Support for Resource-Limited Families
General province wide financial aid resources
Fair PharmaCare Plan
Description: The Fair PharmaCare plan covers single individuals’ or families’ eligible costs for a number of prescription medications, as well as certain medical supplies and pharmacy services.Citizens of BC who are enrolled in the Medical Services Plan (covered public health insurance plan available to all residents in BC) and have filed an income tax return for the relevant taxation year (that is, two years ago), may be eligible for the Fair PharmaCare Plan, depending on their net income.There are also 7 other PharmaCare plans for certain eligible BC residents, check the website for more details.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions about PharmaCare, customer service representatives are available:• Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm• Saturday 8am to 4pm
(Except statutory holidays) From the Lower Mainland: 604-683-7151 From the rest of BC: 1 800-663-7100 (toll-free) Learn more via their website
1. Use Online Registration
Check eligibility and register: here
OR
2. Call Health Insurance BC
- Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
- Saturday 8am to 4pm
- (Except statutory holidays)
From the Lower Mainland: 604-683-7151
From the rest of BC: 1 800-663-7100 (toll-free)
Child Care – Financial Assistance
Description: A child care allowance is available to help low income families in BC with the cost of child care:
- Families that earn up to $111,000 may quality for funding
- Families may be eligible for full or partial coverage, depending on their circumstances and income
CONTACT INFORMATION
Get more information or request translation services by contacting the Child Care Service Centre: 1 888-338-6622
Learn more via their website
HOW TO REGISTER
Follow the steps on the website
If you are found not eligible for the child care allowance, you may request a reconsideration.
BC Healthy Kids Program
Description: A program that helps low income families with the costs of basic dental care, optical care, and hearing assistance for their children.
The Medical Services Plan offers rates that are affordable for most BC residents. Assistance is available for those who have financial need and cannot afford to pay their premiums. Check the website for more details.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Get more information and see if your children are eligible for financial help by contacting: 1 866-866-0800
Learn more via their website
HOW TO REGISTER
You don’t need to apply. Your children are eligible if:
- Your family has been approved for Medical Service Plan supplementary benefits.
- They are under 19 years of age
Show your child’s CareCard or BC Services Card when you arrive at the dental, optical or audiology office. Ask them to confirm coverage before the appointment. Be sure to ask if there will be any extra charges that are not covered.
BC Early Childhood Tax Benefit
Description: The Early Childhood Tax Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment of up to $55 per month made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising young children under age 6.
Benefits are based on the number of children in the family and the family’s net income.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact the Canada Revenue Agency with your questions about the BC Early Childhood Tax Benefit by calling: 1 800-387-1193 (toll-free within Canada)
Learn more via their website
HOW TO REGISTER
Check if your child is registered for the Canada Child Benefit. If your child is registered, they are automatically registered for the BC Early Childhood Tax Benefit.
If your child is not registered, apply for the Canada Child Benefit: here
To check if your child is already registered, call the contact number above.
Low or no cost food programs in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland
Greater Vancouver Food Bank
Description: The Greater Vancouver Food Bank provides quality food 2 to 3 times a week to individuals and families in BC. The Greater Vancouver Food Bank focuses on quality of food, food access and choice, and building food knowledge. Participant privacy is always respected.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information on how to access the Greater Vancouver Food Bank contact the head office: 604-876-3601.
Learn more via their website
HOW TO REGISTER
You may register at the main Food Bank office at one of the following locations:
- New Westminster
- Burnaby
- Vancouver
- North Vancouver
For other locations please contact the food bank in your city or call or text: 2-1-1
Please bring:
- A piece of government-issued identification (i.e., driver’s license, passport, Care Card, etc.) for each household member
- Proof of address (i.e., rental agreement, utility bill)
Quest Food Exchange
Description: An agency that offers not-for-profit grocery markets, bulk food ordering, and prepaid gift certificates. Quest Food Exchange aims to provide healthy options at affordable prices for those who need it.
CONTACT INFORMATION
To get more information on these programs, call: 604-602-0186
Learn more via their website
Email: info@questoutreach.org
Address: 2020 Dundas Street Vancouver, BC V5L 1J4
HOW TO REGISTER
For individuals to become a client at Quest Food Exchange and access their programs:
- They must be either low-income, have a disability, or be on old-age pension
- Contact their local, partnering Community Resource Partners
Visit bc211.ca for a list of community resource agencies throughout the Lower Mainland.
Have the Community Resource partner fill out a Client Referral Form found on the website
Crabtree Corner
Description: Crabtree Corner supports families in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside with various programs and services. These include hot meal programs, community kitchen programs, an interactive program that teaches healthy eating habits, and much more.
CONTACT INFORMATION
To contact Crabtree Corner, call: 604-216-1650
Learn more via their website
Address: 533 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
HOW TO REGISTER
To register for any of the programs or services listed on the website, please contact Crabtree Corner Community Resource Centre directly: 604-216-1650
CityReach Care Society
Description: An organization that offers a program called Food for Families, which is a service that distributes wholesome and nutritious food to low-income families with children under the age of 18.
CONTACT INFORMATION
To contact the CityReach Care Society about the Food for Families program, call: 604-254-2489
Learn more via their website
Email: submit a form on the website
Address:
- Vancouver location (2650 Slocan Street): Tuesdays from 5:30pm-8pm and Thursdays from 9am-12pm
- Port Coquitlam location (1932 Cameron Ave): 4th Thursday of each month from 3pm-5pm
HOW TO REGISTER
For more information on how to register for the program, you may either:
- Contact Sharon Dong, Food for Family Director at Sharond@cityreach.org
- Visit the website
- Visit one of their locations (Vancouver or Port Coquitlam)
- Call: 604-254-2489
Kiwassa Neighbourhood House
Description: A volunteer-led, non-profit organization that provides a broad range of accessible, free and affordable programs for children, youth, families, seniors, and adults. Programs include breakfast, lunch, and snack programs.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information on what Kiwassa Neighbourhood House offers, call: 604-254-5401 ext 253
Learn more via their website
Email: Food Program Coordinator: food@kiwassa.ca
Address: 2425 Oxford Street Vancouver, BC V5K 1M7
HOW TO REGISTER
- To register for the food programs, call and speak to a program staff member: 604-254-5401 ext 253
OR
- Visit their location: 2425 Oxford Street Vancouver, BC V5K 1M7
Low or no cost food programs in other locations throughout BC
BC Farmers’ Markets Nutrition Coupon Program
Description: A partnership between the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets and the BC Government that is currently operating in 54 communities. Local farmers’ markets work with local organizations to provide priority populations with coupons .
CONTACT INFORMATION
Learn more via their website
Email: nutrition@bcfarmersmarket.org
HOW TO REGISTER
To register as a coupon recipient:
- Find your location on the website
- Contact your local community partner for Program availability, requirements and application information (if applicable) to find out how to host
*Spaces for the coupon program are limited and most organizations are at capacity; however, wait lists may be available.
Food Skills for Families
Description: A program connecting people in the kitchen, teaching hands-on cooking skills and making healthy eating, grocery shopping and cooking easy, quick and fun.
Participation is free, and the program has been adapted to meet the needs of five specific groups: Indigenous, Newcomers to Canada, Punjabi speaking, Seniors, and low income families.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: foodskillsBC@bccdc.ca
Learn more via their website
HOW TO REGISTER
Community organizations offering the Food Skills for Families program register individuals to participate.
If a program is not offered in a location near you, you may contact your local community centre and ask them to contact the Food Skills for Families program to host.
Useful Websites and Resources for Healthy Eating on a Budget
Unlockfood.ca
Incorporates a variety of topics such as, budgeting, how to read nutrition labels while shopping, and much more.
Half Your Plate
Encouraging Canadians to fill half of their plates with fruits and vegetables, provide useful resources on recipes and tips on how to shop smart, waste less produce, and more.
Healthy Eating on a Budget
Various resources, tips and strategies on how to eat healthy while saving money, as well as how to organize your meals and plates to include the most important food groups with MyPlate.
Eat Right
Numerous articles with advice on how to save money while grocery shopping, food safety while grocery shopping, and much more.
National and province wide financial aid programs for access to physical activity resources
Athletics 4 Kids
Description: An organization that provides low-income families who have children between the ages 5 and 18 in BC with financial assistance so that they may participate in organized sport.
CONTACT INFORMATION
To learn more about participating in the program, contact: 604-221-7529
Learn more via their website
Email: info@a4k.ca
Address: 214-901 3rd Street West, North Vancouver, BC V7P 3P9
HOW TO REGISTER
Children who are eligible may apply online: here
What you need:
- Financial Documents
- A sponsor that is familiar with your marital status and financial situation (i.e., teacher, social worker, doctor, dentist)
Jumpstart
Description: Jumpstart is a national charity that helps kids aged 4 to 18 who are in financial need to access organized sports, and connect with their communities.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information about Jumpstart, call: 1-844-YES-PLAY (1-844-937-7529)
Learn more via their website
HOW TO REGISTER
You can check your eligibility on their website: here
KidSport
Description: A national not-for-profit organization that provides financial assistance for registration fees and equipment to kids aged 18 and under, so they can play a season of sport.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: kidsport@sportbc.com
Learn more via their website
Get more contact information by finding your chapter (i.e., location) on the website.
HOW TO REGISTER
Apply from the website: here
- Find your chapter (i.e., location)
- Fill out the application form
Submit the application form to the KidSport chapter in your area
YMCA
Description: YMCA provides financial support to individuals and families in order to help them participate in the variety of programs they offer.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Learn more via their website.
Find your local YMCA location on the website for more information on the programs available in your city.
HOW TO REGISTER
To begin the application process, please call: 604-320-5804
OR
Fill out the financial assistance inquiry form on the website.
Leisure Access Program/Recreation Program
Description: A program that provides BC residents who have low income with access to basic recreation programs and services at Park Board facilities at a reduced cost.
Some cities may have slightly different programs and regulations.
CONTACT INFORMATION
These programs are available throughout the province:
OR
Check your community’s Parks & Recreation website.
HOW TO REGISTER
Ask your local community centre for more details, or visit your city’s website for more information on how to apply for yourself and/or your family.
SportAssist
Description: SportAssist is an organization committed to keeping sport affordable and accessible to youth, and enabling anyone wanting to participate in an organized sport with the means and opportunity to do so.
Funding is provided two ways:
- Directly to youth sport organizations
- By application to individual youth players
CONTACT INFORMATION
Learn more via their website
Email: langfordsportassist@gmail.com
Address: City Centre Park 1089 Langford Parkway Langford, BC V9B 0A5
HOW TO REGISTER
Eligibility for direct funding for a youth is determined by considering:
- If the individual is involved in their community through activities such as volunteering,
- If they do not already participate in any type of sport and,
- If they are in financial need.
To apply, follow the instructions on the website and complete the application form
