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604-320-0505 or 310-Kids(5437)

1-800-381-2040

info@variety.bc.ca

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FAQ

Apply for Support

What does Variety not provide support for?

The following are not funded by Variety grants:

  1. Services or equipment not directly related to a child’s complex needs and are not diagnosed as medically/developmentally necessary
  2. No medicines/prescriptions, eye glasses or dental, or medical service  plan premiums or deductibles
  3. Alternative or naturopathic treatments or those not provided in person including neuroplasticity or computer stimulation
  4. Any program/service or equipment that can be or is paid wholly by government
  5. Behavioral Intervention/Consultation
  6. Funding for any services related to autism for children under six years old who receive over $22,000 per year in government funding, with the exception of music therapy
  7. Childcare, respite or related programs/services
  8. Warranties, insurance, maintenance, service agreements, batteries, repairs
  9. Administrative fees or operational costs
  10. Electronic devices, including apps or software
  11. Travel costs
  12. Sports equipment that is non-adaptive
  13. Support for residents outside of B.C. or Yukon
  14. Reports or consultations
  15. Autism assessments for children age 5 and over
  16. More than one autism/psychoeducational assessment per child
  17. Expenses that have already been initiated or have already occurred prior to submission or written approval
  18. Service providers without specific certification or professional credentials to deliver services to clients
  19. Equipment from non-Canadian distributors that cannot be invoiced directly by Variety or services outside Canada

How does Variety help?

Variety provides direct support to low-income families who care for children with disabilities and complex health needs. This support is delivered via grants that are distributed directly to the vendors that provide support. Our support programs include funding for adaptive equipment, specialized therapies, private assessments, mental health supports, as well as tuition and tutoring.

Who can apply for a child grant?

Only families whose child meets all of the following criteria can be considered for an individual grant:
– Children from birth to their 19th birthday. (Note: for autism assessment, the child seeking help must be 4 years or under.)
– A child must be a B.C. resident with a valid Personal Health Number (PHN) or Yukon resident with a valid Health Care Card
– Qualified special need (medical and/or developmental) as confirmed by a designated health care professional. (This does not apply to private autism and psychoeducational assessments or mental wellness requests)
– Financial circumstance that limits the ability to afford the item or service required. (We are currently able to consider requests from households with an annual income of up to $85,000).

What can I apply for?

Our current grant priority areas are:

  • Adaptive & Mobility Equipment (e.g. Power and manual wheel chairs, adaptive trikes, hearing aids, standing walkers, custom orthotics, van conversions)
  • Mental Wellness Counselling
  • Specialized Therapies (e.g. Speech & language, occupational, physical, music, equine & counselling)
  • Tuition & Tutoring Bursaries for Learning Disabilities
  • Private Autism (age 4 and under)
  • Psychoeducational Assessments
  • Type 1 Diabetes support

What if the Government can fund the item I am applying to Variety for?

Where the Government can fund the item requested (partial or full), Variety requests that you apply to the Government for that particular item first. Variety will consider top ups, by providing funding for items that the Government or private healthcare plan will not cover fully. Variety may consider interim funding for services with an extended wait-time. Written confirmation is required confirming any of these situations.

What documents do I need to apply?

All child grant requests require:

  1. Complete, signed application from parent/caregiver
  2. Letter of justification from a designated professional which clearly states: Diagnosis/special need(s) of child; The need for the request; How request will support the overall care plan of the child, except autism/psychoeducational assessments then only an indication of red flag signs supporting need for assessment.
  3. Current Notice of Assessment (NOA) from Revenue Canada for each adult (household) contributor that shows net income or Canada child tax benefit (CCTB) statement that shows net family net income. (T4 slips, T1 summaries or pay stubs will NOT be accepted). If parents are separated and one is still contributing significantly to the child’s needs (but living outside the household), their NOA is also required.
  4. Proof of exhausted or denied government funding, as applicable (e.g. Autism funding and At Home Program)
  5. Additional supporting documents are also required with applications depending on the request. This list will be provided with each application form.

We regret that applications with any missing information or documents will not be considered. If your application is incomplete, you will be advised.

What is the child grant process once an application has been submitted?

1. A member of Variety’s Grants Team will confirm receipt of application.
2. We regret that applications with any missing information or documents will not be considered. If your application is incomplete, you will be advised.
3. Based on the volume of applications received, we endeavor to review applications within 12 weeks of receipt.
4. If approved, the family will receive an approval in writing.

Does Variety choose the therapists or vendors for my child?

Variety asks that the family choose their own therapist or vendor for that which they are applying. A therapy, tutoring plan and quotes are required with each application.

How are payments to vendors or service providers made?

Variety pays all vendors/service providers directly for services or adaptive equipment which has been approved.

Families are only responsible for attending appointments and/or maintaining equipment etc.

Variety will not reimburse for any services or equipment prior to an approval in writing which includes the start (anniversary) and end dates of a grant. Variety can only work with approved Canadian vendors and approved, certified service providers who can be invoiced directly.

How does a student qualify for a tutoring or tuition bursary?

Variety’s tutoring and tuition bursaries are intended to support children with learning disabilities.

Variety uses the Ministry of Education “Q” designation for learning disability to determine if a child qualifies. This is indicated on a child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) or psychoeducational assessment. One of these must be submitted with an application.

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