Disability Support Program
Website: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/social_development/services/services_renderer.200972.Disability_Support_Program.html
About This Program:
The Disability Support Program (DSP) provides personalized, flexible supports for adults with disabilities to increase their independence and connection to the community. The program offers one-on-one guidance to develop a custom, personal disability support plan tailored to your needs. Disability supports can include:
- Home Support Worker
- Respite
- Personal supports and assistance within and outside the home
- Supports for community involvement and participation
- Personal living skills training
- Transportation supports that are disability specific
- Technical supports and assistive devices not covered under other programs
- Residential facility services
Some supports and services are currently provided under other government programs and will not be provided or funded under this program such as:
- Addiction services
- Vehicle retrofitting
- Major home adaptations or subsidized housing
- Mental health services
- Employment services (except if provided through ADAPT agencies)
- Child care services
- Income support
- Medical services or prescription drugs
- Residential facility services
A financial assessment to determine your contribution towards the cost of approved disability supports will be completed. Your income will be considered in determining your financial contribution. There is no cost for the general facilitation services. If you do not agree with the decisions made by the department staff concerning your eligibility, financial contribution or your support plan, you may request an Administrative Review.
Eligibility: You may qualify for this program if:
- You are a resident of New Brunswick
- You are 19 to 64 years of age
- You have a long-term disability (this does not include a medical condition that does not result in long term disability or services required to address drug, alcohol, nicotine or gambling addictions).
- You require disability related supports in order to address unmet needs and to establish or maintain your living arrangement in the community, to assist or enhance the capacity of your natural support networks to provide support in the community, or to help you participate in the community, thereby helping to avoid long-term inactivity and stress on yourself or your caregivers.
- You require disability related supports in order to address unmet needs and to assist or enhance the capacity of your natural support networks to help you personally or to help you participate in the community.
How to Apply/Application:
Everyone who applies for the Disability Support Program will go through an application process to find out if they qualify for services and, where applicable, financial help.
There are three main ways to start the application process:
- by yourself or with help from family or friends,
- with help from Social Development or Mental Health staff, or
- with help from an independent facilitator from Inclusion NB.
- You can start the application process for the Disability Support Program in two ways:
- You can apply online – https://nbsocialdevelopment.my.site.com/applications/s/dspltc?language=en_US&origin=disability-support-program. Once you have answered the pre-screening questions, if it looks like you may be eligible, you will be given the option to complete an application online, or
- You can call Social Development at 1-833-733-7835. Press 1 for English, 2 for French. Press 3 to talk to someone about disability services. Tell the representative you would like to apply for the Disability Support Program.
- Anyone can start the process, but if you are not applying for yourself, please ensure you have permission from that person. You must have ALL the following information for the person with a disability who would like to apply for services. If applying over the phone, the representative will do an initial screening. Please be ready to share:
- Full name
- Date of Birth
- Phone Number
- Address
- Description of the type activities you need help with and the reason you need the help.
Contact Information: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/social_development/services/services_renderer.200972.Disability_Support_Program.html#serviceLocation
Social Assistance Program
Website: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/services/services_renderer.10295.html
About This Program:
The Department of Social Development provides people in financial need with assistance to meet their basic needs such as food, rent, utilities and clothing. The program may also help you with other needs such as child care, transportation, prescription drugs and more.
Individuals receiving Income Assistance may also benefit from a wide range of programs and services designed to help you manage learning, work and transitional case plans.
Eligibility: Are you eligible for Income Assistance?
To see if you are eligible, all of the income is added up from all sources of all people who live in your household. If the total household income is less than the rate for your family type, the household is likely eligible to receive financial help. The amount received depends on the total household income.
For more information on determining if you are eligible for Income Assistance please see “Assets and Incomes” – https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/social_development/policy_manual/assets_and_income.html
If you were working recently and are eligible for Employment Insurance, please see “EI Regular Benefits” – https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-regular-benefit/apply.html
How to Apply/Application:
- Step 1: Gather the following information before you contact the Department of Social Development:
You will be asked to provide:
– Your mailing address
– Your residence address (if it is different from your mailing address)
– Your rental or mortgage costs
For every member in the household, you will be asked to provide:
– First and last name
– Birthdate
– Medicare number
– Social Insurance Number (SIN)
– Income (like employment, child support, Employment Insurance, etc.)
– Assets (what every family member owns – like a car or a house)
Step 2: Call the provincial number for screening and intakes at 1-833-SDDSTel (1-833-733-7835).
– You will be asked questions to determine if you may be eligible to receive Income Assistance.
Step 3: If you are eligible for Income Assistance, an appointment will be scheduled for you to complete the application package and provide required documentation to the department.
– Please see the “Checklist of Documents to bring to your appointment” – https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/sd-ds/pdf/SocialAssistance/checklist-of-documents.pdf
Other Benefits
In addition to Income Assistance, the Department of Social Development offers a number of benefits, including:
– Health Cards
– Emergency Fuel Benefit
– Emergency Special Benefits
– Medical Transportation
Contact Information:
1-833-SDDSTel (1-833-733-7835) OR https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/services/services_renderer.10295.html#serviceLocation
Family Supports for Children with Disabilities
Website: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/services/services_renderer.10195.html
About This Program:
Family Supports for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) is a family-centered, strength-based program, founded on a rights-based approach to disability. This voluntary program assists families raising children with disabilities with the extraordinary care and supports necessary to enhance their existing strengths. The focus of the program is to service unmet needs and to advocate for access to resources to support family well-being and community inclusion.
Family Supports for Children with Disabilities recognizes that each family is unique; that the family is the constant in the child’s life; and that they are the experts on the child’s abilities and needs.
ELIGIBILITY: Eligibility looks beyond the child’s disability to examine all relevant factors that affect the child’s ability to participate in society. The eligibility criteria consider the child and family’s unmet needs as a result of the child’s disability.
For the purpose of the Family Supports for Children with Disabilities program, a disability is defined as a lifelong physical, sensory, cognitive or neurological condition or impairment which in interaction with various barriers, significantly limits a child’s ability to function in daily living. It does not include a condition for which the primary need is for medical care or health services to treat or manage the condition, unless it is a chronic condition.
The Family Supports for Children with Disabilities program is available to families raising a child who:
- has a disability that significantly limits their ability to
- participate in activities of daily living;
- are under the age of 19;
- are a resident of New Brunswick;
- has a valid New Brunswick Medicare card or evidence that application for this card has been made;
- has at least one written letter of support/assessment from a professional indicating the nature of their disability.
Eligibility for the Family Supports for Children with Disabilities program is not based on family income or the child having a specific diagnosis.
Program Brochure: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/sd-ds/pdf/Disabilities/FamilySupportsForChildrenWithDisabilities.pdf
How to Apply/Application:
Call the Social Development office in your region. If you meet preliminary eligibility, a social worker will meet you and your family to complete the application.
Contact Information:
For more information about the Family Supports for Children with Disabilities program, please visit www.gnb.ca/socialdevelopment or call the Social Development office in your region. 1-833-SDDStel (1-833-733-7835)
