There are several funding sources to make it easier to access private speech therapy services. This guide makes it easy to assess you or your child’s eligibility for free or subsidized speech-language pathology (SLP) services in British Columbia.
Arbutus Speech Therapy will be glad to assist in determining which funding options are best throughout the intake process. Get in touch here for more information.
Please click on the link that applies to you to learn more:
Assistance available to Children:
Extended Health Plans
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
All Children aged 0-5
First Nations Children aged 0-18
Severe Disability aged 0-19
Adopted Children
Parent currently serving in the military
Charities available to low income families
Assistance Available to Adults:
Extended Health Plans
Disability
Injured on the job (Worksafe BC)
Injured in a car accident (ICBC)
Children
Do you have an Extended Health Plan that lists your child as a dependent?
To access extended health care, call or email your insurance provider and ask if they cover speech-language evaluation and/or therapy or look at your benefits summary. Many providers will also cover parent coaching for both parents which can triple the amount of services your child receives.
Large providers of extended health benefits in BC include Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life Financial, Great-West Life Insurance and Manulife Insurance
Does your child have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Our article 4 Steps to Autism (ASD) Diagnosis, Funding, and Treatment in BC may be helpful if your child has not yet received an Autism diagnosis.
If you do have a diagnosis, the Autism Funding Unit provides financial assistance for eligible services and supports that promote skill development for children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. If you are receiving AFU funding, ensure you sign up to My Family Services.
Click to access Autism Funding Unit’s website and forms.
Is your Child Under 5 with Suspected Speech or Language Difficulties?
The first step is to contact your local public health unit for free evaluation and therapy. See our article on Accessing Free Public Health SLP Services for more information about how children under the age of 5 can access public SLP services.
Is your child First Nations?
All First Nation children are eligible to receive services that they need including funds for health, social and education products, supports and therapeutic services including speech-language pathologist services for individuals or groups through the Jordan’s Principle program.
Does your child have a have a severe disability or complex health care needs?
The At Home Program is designed to support children and teens with a severe disability or complex health care needs who would benefit greatly from at-home services for up to $3,840 per year.
Did you adopt a child through the Ministry of Children and Family Development?
With the assistance of their Adoption Social Worker, funding is provided for adopted children with special needs for services such as speech-language pathology, physiotherapy, counselling, respite, and more. Visit the Post-Adoption Assistance Program Website for more information.
Are you a serving member of the military with a child who has special needs?
Military families with special needs children can receive funding from Support Our Troops to cover services such as speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy.
Have you considered applying for a grant from a local charity?
If your family earn less than $65,000 and has a child with a qualified special need (medical/developmental,) you may be eligible to apply for assistance from Variety Children’s Charity. Variety provides financial assistance for families with special needs children for medical care, services, mobility, communication equipment, therapies, and education. If you believe you are eligible to apply for a Variety grant, let us know so we can assist you with the application process.
The CKNW Kids Fund provides timely support to vulnerable kids with physical, mental, and social challenges by providing grants for essential specialized medical equipment, therapies, and youth programs. Again, if you believe you are eligible to apply for a CKNW grant, we would be happy to assist you with the application process.
Adults
Do you have an Extended Health Plan that covers Speech-Language Pathology services?
To access extended health care, call or email your insurance provider and ask if they cover speech-language evaluation and/or therapy or look at your benefits summary. Large providers of extended health benefits in BC include Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life Financial, Canada Life / Great-West Life Insurance and Manulife Insurance.
Are you an adult with a disability or impairment?
You may be eligible for the Government of Canada’s Disability Tax Credit (DTC.) You can claim the DTC for yourself, your dependent or your spouse/common-law partner. The purpose of the DTC is to provide for greater tax equity by allowing some relief for disability costs, since these are unavoidable additional expenses that other taxpayers don’t have to face. More information can be found on the Government of Canada’s website or call 1800-959-8281.
Did you suffer a work-related injury or disease that requires speech or language rehabilitation?
Worksafe BC provides compensation (up to $160.00 per clinical visit) for employees who have suffered a work-related injury or disease who require the services of a speech-language pathologist. Any Speech-Language Pathologist in good standing with the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC is eligible for approval to treat a worker as long as their claim has been accepted.
More information can be found on WorkSafe BC’s website
Do you need rehabilitation for speech, language, or swallowing due to an automobile accident?
For those involved in automobile accidents, ICBC provides coverage to access rehabilitation services including speech-language pathology.
