BC Life-Threatening Health Needs Supplement — Medical Equipment, Supplies & Transportation: Free, walk in or by phone, at 405 Highway 33 West, Kelowna, BC V1X 1Y2 (income assistance office). Who it's for: BC residents with family adjusted net income of $42,000 or less (not on assistance), or BCEA recipients not otherwise eligible, who face a….
Categories: Financial Aid, Health, Medical Equipment & Assistive Devices
If you have a low income and urgently need medical equipment, medical supplies or medical travel to stay alive, the BC government may pay for it. You do not have to be on income assistance. ▸ Who can get this? • You live in BC. • Your family's adjusted net income is $42,000 a year or less. This is the same test used for MSP supplementary benefits. • A doctor or nurse practitioner confirms that without the item, your life is at direct and immediate risk. • You have no other way to pay (for example PharmaCare, the health authority, private insurance, ICBC, WorkSafeBC, Veterans Affairs, charities, or family and friends). • If you are not on assistance, you must first use savings above the disability assistance asset limit. Loans and credit cards do not count as savings. • People already on assistance who don't otherwise qualify for these items can also apply. ▸ What it covers • Only medical equipment, medical supplies or medical transportation. • Examples: a CPAP machine for severe sleep apnea with a serious heart condition, burn garments for infected burns, or travel to chemotherapy. • Not covered: things like a cane, Tylenol, or travel to a routine doctor visit. ▸ How to apply 1. Get written medical information from your doctor or nurse practitioner. 2. Contact the ministry at 1-866-866-0800, or visit the Kelowna office (405 Highway 33 West) or West Kelowna office (3685 Hoskins Rd). 3. If you are not on assistance, fill out an application and show your income. ▸ Office fax • Kelowna: Fax: 1-855-771-8792 • West Kelowna: Fax: 1-855-771-8764 ▸ What you need • A note from your doctor or nurse practitioner. It must say what threatens your life, what item you need, and how it helps. • If not on assistance: proof of income, such as last year's Notice of Assessment (NOA, the tax summary from the Canada Revenue Agency). ▸ Good to know • Your income is checked each time you ask for an item. • If other help pays only part, the ministry may share the cost. • If you live in a care home funded by the Ministry of Health, the facility must provide equipment instead.
Also known as: LTHN life threatening health needs medical equipment medical supplies medical transportation CPAP low income MSP supplementary ministry health supplement, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (Government of BC)
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