Funding
Investing in mobility equipment – whether it’s a power wheelchair, lift chair, adjustable bed, or scooter – is often a necessity, not a luxury. Fortunately, there are funding programs available across Canada to help offset the cost. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for national grants, provincial assistance programs, veterans’ benefits, workplace injury coverage, or charitable funding.
Below you’ll find a curated list of funding options at both the federal and provincial levels. Each program has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and coverage limits, so we encourage you to review the details carefully. If you have questions about which programs may apply to you, our team is always available to help guide you through the process.
Canadian Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) – Short Term Loan & Customized Community Health Equipment Services
The Canadian Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP), provides health equipment to individuals recovering from illness or injury, and empowers people to live with independence and dignity. Like a prescription, healthcare professionals refer clients to the Canadian Red Cross and health equipment is selected to safely meet the needs of each individual.
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Ceridian Cares
Ceridian Cares continues to consider the following types of Basic Needs and Quality of Life applications, including:
These are examples only. List is not exhaustive. Grants typically range from $200 to $4,000 with a maximum of $5,000.
- Purchase of necessary medical/mobility equipment.
- Home adjustments for barrier free living, such as wheelchair ramps, shower supports, lifts, etc.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada – Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)
In Canada, the IFHP provides limited, temporary coverage of health-care benefits to people in the following groups who aren’t eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance
- resettled refugees
- refugee claimants
- in-Canada protected persons
- certain other groups
Supplemental coverage (similar to the coverage given to social assistance recipients by provincial and territorial governments), including:
- assistive devices, medical supplies and equipment, including
- mobility aids
- incontinence supplies
Indigenous Services Canada – Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) for First Nations and Inuit
Coverage for drugs, dental and vision care, medical supplies and equipment, mental health counselling and medical transportation is available for registered First Nations and recognized Inuit for eligible goods and services obtained in Canada.
Muscular Dystrophy Canada – Equipment Program
Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s Equipment Program has assisted thousands of Canadians to access the equipment needed to enhance their quality of life. By working with other funders and the government, we share resources to best leverage donor dollars to cover the costs of assistive devices, equipment and accessible technology.
The War Amps – Adult Program and War Veterans
The War Amps provides amputees with financial assistance for artificial limbs and information resources that address all aspects of amputation.
Veteran Affairs Canada – Treatment Benefits – Programs of Choice
If you qualify for the Treatment Benefits program, you will receive a VAC healthcare card.
This healthcare card provides coverage for such things as home health or hospital services, nursing services, appointments with specialists (such as physiotherapists, audiologists, and mental health providers), medical equipment, prosthetics, and prescriptions.
The extent of your coverage will depend on a number of factors, including how you qualified, your health needs and your individual circumstances.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Society of British Columbia & Yukon – Equipment Loan Program
Our Equipment Loan Program is designed to help people cope with the daily challenges of decreasing mobility and independence. By obtaining basic and essential assistive devices at no charge, we hope to reduce the financial burden and enhance the quality of life of those living with ALS. This includes mobility equipment, lifts, beds & accessories, bathroom aids, and communication devices.
B.C. Rehab Foundation – Individual Grant Programs
Grant awards are considered by a combination of factors. Approved applications typically demonstrate a severe need, an inability to acquire the needed equipment through other means and applications address areas such as financial need, type of disability and how the equipment requested will improve quality of life.
Canadian Red Cross British Columbia & Yukon – Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) – Basic Short Term Loan Program
The Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) is a community-based service that is made possible through the support of health authorities, donations of used equipment, and the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and professional staff. The Red Cross provides a variety of health equipment loan services across B.C. and Yukon.
Canadian Red Cross British Columbia & Yukon – Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) – Customized Community Health Equipment Services Advanced Short & Long Term Loans
The Red Cross operates several equipment programs tailored to the specific needs of local communities in conjunction with local health authorities. These include:
Advanced Short Term Loans – HELP Plus
The Red Cross partners with five B.C. health authorities to provide short-term loans of advanced equipment such as hospital beds and patient lifts to eligible clients. Delivery and onsite set-up of equipment is also available.
Long Term Loans – Aids to Independent Living Program
Many coping with long-term illness and injury do not have the financial resources required to purchase or rent medical equipment. The Long Term Loans, formerly known as the Aids to Independent Living (AIL) Program loans health equipment to Home Health clients with no other available options.
Cerebral Palsy Association of BC – Equipment Subsidy Program
In keeping with our dedication to help people living with Cerebral Palsy enjoy Life without Limits, Cerebral Palsy Association of BC is pleased to offer financial assistance for the purchase of assistive devices, including positioning aids and home accessibility aids.
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Health Benefits & Pacific Blue Cross Partnership – Medical Supplies & Equipment
Many people need medical supplies and medical equipment for short- or long-term health conditions. These supplies are an important part of supporting your health and wellness.
Health Benefits has partnered with Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) to offer a comprehensive medical supplies and equipment (MS&E) plan to First Nations in BC.
Ministry of Health British Columbia – Home and Community Care Services – BC Palliative Care Benefits Program
End-of-life care is supportive and compassionate care that focuses on comfort,quality of life, respect for personal health care treatment decisions, support for the family, and psychological, cultural and spiritual concerns for dying people and their families. Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illness – whatever the diagnosis. Care can be provided wherever the client is living, whether at home, in hospice, an assisted living residence or a long-term care home.
Ministry of Justice British Columbia – Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division – Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP)
The Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) assists victims, immediate family members and some witnesses in coping with the effects of violent crime. It provides financial benefits to help offset financial losses and assist in recovery.
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation British Columbia – British Columbia Employment and Assistance (BCEA) – Medical Equipment and Devices
The least expensive, appropriate medical equipment and devices may be provided to specific recipients to assist with a medically essential need. There must be no other resources available to the client to provide the medical equipment requested.
MS Canada Quality of Life Program
The Quality of Life Program provides practical assistance to people, helping them access equipment & assistive technology that promotes independence in their daily lives. Assistive devices can be costly, but they make a huge impact on your quality of life. The grant program can provide up to $1,000 per person each calendar year for equipment and assistive technology that can make your life easier. This funding requires meeting the low income cutoff (LICO) set by the program.
Muscular Dystrophy Canada – Equipment Program Western Canada
Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s Equipment Program has assisted thousands of Canadians to access the equipment needed to enhance their quality of life. By working with other funders and the government, we share resources to best leverage donor dollars to cover the costs of assistive devices, equipment and accessible technology.
The Kinsmen Foundation of BC
The Kinsmen Foundation of BC offers direct funding to individuals with disabilities throughout British Columbia, enabling them to lead more independent lives. We also collaborate with other organizations to maximize our impact and reach as many people as possible.
WorkBC Assistive Technology Services
Assistive Technology Services provides equipment and devices to help individuals thrive in the workplace. These services are available to individuals who have a work-related barrier due to a disability or a functional limitation. This may include barriers related to traveling to and from the workplace.