Alberta

Family Support for Children with Disabilities

Complex application

Tax filing not required

The Family Support for Children with Disabilities program provides financial support and health care benefits to children living with disabilities.

Families who are eligible for the program may receive:

  • Help with some of the costs to take your child to medical appointments such as parking, mileage, meals, accommodation, and sibling care.
  • Help with clothing or footwear that relates to your child’s disability.
  • Counselling.
  • Respite services in or outside your home to give you a temporary break.
  • Help from aides who provide personal care, community, behavioral or developmental support.
  • Help with some costs for medications, prescribed diets, ambulance, or medical supplies.
  • Specialized services for children with severe disabilities.
  • Help planning your child’s transition during key changes or life events.

To learn more about the benefits and support offered in this program, visit this page, or contact the FSCD offices.

Age and residency criteria:

  • Your child with a disability must be under 18 years.
  • Your child must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
  • The person applying for the program must be the child’s parent or guardian.
  • The child must reside in Alberta.

You must also have a medical diagnosis showing your child’s condition is:

  • Chronic
  • a developmental, physical, sensory, mental or neurological condition or impairment
  • a health condition that impacts their daily living activities such as eating, grooming, walking, interacting with others, playing and problem solving

The diagnosis must not be a condition for which the primary need is for medical care or health services.

Social Insurance Number

For example:

  • confirmation of SIN letter
  • plastic SIN card (non-expired)

Health card

For example:

  • valid health card with no photo, name and address
  • valid health card with photo, name and address
  • MCP (Medical Care Plan) number
  • Valid ambulance/dental services card
  • Department of Immigration, Skills and Labour identification number
  • Department of Immigration, Skills and Labour file number (Income Support Card).

  1. Step 1: Use the online application through myAlbertaSupports.ca
  • Creating a secure account if you do not have one.
  • Choosing the Family Support for Children with Disabilities application.
  • Filling it out online and submitting it.
  1. Step 2: Get Medical documentation A Disability Services worker will need more information to decide if you are eligible for the program. Please send documentation that support your application, such as:

  • documentation to show your child's age and citizenship, such as:

    • birth certificate or record of birth
    • permanent resident or citizenship card
    • record of landing
    • passport

  • Get a letter or report from a health professional who has diagnosed your child’s disability. It may be written by, or on behalf of a:

    • Physician or psychiatrist.
    • Physical or occupational therapist, speech and language pathologist or audiologist.
    • Clinical social worker or psychologist.

  • You are responsible for any fees the health professional charges to prepare the letter or report. It must include:

    • Your child’s name and date of birth.
    • The diagnosis as either an existing disability or a condition or impairment that may lead to a disability.
    • Information about the disability, how it affects your child’s daily functioning and whether it will have long-term implications.
    • The date the diagnosis was made – it should be current within 2 years.
    • The name of the physician or health professional who made the diagnosis.
  1. Step 3: Complete your application
    • Gather the medical documentation needed for your FSCD application.
  • Make copies for your files.
  • Bring, mail or email the medical documentation to the nearest FSCD office.

Please Note: If you have more than one child who may be eligible, you must complete a separate application for each.

Last updated: January 9, 2024