Ministry of Health
BC Family Residence Program
Connecting Children and Families with Medical Care
Accommodations
The BC Family Residence Program (BCFRP) is administered by Variety - The Children's Charity of British Columbia, and provides subsidized accommodation for families whose child, including premature babies and newborns with other health concerns, is receiving care at BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver. Accommodation assistance is available for one room for up to 30 days per stay. Arrangements are made through Variety for accommodation in a subsidized family residence, such as Heather House, Ronald McDonald House, and Easter Seal House or alternate locations that meet the criteria.
To apply for accommodation assistance call toll free: 1 866-496-6946
Program Details
The program provides accommodation subsidies for families with a child, aged 18 years and under, who requires medical care at BC Children's Hospital, including premature babies and newborns with other health concerns. Accommodation is arranged at convenient locations in the Vancouver area so that a family is able to stay close by while their child is receiving medical care. The program provides accommodation assistance to a family for one room for up to 30 days per stay.To qualify for assistance with accommodation costs, families must:
- be residents of B.C. and have medical insurance coverage under the Medical Services Plan of BC, and
- have a child who is receiving medical care at BC Children's Hospital, including premature babies and newborns with other health concerns, and
- live outside *Metro Vancouver
*Families living in communities outside Metro Vancouver are eligible for accommodation assistance through the program. Families living within the following communities which comprise Metro Vancouver are not eligible for accommodation assistance: Anmore, Belcarra, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley, Lions Bay, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, White Rock, West Vancouver and Electoral Area A.
Note: Residents of Bowen Island and island communities within Electoral Area A are eligible for the Accommodation subsidy due to the requirement of ferry travel.
Reference should be made to the Metro Vancouver web site to determine if you reside within these boundaries.
Families may contact Variety - The Children's Charity directly to apply for assistance through this program. Confirmation of the dates of medical treatment or duration of visit at BC Children's Hospital is required from the child's attending physician, BC Children's Hospital or from a social worker. This can be obtained via email, fax or written note and will be confirmed by Variety - The Children's Charity upon application to the program.
Physician offices, social workers, and hospital personnel are encouraged to contact Variety - The Children's Charity on behalf of their patients to confirm eligibility for benefits.
To apply for accommodation assistance call toll free at: 1 866-496-6946
After the initial application process is completed, you do not need to re-apply each time your child needs care at BC Children's Hospital. However, confirmation must be provided to Variety - The Children's Charity that your child is receiving care at BC Children's Hospital, including premature babies and newborns with other health concerns. Confirmation is usually provided through the family's physician, social worker or hospital personnel at BC Children's Hospital.
Families who wish to make their own arrangements for accommodation are responsible for the cost of that accommodation. Payment of the accommodation subsidy is made directly to the facility. No funds will be provided directly to the patient or their family.
For more answers to frequently asked questions click here.
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