your income supports. 

Read the Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement Fact Sheet here.

The Access RDSP program provides free support to help people access the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). There are many ways they can support you, even giving you $150 to start your savings for low-income adults and all children who have RDSPs and live in B.C.  

Learn more about free support to help people access the Registered Disability Savings Plan here.

The Endowment 150 grant offers eligible people with disabilities a one-time grant of $150 to help their Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) grow. 

Learn about Endowment 150 here.

The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a savings plan to help people with disabilities and their families save money to help them in the future.  

If you open an RDSP, you may be able to receive up to $90,000 in savings from the government. This help sheet from the Disability Alliance BC (DABC) tells you all about it.

Read the Registered Disability Savings Plan help sheet here.

The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a savings plan to help people with disabilities and their families save money to help them in the future.  

If you open an RDSP, you may be able to receive up to $90,000 in savings from the government. This website tells you more about it. 

Learn about the Registered Disability Savings Plan here.