Eligibility for the At Home Program

To be eligible for the At Home Program, a child must be:

• 18 years or younger for Respite Benefits; 17 years or younger for Medical Benefits
• A resident of British Columbia
• Enrolled with British Columbia Medical Services Plan
• Living at home with a parent or guardian
• Assessed as dependent in at least three of the four activities of daily living (eating, dressing, toileting and washing)

Eligibility for the At Home Program is reassessed on a regular basis.

Children who receive direct nursing care through Nursing Support Services are eligible for At Home Program Medical Benefits without an eligibility assessment.

Children with a palliative condition, as indicated by the child’s physician, or nurse practitioner, on the At Home Program application form, are eligible for both At Home Program Respite Benefits and Medical Benefits, without an eligibility assessment.

Children or parents who are in receipt of an insurance settlement or court award related to the child’s disability are not eligible for the At Home Program.

Eligibility Assessment

Ministry of Children and Family Development staff review the completed application and arrange for the child to have an assessment, if appropriate.

The assessor meets with the parent and child in their home, to complete an assessment of the child’s abilities in the four functional activities of daily living (eating, dressing, toileting and washing). The assessor may also contact the child’s other health care providers to review the child’s needs and abilities.

The assessor provides the parent with a copy of the completed assessment.

Eligibility Decision

A regional eligibility committee reviews the application and assessment, and makes an eligibility decision. Children who are dependent in all four functional activities of daily living are eligible for both Respite Benefits and Medical Benefits. Children who are dependent in three out of four functional activities of daily living are eligible for a choice of Respite Benefits or Medical Benefits.

The parent receives a letter notifying them of the eligibility decision. If the child is not eligible for the At Home Program, the parent may be referred to other supports and services.