Please note that the deadline to apply to the Autism Family Support Fund has now passed. All complete applications will be reviewed by the Review Committee in March 2024.
What is the Autism Family Support Fund?
The Autism Family Support Fund is a one-time grant of $1,000,000 from the Office of Addictions and Mental Health (OAMH) being administered by IWK Health. This one-time fund has been established to help lower-income families with out-of-pocket expenses related to supporting their child (of up to and including 16 years of age) with an autism diagnosis. The maximum amount of funding is $3,000 per child for approved applications meeting eligibility criteria.
Am I eligible for this funding?
To be approved for funding through the Autism Family Support Fund, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must reside in Nova Scotia.
- Your child is 16 years old or younger and has a confirmed autism diagnosis.
- Your family's annual income must be below a certain amount. The amount is based on the number of people in your family unit. You can see if you’re eligible by looking at the income information below.
Income Threshold:
Your family's annual income before taxes must be below a certain amount to be eligible to apply for the fund, and it’s determined based on the number of people in your family.
Income threshold based on the family unit size:
- Family unit of Two People:
Your family's income (before tax) must be under $43,693. - Family unit of Three People:
Your family's income (before tax) must be under $51,029. - Family unit of Four People:
Your family's income (before tax) must be under $58,310. - Family unit of Five (or more) People:
Your family's income (before tax) must be under $65,590.
For example: If your family unit consists of two adults and a child, your family's total income must be under $51,029 (before tax) to be eligible for the Autism Family Support Fund.
These guidelines are in place to make sure that we can help as many families as possible. If you meet all criteria above, you’re eligible to apply.
What type of expenses does the Fund cover?
The Fund covers various types of expenses for children with a confirmed diagnosis of autism including:
Equipment and Supplies:
- safety: supplies and equipment to support child safety such as door alarms, minor home improvements such as gates, fences, or other items;
- training supports for caregivers: Books/manuals that are aligned with interventions provided by clinical teams;
- supplies: intervention supplies/equipment for the home including specific toys, visual timers, etc. to support interventions provided by clinical teams;
- communication: supporting communication devices.
Other Child/Family Needs:
- respite costs
- programming for children such as social recreational opportunities, camps, school tutoring, after-school programming, music therapy;
- travel and other related expenses (i.e., accommodations) for intervention services, medical appointments, and/or diagnostic services, where applicable, when travel occurs outside of your family’s home community.
What are my options for funding?
Option 1: Child and Family Support Grant
(Up to $3,000 per child)
This option allows families to use the grant at their discretion for out-of-pocket expenses. If approved, funds will be issued directly to the family without the need to submit receipts.
Who is it for?
Families with children who have a confirmed autism diagnosis and meet the eligibility criteria above.
What does it cover?
You can use this grant to pay for various items listed above, like equipment and supplies related to safety, training and communication, or services including respite costs, travel to services and medical appointments, childcare costs, and programming. You must state how you intend to use the funds on the application form.
What documents do I need to include with my application?
- Completed Application Form
- Your most recent Notice of Assessment(s) to show your family’s income.
- A form from your care/service provider to confirm your child/children’s autism diagnosis.
Option 2: Reimbursement of purchases
(Up to $3,000 per child)
Families may apply for reimbursement of purchases made on or after June 1, 2023. This provides families with an opportunity to get reimbursed for purchases already made to support their child/family.
Who is it for?
Families with children who have a confirmed autism diagnosis and meet the above eligibility criteria.
What does it cover?
This option reimburses you for items or services you’ve purchased after June 1, 2023. This includes equipment and supplies related to safety, training and communication, or services including respite costs, travel to services and medical appointments, assessments, childcare costs, and programming.
How will I get the money if I’m approved?
Applicants must provide the receipts dated on are after June 1, 2023, to show what was purchased. After you apply and get approved, you will receive a confirmation letter and get the money back for your purchases made.
What documents do I need to include in my application?
- Completed Application Form
- Your most recent Notice of Assessment(s) to show your family's income.
- A form from your care/service provider to confirm the autism diagnosis.
- Receipts for what you bought.
Important Information for Both Option 1 and Option 2:
Families may choose to purchase items/services in advance of receiving approval while waiting for the funding application process to be completed, but please note that the approval of your application is not guaranteed. If you decide to purchase items before getting approval, please note that this is at your own risk.
Families may choose both Option 1 AND Option 2 on the application form. However, the total amount that families can receive per child cannot be greater than $3,000. If there is more than one child 16 years and under in the family unit with autism, separate applications for each child will be accepted.
Supporting documents needed:
- Your most recent Notice of Assessment(s): This provides information on whether your family unit is eligible based on income.
- Care/Service Provider Form: You will need to get a care/service provider (like an occupational therapist, psychologist, speech-language pathologist, pediatrician, teacher, developmental interventionist, staff with EIBI, etc.) to confirm your child’s diagnosis.
- Submit Receipts (if needed): If you're choosing Option 2, please attach the receipts dated on or after June 1, 2023 for items or services you’ve bought.
How will I get the money if I’m approved?
All applicants will receive a letter on the outcome of their application. If your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation letter. The confirmation letter will provide details on how to receive the payment either through electronic funds transfer (EFT) or by cheque.
Will I have to pay income tax on the money I get?
The funds received may be subject to income taxes. Because every family’s situation is unique, this is a question you will need to ask the Canada Revenue Agency or your tax professional when you file your taxes.
Is there a deadline to apply?
There has been a very high volume of applications to this one-time $1,000,000 fund. As noted above, the deadline to apply to the Autism Family Support Fund has passed. All complete applications will be reviewed by the Review Committee in March 2024.
The IWK takes privacy very seriously and protecting privacy and confidentiality is important to us. All the personal health information and/or personal information you provide to us in this application will be handled securely and will only be accessed by the IWK team members who are part of the assessment process.
If you have any questions about the Autism Family Support Fund, please reach out to AutismFamilyFund@iwk.nshealth.ca.