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Funding Resources
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.
The Giving in Action Society provides grants to families living in the province of British Columbia through two funds - the Family Independence Fund and the Children and Youth with Special Needs Fund. These grants enable families to stay together by addressing accessibility issues in their home and community and can include a modified vehicle.
- The Children’s Charity of British Columbia is a non-profit charitable organization with a mission to raise funds for the purpose of inspiring hope, enriching lives, and building a better future for BC’s children. A member of the worldwide organization Variety International, the BC tent (office) works year round to improve the quality of life for British Columbia’s children. Since 1965, Variety – The Children’s Charity of BC has raised and disbursed more than $120 million for this very purpose. http://www.variety.bc.ca/about_us.php
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.
Variety Club Children’s Charity
The Children’s Charity of British Columbia is a non-profit charitable organization with a mission to raise funds for the purpose of inspiring hope, enriching lives, and building a better future for BC’s children. A member of the worldwide organization Variety International, the BC (office) works year round to improve the quality of life for British Columbia’s children. Since 1965, Variety – The Children’s Charity of BC has raised and disbursed more than $120 million for this very purpose. http://www.variety.bc.ca/about_us.php
BC Personal Supports Network
What is the BCPSN?
- We're a network of organizations, launched in the fall of 2009, who want to improve access to personal supports for people with disabilities–everything from equipment and assistive devices, to sign-language interpreters and attendants.
- We use a person-centered approach that begins with a person’s goals and offers assistance to find the supports to reach them.
- We are just starting out, but click here to read more about us and our plans for the future.
What can the BCPSN do for me?
Our first project is called EATI–the Equipment and Assistive Technology Initiative. If you're a person with a disability who has employment-related goals (or volunteer goals leading to employment), please read on to learn more and to see if you are eligible for the project.
EATI provides a source of funding for assessment, trialing, purchasing and/or training with equipment and assistive devices that:
- relate directly to your disability needs and
- will help you reach your employment-related goals.
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 Board
Labor Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities
Under the Labor 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 employ-ability, increasing the employment opportunities available to them, and by building on the existing knowledge base.
Government of Canada- Revenue Agency
- GST518 GST/HST Specially Equipped Motor Vehicle Rebate Application
- GST495 Rebate Application for Provincial PART of Harmonized Sales Tax
- XE8 Application for refund of federal excise tax on gasoline
- Information Concerning People With Disabilities
Medical Expenses- payments to adapt a vehicle (that are prescribed by a medical practitioner) used to transport a person with a disability or payments for a device (as prescribed by a medical practitioner) that enables an individual with a mobility impairment to operate a vehicle;
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 Travel Federal Gasoline Tax Refund Program If 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.
1 866 330-3304
TTY: 1 800 665-0354
www.cra.gc.ca/exciseduty \
To get the forms you need, click on www.cra.gc.ca/transportation for People with Physical Disabilities a 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:
- a person with a permanent physical disability who bought the vehicle for their own transportation
- a member of the family or the same-sex partner of a person with a permanent physical disability
- a principal caregiver, if the person with the permanent physical disability does not have a member of the family who is willing and able to provide transportation for that person, or
- a religious, charitable or non-profit organization that purchased the vehicle to transport people with permanent physical disabilities.
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
1-866-522-2022 (French)
or visit their Web site at www.vac-acc.gc.ca
ICBC-Disability Discount
If you are 16 or older, own or lease a vehicle, and are "a person with
disabilities," you may qualify for a 25% discount on your Basic
Auto plan.
Your vehicle must be rated for pleasure use, to and from work, business
use or certain recreational or commercial uses.
You can only apply the Disability Discount to one vehicle.
How to apply for a Disability Discount
Who is a person with disabilities?
A person with disabilities is someone who:
* has suffered loss of a limb is permanently dependent on a
wheelchair
* has suffered complete and permanent functional loss of lower limbs
* has been certified by a medical practitioner [click for
definition] as suffering from a "permanent impairment of movement" such
that the use of public transportation by this person would be hazardous
(whether or not public transportation is available)
* has been certified by a medical practitioner to be suffering from
permanent sight impairment and is not eligible to hold a driver's
licenseunder the Motor Vehicle Act.
* is receiving a 100% disability pension as a result of active
service in any war while a member of Her Majesty's forces
* is receiving, or would receive but for having reached the age of
65, assistance or a supplement under the Employment and Assistance for
Persons with Disabilities Act (EAPWD)
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.
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.
MVAC (Motor Vehicle Accident Claims): If injured in a MVA in Alberta, $45,000 over a clients lifetime. Eligible after Section B benefits are used up. MVAC may cover certain vehicle modifications, but not the purchase of a vehicle.
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
- Claimable as a medical expense, 20% of the cost of a van that has been adapted or is adapted within six months of purchase to transport an individual who uses a wheelchair to a maximum of $5,000, non-refundable tax credit.
- Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living
Funding is available up to $1,670.
Contact (306) 787-7121
- Presidents Choice Children's Charity - provides financial assistance for families in need, in a variety of areas. Please contact them directly for further information.
Email pccharity@ngco.com or call 416-218-7918.