British Columbia · Money

BC Children and Youth Disability Benefit

New direct-funding benefit for children and youth up to age 19 with significant disabilities of any diagnosis (autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and more) — replacing Autism Funding and the School-Aged Extended Therapies stream.

What it is

Two funding tiers: a base tier of $6,500/year and a higher tier of $17,000/year set through support planning with a ministry worker. Funding covers disability-related expenses including respite, paediatric therapies, behavioural intervention, and assistive and augmentative communication supports. Eligibility is needs-based, not diagnosis-specific: direct admission for conditions such as moderate-to-profound intellectual disability, autism with intellectual disability, and degenerative conditions, plus a needs-based clinical review pathway for rare or atypical cases. Part of a $475-million, three-year provincial investment that also expands free community services (therapies from spring 2026, behaviour and mental-health supports 2027, navigation and school-aged programming 2027-2028).

Who it is for

Starts April 1, 2026 for families already receiving ministry services for children and youth with support needs; they do not need to apply. The benefit will be available province-wide by April 1, 2027.

Amount or value

$6,500 or $17,000/year

At a glance

Difficulty: Medium
Application: Transition or needs-based ministry assessment
Decision timing: Phased rollout through April 2027

How to apply

Already receiving Autism Funding or SAET: wait to be contacted — a ministry worker manages your transition between April 2026 and March 2027
Not yet in a program: apply through Autism Funding or the School-Aged Extended Therapies stream before March 2027 and you will move to the Disability Benefit automatically in April 2027
From April 1, 2027: apply directly to the Disability Benefit
Work with a ministry worker on support planning if your child may qualify for the $17,000 higher tier

What you may need

Existing program enrolment (for automatic transition), or
Diagnostic reports and functional assessments showing significant support needs (communication, cognitive/adaptive functioning, safety or behavioural complexity)

Practical tips

Do not wait for 2027 — applying to Autism Funding or the School-Aged Extended Therapies stream now locks in an automatic transition
Funding is flexible across respite, therapy, behaviour intervention and AAC rather than tied to one diagnosis stream
Services outside British Columbia and unresearched interventions are not eligible uses
Call the CYSN Resource Line (1-833-882-0024) or your local CYSN office to discuss eligibility today

Timing

Transition runs April 2026 to March 2027; open to direct applications April 1, 2027.

Phone

1-844-442-2800