BC Funding Guide for Children's Therapy
Understanding how to pay for your child's therapy can feel overwhelming. This guide explains government funding, charitable grants and extended health coverage, along with the announced changes to BC's disability funding. Find options to explore, application links and practical next steps.
Funding Programs at a Glance
BC has several programs that may help with therapy costs. Each has its own requirements, amounts and application steps. The table gives a quick overview, and each section that follows explains one program on its own.
Program
What it helps with
Amount
Timing
Autism Funding
Therapy and support for children with an autism diagnosis
Up to $22,000 per year (under 6); up to $6,000 per year (ages 6 to 18)
Announced end: March 31, 2027
At Home Program: School-Aged Extended Therapies
Therapy support for children with severe disabilities
Set by the program
Transition begins April 2026
BC Children and Youth Disability Benefit
Funding based on a child's functional support needs
$6,500 to $17,000 per year
Full intake from April 2027
BC Children and Youth Disability Supplement
Income-tested funding for eligible families
Up to $6,000 per year
Payments scheduled from July 2027
Charitable grants
Help with therapy costs
Varies by organization
Varies by organization
Extended health insurance
Reimbursement for covered sessions
Depends on your plan
Check with your insurer
Amounts shown are published ranges or maximums. Your family's amount depends on the program's eligibility decision.
A family that qualifies for the highest disability benefit amount and the full supplement could receive a combined maximum of up to $23,000 per year. Many families will receive a different amount, because the benefit depends on support needs, and the supplement depends on adjusted family net income.
Respite, At Home Program medical equipment and supplies, and school-based supports remain in place under the announced changes. Diagnosis and assessment continue to matter for planning therapy and for federal programs such as the Disability Tax Credit.
Which Situation Applies to Your Family?
Choose the situation closest to yours. Each one points to the options to read about, the next action, and where to get an official answer.
My child currently receives Autism Funding.
Your current funding continues under the announced schedule until your family's own transition. The government has announced that some existing Autism Funding families begin a review for the new benefit from July 2026, and the ministry contacts families directly when their review begins.
Next action
Keep your approval and invoices organized, and confirm your transition date with the ministry.
Official Answer
The Autism Funding Unit and the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD).
My child receives At Home Program therapy support.
School-Aged Extended Therapies (SAET) is the part of the At Home Program transitioning to the new benefit. Medical equipment, supplies, and other program benefits stay in place.
Next action
Ask your At Home Program contact what your transition involves and whether your family needs to take any steps.
Official Answer
The At Home Program and MCFD.
My child has another disability or complex support needs.
The new benefit looks at the support a child needs in everyday life. Some conditions may follow a direct route into the review, and other children go through a needs-based review. During the first phase, new families are directed through existing support pathways, and intake for new families begins in April 2027.
Next action
Gather your child's current reports and ask MCFD which pathway applies to your child.
Official Answer
MCFD.
My child needs therapy but does not have a diagnosis.
Some families start therapy while they explore funding. Charitable grants, extended health insurance, and Jordan's Principle (for First Nations children) each set their own requirements. For the new benefit, the ministry reviews functional support needs and makes the eligibility decision.
Next action
Gather any assessments you already have and read the requirements for the options in this guide.
Official Answer
Each program's own page and MCFD for the disability benefit.
We have extended health insurance.
Coverage depends on your individual plan. Use the checklist in the Extended Health Insurance section when you call your insurer.
Next action
Bring your benefits booklet to your Aria consultation.
Official Answer
Your insurer.
We need financial help with therapy costs.
Charitable grants such as the CKNW Kids' Fund and Variety BC support some families with therapy costs. First Nations families can also explore Jordan's Principle. Each option has its own eligibility rules, documents, and approval steps.
Next action
Read each organization's requirements before you apply. Variety asks for written approval before you incur expenses.
Official Answer
The organization's website.
Current Autism Funding
If your child currently receives funding, the transition follows a staged schedule set by the government. This section and the next describe each program and how Aria works with families who use them.
Autism Funding helps pay for services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy and behavioural support for children with an autism diagnosis. It is delivered through the Autism Funding Unit (AFU), which sits within MCFD.
Who may qualify: Children with an autism diagnosis.
How eligibility is determined: Families apply, and the ministry reviews the application and the child’s diagnosis.
Funding amount:
- Children under 6: up to $22,000 per year.
- Children ages 6 to 18: up to $6,000 per year.
When it is available: Open to new applicants until the announced end date of March 31, 2027.
Existing families: Funding continues under current terms until the ministry begins your transition review. Some families begin that review from July 2026 under the announced schedule.
Eligible provider rules
For children under 6, providers must be registered with the Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP). Check a provider's registration before you book. For children ages 6 to 18, confirm the provider rules on the official AFU page.
From provider to payment: three separate steps
- Choosing a provider: You select a provider who meets the program’s rules.
- Funding authorization: The ministry approves your funding and confirms what it can pay for.
- Invoicing: The provider bills for sessions delivered under your approval. Ask your provider and the ministry how invoices are submitted and paid for your family.
At Home Program Therapy Support
The At Home Program (AHP) is a provincial program for children with severe disabilities. It has several parts, including medical equipment and supplies, respite, and School-Aged Extended Therapies (SAET).
What is changing: Official guidance identifies SAET as the part transitioning to the new benefit. Medical equipment and supplies remain in place.
Who may qualify:Children with severe disabilities who need extra help at home, as determined by the program.
Funding amount: SAET amounts are set by the program. Confirm yours with your AHP contact.
When:Under the announced schedule, the transition begins in April 2026 for existing SAET recipients.
How existing families transition: The official guidance explains how existing SAET recipients move to the new benefit. Read it through the official link, and ask your AHP contact whether your family needs to complete any steps.
What families ask us first
01 Does Aria accept AHP or AFU funding?
Yes. We work with families using both, and we'll walk through how your existing funding applies to our services.
02 Do you bill directly to AFU or AHP?
Where the program allows it, yes. That can reduce paperwork for your family. Bring your funding details to your consultation, and we'll explain how billing works for your family.
03 Is there a waitlist?
Aria does not run a waitlist for consultations. Once you book a consultation, we move straight into understanding your child's needs.
The New BC Children and Youth Disability Benefit
The BC Children and Youth Disability Benefit is a new provincial benefit from MCFD. It provides funding for therapies and supports based on a child's functional support needs. Functional support needs are the help a child needs in everyday activities, such as communicating, taking part in routines, self-care, or staying safe.
Who may qualify
Children and youth with a disability whose functional support needs meet the program's criteria.
Funding amount
$6,500 to $17,000 per year, depending on the child's level of support need.
When it is available
Under the announced schedule, transition begins April 2026 for existing SAET recipients and July 2026 for some existing Autism Funding families. Full implementation and intake for new families begin in April 2027.
How to apply or transition
The ministry contacts existing families directly when their review begins. During the first phase, new families are directed through existing support pathways.
This is a provincial program: the federal Disability Tax Credit and Child Disability Benefit are separate programs, described in Other Financial Supports for Families
Two ways a child can qualify
The ministry describes two routes into the review.
Direct admit pathway
Some conditions have a well-established pattern of high support needs. For these, the ministry may confirm eligibility with less review.
Needs-based review
Some children have support needs that do not follow a single diagnosis. The review may include a functional assessment completed by a professional, a healthcare provider's confirmation of a prolonged disability and significant adaptive limitations, and a look at medical complexity and daily impact. The funding program confirms which documents it needs.
Technical details (expandable)
the ministry's direct admit criteria. The ministry's published criteria include conditions such as moderate to profound intellectual disability, complex genetic or syndromic conditions with the highest support needs, autism combined with an intellectual disability, degenerative conditions with a predictable course, palliative diagnoses, gross motor function similar to cerebral palsy (Gross Motor Function Classification System, or GMFCS, levels 3 to 5), and severe self-injurious behaviour under specialized clinical care. Check the ministry's page for the full, current criteria.
What clinical reports are for
A clinical report is an accurate account of your child's strengths, needs, and the assistance they require. Clear reports from your child's care team, including a speech-language pathologist (SLP) or an occupational therapist, can help a reviewer understand daily life. Therapy goals reflect your child's actual needs and are set together with your family.
How funding may be managed
The ministry confirms the options available when your family is approved. The options below describe the three management models.
Direct payment
Your family receives the funds, hires providers, and pays them. You control provider choice and scheduling, and your family handles the paperwork and employer responsibilities.
Invoicing
You choose your providers, and they bill the ministry directly. This is closest to how autism funding works today. It suits families who want flexibility without the administrative load.
Agency-coordinated
A pre-approved agency manages funding, billing and scheduling on your behalf. It suits families who prefer a fully hands-off approach.
The New BC Children and Youth Disability Supplement
The BC Children and Youth Disability Supplement is a separate provincial program with its own eligibility rules. It is income-tested, which means the amount depends on adjusted family net income. Adjusted family net income is the income figure the government uses for income-tested benefits, based on tax filing information.
Who may qualify:Eligible families, as set out in the official eligibility information.
Funding amount, July 2027 to June 2028 benefit year:
- Maximum: $6,000 per year, per eligible child.
- The amount reduces by 4% of adjusted family net income above $50,000
- For a family with one eligible child, the Supplement phases out fully at $200,000.
- The phase-out threshold is higher for families with multiple eligible children.
When it is available: Payments are scheduled to start in July 2027. The first benefit year uses 2026 income information.
How to apply: Use the official eligibility information and estimator to see how the Supplement may apply to your family.
This is a provincial program. The federal Disability Tax Credit and Child Disability Benefit are separate programs, described in Other Financial Supports for Families.
The Government's Announced Transition Schedule
This is the government's announced transition schedule. Dates can change, and your family's own transition date may differ from the announced schedule. Confirm dates with the ministry before you plan around them.
When
What happens
April 2026
Transition begins for existing At Home Program School-Aged Extended Therapies (SAET) recipients.
July 2026
Transition begins for some existing Autism Funding families. The ministry contacts families directly when their review begins.
March 31, 2027
Announced end of autism funding. Confirm with the ministry how this date applies to your family's approved services.
April 2027 onward
Full implementation and intake for new families.
July 2027
Supplement payments are scheduled to begin for eligible families.
During the first phase, new families are directed through existing support pathways.
Charitable Grants
Charitable organizations may offer grants for therapy costs. Each has its own eligibility rules, documents, and approval steps, so read the requirements before you apply.
CKNW Kids' Fund (formerly the CKNW Orphans' Fund)
Individual families can apply for a grant. Review the current requirements and the application on the Kids' Fund website, including which costs the fund currently supports.
Jordan's Principle
Jordan's Principle helps First Nations children access health, social and educational supports. Requests may include services such as speech therapy and occupational therapy.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) reviews each request, so approval depends on the child's situation and the documents submitted. Confirm current eligibility, how to submit a request and what documentation is required directly with ISC.
Variety, the Children's Charity of BC
Eligibility: Variety’s published requirements include an income limit of $85,000, residency requirements, and a recognized medical or developmental need. Check Variety’s page for how income is assessed.
Documents: Applications ask for financial information, a referral or justification letter, and a therapy quote.
- The referral letter comes from a professional other than the treatment provider and explains the child’s need for therapy.
- The cost letter or therapy quote comes from the treatment provider and sets out the cost of services.
Written approval: Variety asks families to receive written approval before incurring expenses. Wait for approval before you pay for therapy you plan to submit.
Grant amount: Variety’s main text and its FAQ describe the grant limit differently. Confirm the current maximum with Variety before you plan around any figure.
Extended Health Insurance
Coverage for speech-language pathology and occupational therapy depends on your individual plan. Some plans reimburse sessions with a registered clinician, and some set different rules for services delivered by a supervised therapy assistant. Check your plan wording before you book.
Aria provides receipts and clinician credentials for your claim. Bring your benefits booklet to your consultation, and our team can help you identify the questions to ask your insurer.
Questions to ask your insurer
- Is speech-language pathology or occupational therapy covered?
- What is the annual maximum?
- Is there a per-session limit?
- Is a referral required?
- Are assessments covered?
- Are services delivered by a supervised therapy assistant covered?
- Which provider details must appear on receipts?
Write down the answers and the date of your call.
Other Financial Supports for Families
These supports sit outside the programs above. Some help with current family expenses, and others build savings for the future. Each sets its own eligibility rules.
Support
Type
Helps with
Workplace or private health insurance
Insurance coverage
Therapy session costs, depending on your plan
Child Disability Benefit (federal)
Monthly payment
Current family expenses
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
Savings plan
Long-term financial security
Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
Tax credit
Reducing income tax connects to other supports
Workplace and private health insurance
Some parents have occupational therapy or speech therapy coverage through workplace benefits or a privately purchased policy. Confirm four things with your insurer: dependent coverage, eligible services, annual limits, and referral requirements. Ask your insurer directly whether clinic-based pediatric occupational therapy is covered.
Costco shows how these sources can differ. Costco employees receive benefits through their employer plan. Separately, Costco members can buy Manulife insurance as a private policy. Each source has its own eligible services and limits, and coverage amounts depend on the plan a family holds.
Federal Child Disability Benefit
The Child Disability Benefit is an income-tested, tax-free monthly payment for eligible families with a child under 18 who has Disability Tax Credit (DTC) approval. Income-tested means family income affects the amount.
For the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year, the maximum is 290/month (3,480 per year) per eligible child. Amounts change each benefit year, so check the current figure.
This federal payment is separate from the BC Children and Youth Disability Benefit.
Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
The DTC is a federal tax credit that reduces the income tax a person owes. The Child Disability Benefit is a monthly payment, and the RDSP is a savings plan.
DTC approval connects to several supports, including the federal Child Disability Benefit and the RDSP. Check each program’s official page to see whether it asks for DTC approval. Application processing times vary, so check the Canada Revenue Agency’s current estimate.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
An RDSP is a long-term savings plan that helps families build financial security for a child with a disability. Eligible beneficiaries may receive government matching grants and income-tested bonds. Actual amounts depend on family income and contributions.
- Grant: up to $3,500 per year and $70,000 over a lifetime.
- Bond: up to $1,000 per year and $20,000 over a lifetime, with no personal contribution required.
DTC approval is a key eligibility requirement. Withdrawal rules can require repayment of government contributions. Talk through the details with a participating financial institution before you open a plan or withdraw funds.
What to Do Next
Start by gathering the reports you already have. The funding program will confirm whether additional information or assessments are required.
01
01
Gather your reports
Collect the assessments and clinician reports you already have.
02
02
Find your situation
Read the section that matches your family above.
03
03
Check official eligibility
Use the Check Eligibility buttons to reach each program's own page.
04
04
Confirm your dates
Ask the program or ministry about your family's own transition date.
05
05
Call your insurer
Use the checklist above and note the answers.
06
06
Book a consultation
Talk with our team about how your funding may apply to therapy.
Each program makes its own eligibility decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Will my child's funding change during the transition?
The government has announced a staged transition. Current funding continues under the announced schedule until your family's own transition, and Autism Funding is scheduled to end on March 31, 2027. The ministry sets each family's transition date, so confirm yours with the ministry.
02Do I need a new diagnosis to qualify for the disability benefit?
Eligibility is based on functional support needs. Some conditions may follow a direct route, and other children go through a needs-based review. The ministry decides eligibility, and a diagnosis or a speech delay does not automatically qualify a child.
03What is the federal Disability Tax Credit (DTC), and why does it matter here?
The DTC is a federal tax credit for people with severe, prolonged impairments. It is separate from the provincial benefit and supplement, and it connects to federal supports such as the Child Disability Benefit and the RDSP. Check each program's official page to see whether it asks for DTC approval. Processing times vary, so check the Canada Revenue Agency's current estimate.
04 How much could my family receive?
The BC Children and Youth Disability Benefit ranges from $6,500 to $17,000 a year, depending on the child's support needs. The Supplement is a separate program of up to $6,000 a year, reduced as adjusted family net income rises above $50,000. A combined maximum of up to $23,000 applies to a family that qualifies for the highest benefit amount and the full Supplement.
05Is the Disability Supplement the same as the Child Disability Benefit?
These are different programs. The BC Children and Youth Disability Supplement is provincial and income-tested, with payments scheduled from July 2027. The Child Disability Benefit is a federal monthly payment for eligible families with a child who has DTC approval.
06Can I still use the CKNW Kids' Fund, Variety or extended health benefits under the new system?
Yes. These sources have their own rules and operate separately from the government transition. Some families combine several sources, so check each source's rules about combining funding.
07What should I do right now if I am unsure where my family fits?
Start by gathering the reports you already have. The funding program will confirm whether additional information or assessments are required. Then talk with our team about which options may apply.
Start With a Conversation
Funding questions can feel complicated. Our team can walk through the programs in this guide and how they may apply to your child's therapy. Bring your funding details and any reports you have.
Aria provides in-home therapy across Greater Vancouver and virtual therapy across British Columbia.