B.C. Children & Youth Disability Benefit
Updates to the way your children access funding are on the horizon.
We understand that changes to funding can feel uncertain, and we are closely monitoring developments to help guide families through any transitions.
Upcoming Changes to Provincial Disability Funding
The Government of British Columbia has announced changes to child and youth disability funding. Beginning in April 2026, the current Autism Funding program and some other funding streams will transition to a new system called the BC Children and Youth Disability Benefit.
This new model is designed to provide funding based on a child’s functional support needs, rather than diagnosis alone.
At Skills to Play, we are closely monitoring these changes and are committed to supporting families before, during, and
after the transition.
Overview of the New Benefit
The BC Children and Youth Disability Benefit will provide direct funding for children and youth (ages 0–19) who have lifelong disabilities resulting in significant and/or complex support needs.
The new model aims to:
+ Tailor funding to each child’s functional needs
+ Increase support for children with the highest needs
+ Offer more flexibility and choice
+ Reduce administrative burden
+ Expand access to community services
Funding Amounts
Funding will be determined based on level of support need:
+ Base Tier: $6,500 per year
+ Higher Tier: $17,000 per year
Alongside the BC Children and Youth Disability Benefit, the province has introduced the BC Children and Youth Disability Supplement. Starting in July 2027, eligible middle- and lower-income families may receive up to $6,000 per year, per eligible child, delivered as a refundable tax credit.
Families earning over $300,000 annually are not eligible for the Disability Supplement.
Transition Timeline
The new benefit will be implemented in phases:
April 2026 – March 2027:
Current families receiving funding will transition in stages. Ministry workers will contact families directly to support this process.
April 2027 onward:
Full implementation of the new benefit. New families will apply directly under the updated model.
Families should continue using their current funding as usual until they are contacted about their transition.
Eligibility
Children and youth may qualify if they have a long-term disability that results in significant and complex developmental support needs.
There will be two pathways to eligibility:
+ Direct admission for children with clearly identified high support needs
+ Needs-based review, which includes functional assessment and clinical review
Children with a current autism diagnosis do not need to be reassessed. More detailed eligibility criteria will continue to be clarified by the Ministry.
How the Benefit Can Be Used
Once approved, families will work with a ministry worker or professional to develop a Support Plan outlining goals, services, and funding allocation.
Families will have options for how funding is managed, including:
+ Direct payment
+ Invoicing through service providers
+ Agency-coordinated options
What This Means for Skills to Play Families
We understand that funding changes can feel uncertain. Please know:
+ We remain committed to consistent, high-quality, neurodiversity-affirming services.
+ We are reviewing how the new funding structure may impact service delivery.
+ We will adapt our systems as needed to align with the updated model.
+ We will continue to communicate clearly as more information becomes available.
If you have questions about how this may affect your child’s services, please reach out to our team.
Read more about the changes here.