More topics

Eligibility and Application for the At Home Program

Last updated on October 8, 2025

Job Action and the At Home Program: What Families Need to Know

At Home Program Medical and Equipment Benefits continue to be available. Processing times will be longer than usual as we adjust to reduced staffing.

The At Home Program:

  • Continues to ensure timely admissions, access to equipment, and provision of supplies for children with complex medical needs. We remain committed to maintaining continuity of support and these requests are addressed with urgency.
  • The Product Distribution Centre (PDC), which provides medical supplies, is operating without delays.
  • Processing of School Age Extended Therapy Benefits are impacted by job action.
  • Messaging on the call line provides families with clear information on how to proceed for urgent and time sensitive matters. 

We understand delays are stressful.
Even small disruptions can be challenging for families. Ministry staff are working to keep services running and minimize delays during this labour action.

Expecting a payment from the ministry by mail? Deliveries will be affected by the Canada Post service disruption as well as BCGEU job action. We are working hard to minimize the delays where possible. More information will be shared as soon as possible.

In the meantime, you are encouraged to set up direct deposit for future payments. Complete the Direct Deposit Application (PDF, 407KB) and bring ID to a ministry office or Service BC location. For more information, contact us toll-free in B.C. at  1-800-663-7867 or email MCFFinanceCASSupport@gov.bc.ca.

 

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

  • 0-17 years of age. Please note Medical Benefits will provide benefits up until the last day of the month a youth turns 18 years of age
  • A resident of British Columbia and enrolled with the 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) by an AHP assessment

Eligibility for the At Home Program may be subject to reassessment.

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

Children with a palliative condition, who have a life expectancy of up to six months as indicated by their physician, or nurse practitioner, are eligible for 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.

Apply for the At Home Program 

Note: There is a different application process to access At Home Program Medical Benefits for families living in pilot areas, including in and around Prince Rupert/Haida Gwaii, Smithers, Terrace and Kelowna. If you live in one of these areas, please follow the At Home Program Medical Benefits application process for pilot areas.  

The application process is as follows: 

Step 1: With help from a doctor or nurse practitioner, complete the At Home Program Application (PDF).  Please note: if the child applying is under 3 years old, additional supporting documentation will be requested to support their application.  

Step 2: Drop off, mail or fax the application to your local At Home Program Regional Office (PDF). 

Step 3: After your application is received, the program will contact you to arrange for an in-home assessment of your child or youth's abilities in four functional activities of daily living (eating, dressing, toileting and washing). The assessment may also include: 

  • Contact with other health care providers about the child or youth’s needs and abilities 
  • Observing the child or youth in another setting 

Parents will receive a copy of the assessment once it is completed. 

Step 4: After the assessment is completed, a regional committee will review the application and assessment and make an eligibility recommendation to the At Home Program. 

Step 5: Parents are sent a letter with the final decision. If the child or youth is eligible for the program, a children and youth with support needs (CYSN) social worker will follow up to discuss the family’s needs and other available services. 

Eligibility Assessment

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

The assessor will meet 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 three out of four functional activities of daily living are eligible for At Home Program 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.

Children and youth who are eligible for At Home Program Medical Benefits may be eligible for other family support services. Please note services may not be available immediately and families may be prioritized for service. 

The local CYSN team may have a range of services that can help support families. Families should discuss the availability of these services with their CYSN Worker.     

For more information:

Complaints & Appeals

If you disagree with an At Home Program decision or feel that you have been treated unfairly, you can make a complaint or appeal.