Description

Disability-related services for adults (people aged 19 and over) are provided mainly by the New Brunswick Department of Social Development under the authority of the Family Services Act and through the Disability Support Program (for people ages 19 to 64) and the Long-Term Care Program (for people 65 and over).

Under these government programs, disability-related services are divided into two main categories:

• Home and community disability supports (sometimes referred to as “in-home services”)
• Residential care services provided through community residences, special care homes, and nursing homes

Benefit Amount

Coverage up to 100% for: Personal care supports may include help with dressing, bathing, grooming, and toileting.

Home supports may include help with activities such as cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, and other household tasks.

Disability supports may include assistance with transportation and for involvement in the community. Respite or relief may also be available.

These supports and services may be provided through community agencies or through private individuals. Generally, government will not pay for immediate family members to provide disability supports and services.

The government may provide funding to assist with the cost of disability related services when the person is financially unable to pay the full cost. The financial assessment will determine what the person is required to contribute to the cost of their approved services.

For example, if the total cost of disability supports and services is $800.00 per month and a person’s financial contribution is determined to be $200.00 per month, the government will pay $600.00 towards the cost of supports and services.

If a person’s only source of income is provincial government income support benefits, then they will not have to contribute towards the cost of disability supports.

As a general rule, a person may be eligible to receive up to 215 hours of disability supports and services per month that will be provided in the person’s home or community.

In justifiable circumstances, the government can approve up to 336 hours of support per month in a person’s home or community when this can be justified based on a person’s disability-related needs. Higher-cost support plans (in excess of 336 hours) can be approved in exceptional circumstances.

Eligibility Criteria

There are two aspects to determining a person’s eligibility to receive government funding for disability-related services:

• A person must demonstrate sufficient need for disability supports and services. This need is related to a person’s ability to do regular activities of daily living, make decisions, and to look after themselves.
• A person must also demonstrate that they have a financial need for government assistance. A person who applies for government-funded disability supports and services must go through a financial assessment process that looks at their net income.

This process is governed by the Standard Family Contribution Policy (Department of Social Development).

The amount that the government will pay is determined by means of an income scale. The income scale is adjusted every year and varies according to a person’s situation (if they are single, married, and with or without dependents).

Application Process

Varies.