New Brunswick Medical Equipment Funding Sources

Please note that this information was compiled in 2006 and may not be completely accurate at this time but I've included it as every possible funding lead is worth checking out. We would appreaciate it if anyone has updated information would please contact us.

Department Family and Community Services

P.O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
Telephone: (506) 453-2001
Fax: (506) 453-7478
Website: www.gnb.ca/0017/index-e.asp/

Regional offices:

Acadian Peninsula (866) 441-4149
Chaleur (866) 441-4341
Edmundston (866) 441-4249
Fredericton (866) 444-8838
Miramichi (866) 441-4246
Moncton (866) 426-5191
Restigouche (866) 441-4245
Saint John (866) 441-4340

The Health Services Program

The Health Services Program under Family and Community Services also referred to as the ?health card?, assists eligible clients with the purchase of certain basic items not ordinarily covered by Medicare or private health plans. Programs include Dental, Vision, Convalescent/ Rehab (including wheelchairs and seating), Hearing Aid, Hyperalimentation, Orthopedic, Ostomy/ Incontinence, Oxygen, Pharmaceutical (allergy serum only) and Prosthetic. Please refer to the Health Services section of the FCS website for more detailed information regarding benefits at www.gnb.ca/0017/Health%20Services/index-e.asp/.

Note: Convalescent equipment may be recycled and loaned, when appropriate, through an arrangement with Easter Seals NB.

A health card is provided to the following clients of the Department of Family and Community Services:

• Social Assistance clients and their dependents;
• Individuals who have special health needs and qualify under Section 4.4 of the Family Income Security Act and Regulations for extended health care;
• Children in the care of the Minister;
• Residents of nursing homes, special care homes, community residences and psychiatric hospitals;
• Children with special needs who are clients of the Community Based Services for Children with Special Needs Program (CBSCSN), where the family demonstrates financial needs. These children may receive a health card for specific items directly related to the child?s special needs; and
• Children where it has been recommended that income assistance be provided for board and lodging (Section 22).

Department of Finance

Vehicle Tax Refund for Disabled Persons

Upon the purchase of a motor vehicle in the Province of New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Government may refund the 8% provincial portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) or 13% Provincial Tax (PVT) on private sale transactions for persons with disabilities if:

• the motor vehicle is specially equipped with a device to enable a wheelchair or scooter to enter or leave the passenger vehicle (i.e. hydraulic lifts); or
• the motor vehicle is specially equipped with auxiliary driving controls (does not include spinner knobs) that are usedto facilitate the operation of the passenger vehicle; and
• the motor vehicle is not operated by any person for the purpose of earning a profit for any person or as part of any undertaking carried on for gain; and
• the claimant is not eligible for any other GST/HST credit or rebate related to this purchase.

Applications for refund of the 8% provincial portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax ( HST), form #HST-R-02, or 13% Provincial Vehicle Tax (PVT) form #PVT-R-01, can be obtained at any Service New Brunswick Centre or by contacting the Revenue & Taxation Division, Department of Finance at (506) 453-2404.

Along with the application the claimant must submit the following necessary supporting documents:

For refund of the 8% provincial portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST):

• (a) Copy of Bill of Sale and/or New Brunswick Tax Receipt;
• (b) Proof that motor the vehicle is specially equipped with a device to enable a wheelchair or scooter to enter or leave the passenger vehicle; or
• (c) Proof that motor vehicle is fitting with auxiliary driving controls that are used to facilitate the operation of the passenger vehicle, truck, or van;
• (d) Letter from a medical practitioner certifying that the person is disabled.

For refund of the 13% Provincial vehicle Tax (PVT) on private sale transactions:

• (a) Copy of Bill of Sale and New Brunswick Tax Receipt;
• (b) Proof that the motor vehicle is specially equipped with a device to enable a wheelchair or scooter to enter or leave the passenger vehicle; or
• (c) Proof that the motor vehicle is fitting with auxiliary driving controls that are used to facilitate the operation of the passenger vehicle, truck, or van;
• (d) Letter from a medical practitioner certifying that the person is disabled.

Applications, along with supporting documents, can be mailed to:

Department of Finance
Revenue and Taxation Division, Refund Section

P.O. Box 3000
Fredericton, N.B. E3B 5G5
Inquiries on refund eligibility and/or criteria can be made to the Revenue and Taxation Division of the Department of Finance at : (506) 453-2404

Please note: Any inquiry on eligibility for obtaining a refund of the HST paid on adaptive equipment placed on such motor vehicles or the 6% portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax paid on the purchase of the motor vehicle must be made to the Canada Revenue Agency at (800) 959-5525.

Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour

1) Student Financial Services Branch

P.O. Box 6000
548 York Street
Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
Telephone: (506) 453-2577
Toll-free: 1 (800) 667-5626
Fax: (506) 444-4333
Website: www.studentaid.gnb.ca/

Post secondary students with a disability may be eligible for a grant for up to $8,000.00 a year from the federal government to cover exceptional education-related costs associated with certain permanent disabilities. To apply for the Canada Study Grant for the Accommodation of Students with Permanent Disabilities, one must apply to the Student Loan Program to demonstrate need and fill out a separate application form for the grant.

Rehabilitation equipment needed in order to participate in the educational program are eligible expenses to be considered for the grant, along with other supports.

In addition, a new Canada Access Grant for Students with Permanent Disabilities is now available to address the unmet financial need of students with disabilities. The CSG-PD is designed to provide an incentive to students with permanent disabilities to participate in post secondary studies and decrease financial barriers. Persons with disabilities will be allowed an up-front grant of up to $2,000 to help reduce reliance on student loans.

2) Training and Employment Support Services (TESS)
Website: www.gnb.ca/0311/2ee.htm

Employment Regional Offices:
Bathurst: (506) 549-5268
Campbellton: (506) 789-2514
Caraquet: (506) 726-2067
Edmundston: (506) 735-2152
Fredericton: (506) 453-7946
Miramichi: (506) 627-4004
Moncton: (506) 856-2512
Saint John: (506) 643-6964

The Training and Employment Support Services (TESS) for Persons with Disabilities program offers training and employment services that enable persons with disabilities to achieve their occupational goal or obtain employment.

The purpose of TESS is to decrease the barriers faced by persons with disabilities so that they may be as competitive as the non-disabled population in their search for employment.

Although everybody's needs are different, some of the services a TESS client may be eligible for include counseling to help decide on a career plan, adaptive equipment required to pursue a career goal, and assistance with special educational or training costs.

Training and Employment Support Services may cover items such as:

• training ? tuition, books, tutor, translator, living expenses, and training supplies (many of these are covered only to the extent of making them usable, such as converting text to braille, etc.);
• employment ? assessment and counselling, job search and coaching, entrepreneurial planning and work site, home and vehicle modification;
• adaptive and assistive ? technologies, tools and equipment, ergonomic aids, specialized transportation, and needs assessment; and
• job crisis ? workplace mediation and specialized services.

The level of funding varies depending upon the support service utilized and financial need.

Department of Transportation

Vehicle Retrofit Program

Strategic Development and Intergovernmental Relations
P. O. Box 6000
Fredericton, N.B. E3B 5H1
Telephone: (506) 453-5818
Fax: (506) 453-5859
E-mail: Claudette.mcallister@gnb.ca
Website: www.gnb.ca/0113/Policy/vretro/veh-retrofit-e.asp

This program is designed to increase the mobility of persons with a disability residing in the province of New Brunswick by providing financial assistance towards the cost of supplying and installing eligible retrofitting and accessibility features for vehicles.

Grants are available to eligible applicants up to 80% of the first $5 625 and 50% of the next $7 000 towards the cost of eligible accessibility features for a new or existing vehicle, up to a maximum grant amount of $8 000. This grant amount is renewable every 10 years for individuals and 5 years for organizations. Eligible applicants include individual residents, organizations, municipalities or private companies providing transportation services to persons with a disability, all of which must reside or be based within the province of New Brunswick.

Some examples of retrofitting and accessibility features eligible for assistance under the program are:

• wheelchair lifts and ramps
• hand controls, steering devices and left-foot gas pedals
• wheelchair restraint systems
• special needs seating
• roof, floor and door alterations (if part of an accessible retrofit)
• scooter lifts

Consideration may be given to other features not listed above.

Veterans Affairs Canada
Atlantic Region
40 Alderney Drive
Halifax, N.S. B2Y 2N5
Toll-free: 1-866-522-2122 (English) or 1-866-522-2022 (French)
E-mail: information@vac-acc.gc.ca

New Brunswick District Offices:

Campbellton:
157 Water St.
5th floor, room 501
Campbellton, NB E3N 3L4

Saint John:
Customs Building
189 Prince William St, 5th floor
Saint John, NB E2L 2B9

A number of programs are available to provide assistance to eligible veterans, civilians, their dependents and survivors.

The Veterans Independence Program is aimed at helping clients to remain healthy and independent in their homes and communities.

Treatment and Other Health-Related Benefits consist of medical, surgical, dental and vision care, prosthetic devices, home adaptations and supplementary benefits such as travel costs for examinations or treatment.

The Long Term Care Program looks after the needs of veterans requiring long-term institutional care.

Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation
800 Priestman Street
Fredericton, N.B. E3B 0C7
Telephone: (506) 452-5225
Fax: (506) 452-5190

This is the provincial tertiary neurological rehabilitation centre. The Centre provides professional rehabilitation services in client assessment, prescription, fabrication and/or modification of certain rehabilitation equipment related to mobility, adapted seating, communications, driving, personal care, etc.

The Centre generally relies on funding from other sources to enable the client to obtain necessary rehabilitation equipment. From time to time the Centre is also able to recycle some items donated for that purpose. Referrals on behalf of clients are also made to third parties for accessing appropriate recycled equipment.

Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation
Commission of New Brunswick

Assistive Devices Program
P. O. Box 160
Saint John, N.B. E2L 3X9
Telephone: (506) 738-4029
Fax: (506) 738-3470
E-mail: steevesm@whscc.nb.ca

The Workers? Rehabilitation Centre?s (WRC) Assistive Devices Program provides the following devices designed to maximize a client?s function and independence:

• Prosthesis artificial limbs designed to replace an amputated limb;
• Orthoses braces or splints designed to prevent or correct deformities, to protect painful body parts, or to improve function;
• Wheelchairs customized for the client;
• Specialized devices to assist with the activities of work (e.g. modified tools) and daily living (e.g. adaptations in the home).

The specialized program team consists of certified prosthetists and orthotists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, physicians, and prosthetic / orthotic technicians. Consulting services from psychologists and dieticians are also available as needed. Services related to this program are provided by the entire multidisciplinary team, or representatives from a single discipline, depending upon the needs of the client.

Referral Options
The Assistive Devices Program offers the following treatment options:

• Amputee Rehab: admission to multidisciplinary treatment team for the rehabilitation of new amputees or amputees requiring intensive rehabilitation.
• Assistive Devices: specify artificial limb, splinting, bracing, insoles, adapted footwear, ankle support, wheelchair, ADL device.
• Assessment: assessment by a prosthetist / orthotist, physiotherapist or occupational therapist to make recommendations regarding appropriate assistive device management.
• Off-site evaluation / treatment: request for off-site evaluation / treatment including home evaluation, off-site prosthetic / orthotic management, wheelchair assessment, provided at the client?s home or in the region.

Canadian Cancer Society
N.B. Division
P. O. Box 2089
Saint John, N.B. E2L 3T5
Telephone: (506) 634-6272 / 1-800-455-9090
Fax: (506) 634-3808
Cancer information Services Line: 1-888-939-3333
Website: www.nb.cancer.ca

The Canadian Cancer Society ? New Brunswick Division may assist cancer patients with ground transportation costs for cancer treatments (chemotherapy and radiation).

Residents of New Brunswick who have been diagnosed with cancer who are in financial need are encouraged to apply.

Our eligibility criteria use a sliding scale that takes income, expense, size of household and savings into account. To request an application, please call 1 (800) 455-9090.

The Canadian Cancer Society ? New Brunswick Division also works with Easter Seals New Brunswick to cover the cost of up to 2 pieces of recycled equipment for cancer patients in financial need.

Canadian Deafblind and Rubella Association (NB/PEI Chapter)
181 Westmorland Street Suite 301
Fredericton, N.B. E3B 3L6
Telephone: (506) 452-1544
Fax: (506) 451-8309
E-mail: cdbra@nbnet.nb.ca
Website: www.deafblind.nb.ca

This non-profit organization has a small program to help deafblind individuals obtain new/recycled communication devices, hearing aids, vision aids and computers.

Canadian Red Cross - NB Region
P.O. Box 39
70 Lansdowne Avenue
Saint John, N.B.
E2L 3X3
Telephone: (506) 674-6200
Fax: (506) 674-6129
Website: www.redcross.ca

24-hour Homemaker: (800) 588-4881
24-Hour Emergency Service
Contact: Greg Forestell
Telephone: 1-800-222-9597

Several types of equipment, from wheelchair cushions to specialized wheelchairs, are loaned to persons over 65 years of age through their government-funded Seniors? Rehabilitative Specialized Equipment Program [(506) 647-6150]. A written referral from a health professional is required for this service and should be directed to the Canadian Red Cross, at the above address.

Referrals for specialized equipment for individuals 65 years of age and over should be directed to the attention of the Specialized Rehabilitative Equipment Coordinator at the Regional Office in Saint John.

Standard equipment is also loaned to persons under 65 years of age. Contact (506) 674-6146.

Not all programs of the community-based senior services are offered in all areas. There are four districts in New Brunswick. If a client has any questions regarding services offered in their area, they should contact the nearest District Office:

Northern District Offices

Bathurst District Office:
216 Main Street, Suite 101
Bathurst, NB E2A 1A8
Telephone: (506) 548-2824
Fax: (506) 548-0831

Campbellton District Office:
5 Adam Street
Campbellton, NB E3N 2T9
Telephone: (506) 759-8521
Fax: (506) 753-2487

Edmundston District Office:
173 Victoria Street
Edmundston, NB E3V 2H7
Telephone: (506) 736-0050
Fax: (506) 736-0055

Grand Falls District Office:
136A Church Street
Grand Falls, NB E3Z 2N9
Telephone: (506) 473-5897
Fax: (506) 473-6974

Tracadie District Office:
613-3 Rivi?re ? la Truite Road
P.O. Box 3478, Station Main
Tracadie-Sheila, NB E1X 1G5
Telephone: (506) 395-2010
Fax: (506) 395-7223

Eastern District Offices

Moncton District Office:
246 Lutz Street
Moncton, NB E1C 5G3
Telephone: (506) 863-2650
Fax: (506) 863-2662

Richibucto District Office:
85 Acadie Street
Richibucto, NB E4W 3V2
Telephone: (506) 523-4479
Fax: (506) 523-4086

Sackville District Office:
8 Main Street
Sackville, NB E4L 4A3
Telephone: (506) 364-8813
Fax: (506) 364-0183

Central District Offices

Fredericton District Office:
318 Maple Street
Fredericton, NB E3A 3R4
Telephone: (506) 458-8445
Fax: (506) 454-7522

Woodstock District Office:
110 Richmond Street, Unit 10
Woodstock, NB E7M 2N9
Telephone: (506) 328-8881
Fax: (506) 328-3180

Easter Seals New Brunswick (CRCD)
65 Brunswick Street
Fredericton, N.B. E3B 1G5
Telephone: (506) 458-8739 (voice/TTY)
Fax: (506) 457-2863
E-mail: esmodnb@nb.aibn.com
Website: www.nbeastersealmarchofdimes.ca/

This non-profit organization has a major program to provide financial assistance and/or to recycle a wide variety of rehabilitation equipment to persons with physical disabilities. Items include mobility aids, communication devices, personal care assistive devices for feeding and dressing, environmental controls, breathing assistance, orthotics, portable ramps, pain control devices, bathroom aids, special mattresses/pads and computers, and orthopedic equipment.

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (Atlantic Division)
71 Ilsley Avenue, Unit 12
Dartmouth, N.S. B3B 1L5
Telephone: (902) 468-8230 / 1-800-268-7582
Fax: (902) 468-5328
E-mail: info.atlantic@mssociety.ca
Website: www.mssociety.ca/atlantic

The Equipment Provision Program assists individuals in purchasing specific equipment.

Funded equipment includes:

• Mobility and assistive devices
• Minor home modifications
• Bathroom equipment (accessibility and safety devices)
• Equipment repair
• Air conditioners

Please contact the Coordinator of Client Services if you have questions regarding types of equipment funded.

The Special Assistance Program has been designed to meet essential quality of life needs faced by persons with MS. Funding is provided for incontinence products and Lifeline.

The Special Assistance Program ? Transportation assists with costs associated with attending unexpected medically necessary appointments which required long distance travel, or emergency transportation. Please note that all travel plans must be approved before travel is made in order to be eligible for funding.

Muscular Dystrophy Canada
56 Avonlea Court, Suite 203
Fredericton, N.B. E3C 1N8
Telephone: (506) 450-6322
Toll Free: 1-888-647-6322
Fax: (506) 458-2205
E-mail: judy.spink@muscle.ca
Website: www.muscle.ca

Muscular Dystrophy Canada provides, to people registered with them, basic medical equipment, on loan, from a stock of recycled devices such as scooters, manual and electric wheelchairs, and hospital beds. Some funding assistance may be available for the purchase of new equipment. If a request is made for a device that the Association does not cover, or only partially covers, Muscular Dystrophy Canada staff may be able to suggest other sources of funding.

Union of New Brunswick Indians
385 Wilsey Road, Comp 44
Fredericton, N.B. E3B 5N6
Telephone: (506) 458-9444
Fax: (506) 458-2850

E-mail: lobby@unbi.org

Status Indians are able to access rehabilitation equipment through programs available through Non-insured Health Benefits, Health Canada.

For More Funding Options Visit: http://wheelchair.ca/canfund.php