Variety provides financial assistance for children who have special needs, with the costs of a wide range of equipment, therapies, educational, social and recreational programs.
Some types of equipment Variety may fund includes: mobility or functional devices including orthotics, wheelchairs, walkers, standers, orthotics, customized seating, assistive or technical devices, Cochlear implants/processors and hearing aids, prescription eyewear, residential lifts or vehicle lifts and tie downs, customized bikes, safety items, feeding, insulin and other medicinal pumps and supplies or other special products.
Variety does not provide grants for home renovations/upgrades, nor to purchase vehicles or structural changes to vehicles.
• Children from birth to their 19th birthday • BC resident for a minimum 3 months • Qualified ‘Special need’ (Medical, physical, developmental, cognitive, social, psychiatric, emotional) as recognized by a designated professional, and where the family is unable to financially afford the Item, service or therapy required.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
• Variety's grant year is October 1st to September 30th.
• Speech and language requests should be received no later than September 30th of the proceeding year.
• All other therapy programs will be considered year round based on available funding.
• All other requests (i.e.: equipment, medical supplies, prescriptions, etc) are reviewed monthly. • Funding for ‘Summer’ therapy or activity programs is based on available funding at the time of application.
Please review guidelines thoroughly prior to completing and submitting your application.
YOUR APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE
Incomplete applications including missing documents will be returned, causing a delay in our decision making. Please ensure you have included the following:
• Recent PHOTO of your child • Letter of justification from a referring professional • Quote(s) and/or Therapy Plan • Notice(s) of Assessment (CCRA Personal Income Tax) for the current year for each household income earner(s).
Please keep a copy of your completed application and attached documents for your records and note the date of submission.
GRANT FUNDING PROVIDED
All equipment, therapies and services must be provided by a recognized supplier, professional, etc. Requests must be accompanied by a letter of justification from a qualified professional. Variety will NOT reimburse or pay for items, services or therapies purchased prior to our approval. Variety pays on invoice directly to the supplier or service provider in Canadian funds and only up to the allotment we approve. All approvals are confirmed in writing.
Requests for EQUIPMENT include medical supplies, mobility or functional devices including orthotics, wheelchairs, walkers/standers, customized seating, assistive or technical tools, cochlear implants/processors and hearing aids, residential or vehicle lifts and tie-downs, customized bikes, safety items, feeding, insulin or other bio-medical pumps and supplies, etc.
• Equipment or medical/treatment supply requests require 1 quote. • Residential or vehicle lift requests require 2 quotes.
Quotes must contain the supplier’s business name, address, phone, fax, e-mail, an itemized breakdown of costs, the quote date, and expiry date.
Families are responsible to ensure that all funded equipment is appropriately insured and regularly maintained.
Variety does not pay for service agreements, insurance, warranties, batteries or regular maintenance. Requests for THERAPIES, TUTORING/BURSARIES may include emergency respite, music therapy, speech and language therapy, occupational and physical therapy, massage therapy, counselling and psychological/psychiatric services, and associated therapeutic activities.
A Therapy Plan must be provided by the service provider detailing the expected goals of service for the child, the length of time needed to accomplish the goals and the rate or fees for the service. Therapy plans must include the business name and/or professional designation of the therapist, address, phone, fax, e-mail, etc.
Requests for PRESCRIPTIONS OR MEDICAL/ THERAPEUTIC SUPPLIES must include a prescription and letter from the prescribing doctor detailing what is needed (quantity) and the time frame. Prescription and nonprescription (over-the counter purchases, nutritional supplements, formulas, medical supplies, etc.) should be listed separately on the application form. Variety must also be advised of the family’s fair Pharmacare deductible amount.
Requests for DENTAL TREATMENT must identify a ‘medical special need’ such as abscessing, severe pain, inability to swallow, chew, preventative pre-surgery, etc. Referrals to BC Children's Hospital Dental Program should be pursued prior to application.
A brief letter of justification and a Treatment Plan with a cost breakdown must be included from the dentist who will be performing the work. Any available coverage must also be detailed including the portion covered by any insurance, Healthy Kids/AHP or other plans, and your ability to contribute.
Requests for SPECIAL DIETARY OR NUTRITIONAL NEEDS must be accompanied by a letter and prescription from a registered Dietician, Physician, dietary Nurse describing the diagnosis and specific dietary needs. A detailed list of all items and the monthly cost must also be included with the application as well as vendor information including the business name, address, phone, fax, e-mail, etc.
