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Financial assistance in your region

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People living with hepatitis C may have difficulty working if their illness becomes severe or the side effects of treatment become difficult. Different programs are available to help cover costs of living for people in these situations. Income assistance (also referred to as financial or social assistance) is for people who need help paying for basic necessities, such as food, shelter, clothing and health care. Applicants may want to discuss their health status with their case worker so they can get the most financial and social support possible.

 
Programs in New Brunswick

Social Assistance

In New Brunswick, the Department of Social Development provides Social Assistance to eligible residents who need help covering the costs of food, clothing, rent and medicine. A person may qualify for either the interim, transitional or extended benefits program, depending on their financial need and ability to work. The transitional and extended benefits programs are for people who are unable to work because of a temporary or chronic illness or disability. The amount of money a person can receive every month depends on several factors, including their income level and the size of their household. When people receive social assistance, they may also be able to get help paying for health-care costs, including prescription drugs. To apply, people can contact their local Social Development office or call 1-866-444-8838.

If people are receiving Social Assistance and require help finding job training or employment, they can ask about Employment Assistance Services (EAS) to see if there is a program to meet their needs.

Additional non-financial benefits, such as having a home support worker or receiving personal living skills training from other government programs such as the Disability Support Program (DSP), are available to assist eligible people with their medical needs. People can talk to their case worker to find out if they qualify for such supports. The sometimes-disabling symptoms of chronic hepatitis C may or may not be considered a disability.

If a person disagrees with a decision that has been made about their Social Assistance application, they can file an appeal to have their case reviewed. Having the assistance of a community advocate can usually help with this process.

 
Programs in Canada

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

CPP is normally for people who have retired from working, but if a person has a medical disability, he or she may be able to receive monthly pensions before turning 65 from CPP Disability. A person must have worked in the past and paid CPP contributions (this is a standard deduction on most paychecks). The application must be accompanied by a detailed medical assessment confirming the medical condition. Often a person must appeal a negative decision for CPP disability before the application is approved.

Employment Insurance (EI)

EI is a program for people who have stopped working because they were laid off, had a baby or are too sick to work. Eligibility is based on the number of hours a person has worked, whether they have been on EI before, and what the unemployment rate is. It is usually a shorter-term program but can help while people are waiting for other programs, such as disability pensions. EI Regular Benefits can last almost a year while EI Sick Benefits generally last about 15 weeks. The amount of money a person can receive is based on a percentage of their income from their most recent job.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Many employers have employee benefits that can provide short-term disability benefits or a disability pension. Some may even have EAPs that provide counselling and financial planning. The person should enquire through the personnel or HR department. All such enquiries are kept confidential but the employee will have to disclose some personal medical information.

Published 2010.