British Columbia

Alternative Hearing Assistance Supplement

Complex application

Tax filing not required

The Alternative Hearing Assistance Supplement may provide a monthly stipend to assist eligible individuals to meet costs associated with overcoming barriers related to having permanent profound bilateral hearing loss.

The alternative hearing assistance supplement may be provided to an eligible person if all of the following criteria are met:

The person has permanent profound hearing loss in both ears.

  • The person cannot significantly benefit from a hearing instrument for the purpose of speech comprehension.
  • An audiologist or a hearing instrument practitioner registered with the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC, within the last 12 months, has:
    • Performed an assessment to confirm permanent profound hearing loss in both ears.
    • Provided an opinion that the person cannot significantly benefit from a hearing instrument for the purpose of speech comprehension.

The alternative hearing assistance supplement may not be provided if the person received a hearing instrument from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction under the medical equipment hearing instrument supplement, or from another source, in the previous 36 months, unless an audiologist or hearing instrument practitioner has confirmed that the person has developed permanent profound hearing loss in both ears since receiving the hearing instrument.

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).

Proof of  residency in Province

For example:

  • lease agreement
  • rent receipt
  • household bill
    • gas
    • electricity
    • cable television
    • telephone
  • driver's license
  • vehicle registration or car insurance
  • membership in social or professional organization
  • Other:
    • bank information
    • employment information

Social Insurance Number

For example:

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

Alternative hearing assistance supplement requests must be submitted with an assessment from an audiologist, or a hearing instrument practitioner registered with the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC, within the last 12 months to confirm permanent profound hearing loss in both ears.

To request the alternative hearing assistance supplement, the person’s hearing health professional should contact Pacific Blue Cross to start the process of determining eligibility.

To assess a person’s eligibility for the alternative hearing assistance supplement, Pacific Blue Cross follows these steps:

  • Confirms the person’s eligibility to apply for the supplement.
  • Where eligibility is confirmed, Pacific Blue Cross advises the hearing health professional what supporting documentation is required.
  • Once all supporting documents have been received, PBC reviews the request and determines eligibility.
  • PBC notifies the person of the decision in writing.

All alternative hearing assistance supplement documentation should be sent directly from the hearing health professional to Pacific Blue Cross.

Last updated: March 18, 2021