Financial supports for children and youth with support needs

BC Children and Youth Disability Benefit 

The new BC Children and Youth Disability Benefit provides direct funding for children (ages 0 to 19) who have lifelong disability resulting in significant and/or complex needs. 

• Eligibility and funding amounts are based on a child's level of need, not household income:
  • Base tier: $6,500 per year
  • Higher tier: up to $17,000 per year, determined through support planning with a ministry worker or other professional
• Money must be used for disability-related supports that improves a child’s functioning and daily life.
• Families can choose from three payment options, offering flexibility to meet their needs.

Learn more about the Disability Benefit

BC Children and Youth Disability Supplement

The new BC Children and Youth Disability Supplement is a monthly payment to help middle- and low-income families with the cost of raising a child with support needs.

• Families will automatically receive the supplement if they:
  • Are approved for the Canada Disability Tax Credit
  • Meet household income thresholds, and
  • File their tax return each year
• Families can receive up to $6,000 per year per child, depending on household income.
  • Payments are deposited monthly with the Canada Child Benefit.
  • First payments begin July 2027, based on the 2026 tax return.
• Families can decide how to spend the money, allowing more flexibility and autonomy.

Learn about Disability Supplement

At Home Program 

The At Home Program is designed to support children and youth (ages 0-17) with severe disabilities and complex health care needs.

Some benefits under this program will transition to the new BC Children and Youth Disability Benefit starting April 2026.

Medical benefits for equipment and supplies (not changing)

• Families can work with health care providers to access a range of medical equipment, supplies, and nursing support for children who would otherwise need to stay in hospital.
• Access to medical equipment and supplies will remain in place and will not change under the new disability benefit.

School-Aged Extended Therapies (SAET) Benefit (changing)

• All children currently receiving SAET benefits to help with the cost of out-of-school therapies will transition to the new Disability Benefit starting April 2026. A CYSN worker will contact affected families to support their transition.
• New families not yet receiving ministry benefits can work with their health care provider to complete the application.
  • Intake remains open until March 2027.
  • After March 2027, new families will transition to the BC Children and Youth Disability Benefit.

Guide for current service recipients (PDF, 1MB)

Autism Funding

Autism is a spectrum disorder, and children can have very different support needs. One child may be non-verbal and require significant support. While another child may be highly verbal, have above average intelligence, and be mostly independent.

B.C. is moving from the current autism funding model – based solely on diagnosis – to a needs-based system that provides:

• Funding tailored to each child’s functional needs
• Expanded access to free community-based services – available to all families without needing a diagnosis

For families already receiving autism funding

• Some families receiving Autism Funding will transition to the new Disability Benefit starting July 2026. All children will have more access to free community-based services.
• Autism Funding will end April 1, 2027 and be replaced with the Disability Benefit and Disability Supplement.
• All families will be contacted by a ministry worker to support their transition.

For new families

• Autism funding  applications remain open until March 2027. Diagnosis and eligibility processes remain the same.
• After March 2027, families will transition to the new Disability Benefit.

​Guide for current service recipients (PDF, 1MB)

Canada Disability Tax Credit 

The Canada Disability Tax Credit is a federal, non-refundable tax credit that helps families who have a child with a severe or prolonged impairment reduce the amount of income tax they pay.

• Families can apply at any time of year through Canada Revenue Agency (processing can take 10-15 weeks).
• Once approved, claim the credit at tax time.

The Disability Tax Credit is also used to determine eligibility for other support programs – so applying is important:

• BC Child and Youth Disability Supplement
• Canada Child Disability Benefit (under 18)
• Canada Disability Benefit (adults 18-64)
• Registered Disability Savings Plan

Learn about Disability Tax Credit

Other financial supports 

B.C. is helping families ease the pressures of everyday costs.

• BC Family Benefit: Eligible low-and-middle-income families with children under 18 in their care automatically get a monthly payment once they file their income tax returns.
• Child Care: Families with children with support needs may be eligible for an additional child care allowance of up to $150 per month.
• Property Tax Grants: Eligible homeowners who have a child with disabilities in their care can apply to further reduce the amount of property tax you pay each year.
• BC Benefits Connector: Find other ways you can save money on housing, health care, transportation, and energy costs.