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We often get asked whether or not there is funding available to help offset the costs of these expensive vans. Or how to apply for the 'disabled parking permits', tax rebates, etc. Here are some Canadian sources for information and forms. If you find others, please let us know. President's Choice Children's Charity The President's Choice Children's Charity is dedicated to helping children who are physically or developmentally challenged. Families who have children born with disabilities like Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, to name a few, come to them for help. They provide direct financial assistance in the purchase of mobility equipment, environmental modifications, physical therapy and more. Muscular Dystrophy Canada Equipment Loan Program The Muscular Dystrophy Canada equipment loan program provides basic medical equipment, on loan, from a stock of recycled devices such as scooters, manual and electric wheelchairs, and hospital beds. Some funding assistance may be available for the purchase of new equipment. If a request is made for a device that the Association does not cover, or only partially covers, Muscular Dystrophy Canada staff may be able to suggest other sources of funding. For more information about equipment funding, call the regional office nearest you. Government of Canada- Treasury BoardLabour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities Under the Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities, the Government of Canada contributes funding to provincial programs and services to improve the employment situation of Canadians with disabilities by enhancing their employability, increasing the employment opportunities available to them, and by building on the existing knowledge base. Government of Canada- Revenue Agency
20% of payments for a van that has been previously adapted, or is adapted upon purchase or within six months of the date of purchase (minus the cost of adapting the van as prescribed by a medical practitioner) to transport an individual who needs the use of a wheelchair, to a limit of $5,000 Canadian Federal Income tax Guide to Government of Canada Services for People with Disabilities Transportation and TravelFederal Gasoline Tax Refund ProgramIf you can't safely use public transportation because of a permanent disability, you can apply for a partial refund of the federal excise tax on gasoline you purchase. You must have a medical certificate confirming your disability. To get the forms you need, click on www.cra.gc.ca/formsTransportation for People with Physical DisabilitiesA refund of Retail Sales Tax (RST) that you have paid is available on certain new or used licensed motor vehicles purchased or leased on a long-term basis (12 months or longer) for the purpose of transporting a person with a permanent physical disability. At the time the motor vehicle is bought and a refund application filed, the purchaser must be:
Veterans Affairs of Canada Various funding on vehicle purchase and modification, case by case basis. For more information on the Veterans Independence Program and how to apply, please call: 1-866-522-2122 (English) or British Columbia
The Community Living Restructuring Fund in BC is no longer available. Please be advised that the Vancouver Foundation c/o the Giving In Action Society administrates 2 new funds for families with children/relatives with disabilities. For more information please go to our website at www.vancouverfoundation.bc.ca/GrantInformation/FIF/DisabilitySupport.shtml Alberta In Alberta, the following are available: WCB: For a quadriplegic who cannot transfer independently, WCB will pay for both, the cost of the van plus the modifications. For paras or quads who can transfer independently, only the modification costs are covered. Litigation: A client who hires a lawyer, pursues litigation, receives a settlement, vehicle modification costs would have been part of the cost of care report. The client would pay for the vehicle & modifications out of the settlement dollars. Section B Benefits: If injured in a MOA, $50,000 from ones vehicle insurance company. Depending on the insurance company and the adjuster, some or all vehicle modifications may be covered. The cost of a vehicle would not be covered. DRES (Disability Related Employment Supports): This is a provincial government program that has provided vehicle modification for persons with disabilities who are employed and their job requires they travel outside of where accessible public transportation goes. Some staff at CPA have accessed this funding. Website: http://employment.alberta.ca/cps/rde/xchg/hre/hs.xsl/3159.html Not for Profit Organizations: Places like Easter Seals Ability Society, Children's Ability Fund, Lions, Kinsmen, Rotary, etc. may contribute dollars towards vehicle modifications. Some agencies only cover items that can be taken out and recycled to someone else (i.e. hand controls, lift, 6 way power seat).
The purchaser may also be eligible for a refund of the RST paid on certain modifications made to the motor vehicle. These modifications must be made only to assist a person with a permanent physical disability. For example, RST paid on modifications made to a motor vehicle in order to accommodate a wheelchair, such as raising the roof, lowering the floor, or installing special doors to accommodate a wheelchair lift, is refundable. Exempt Items for People with Physical Disabilities Some household appliances, mobility aids, communications equipment, protective and pain-relieving devices, and other items may qualify for an exemption from Retail Sales Tax (RST) if solely designed for physically disabled persons. The Retail Sales Tax Act also provides a specific exemption from RST for hearing aids, optical appliances, orthopaedic appliances and prosthetic appliances or equipment. These items are not required to be designed solely for people who are physically disabled.Canadian Federal Income tax
Saskatchewan
Ontario
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Pince Edward Island
Parking for People with Disabilities — It’s a necessity!
In 1984, SPARC BC convinced the provincial government that disabled parking was not an option, but a guaranteed necessity. Today, we issue parking permits on a province-wide basis. More than 84,000 people in wheelchairs, scooters, crutches, and walkers arrive safely at their destination with the help of designated parking zones. For more information please visit, http://www.sparc.bc.ca/parking_permit Phone: (604) 718-7744 |
