British Columbia

SAJE Health and Wellness Supports

Easy application

Tax filing not required

The Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment (SAJE) program offers a number of supports to eligible youth and young adults. This page focuses on Health and Wellness Supports.

The following benefits may be available to eligible young adults participating in the SAJE program:

Dental:

$1,000 per calendar year.

Optical:

$600 every two years, including coverage of exams, glasses and contact lenses. Mental Health and Counselling Benefit:

  • $1,500 per calendar year to use towards mental health and counselling services.
  • For more details about the types of services you can access go to the SAJE Mental Health and Counselling Benefit FAQ.
  • Medical Services Plan (MSP), which includes coverage for:
    • Medically required services provided by a physician, or a specialist (such as a surgeon, anesthetist, psychiatrist or ophthalmologist when referred by a physician);
    • Emergency ambulance transportation by BC Ambulance Service;
    • Maternity care;
    • Diagnostic services, including x-rays and laboratory services, provided at approved diagnostic facilities when ordered by a registered physician, podiatrist, dental surgeon or oral surgeon;
  • Dental and oral surgery, when medically required to be performed in hospital; and
  • Therapies, up to 10 visits per year for any physiotherapy, chiropractic, naturopathy, massage and non-surgical podiatry services (MSP contributes $23 for each visit. Any additional amount for therapies may be charged if the practitioner's fee is higher than the amount they get from MSP).
  • MSP does not provide coverage for services not deemed medically required, or services of counsellors or psychologists. Instead, coverage for counsellors or psychologists is provided through the SAJE Mental Health and Counselling Benefit.
  • PharmaCare Plan C:
    • 100% coverage of eligible prescription costs, including the dispensing fee. Under this plan, benefits are obtained by providing your personal health number or Care Card to the pharmacist. For prescriptions not regularly covered by PharmaCare, the physician may request special authority directly from PharmaCare for an exception.

Further information about the SAJE Health and Wellness Supports can be found in the Medical Benefits FAQ.

If you meet the following eligibility criteria, you will be able to access SAJE Health and Wellness Supports:

  • Age: 19-26 (up to 27th birthday)
  • Agreement type: must be on the [Unconditional Income Support, Conditional Income Support] (link to BW SAJE Income Support page), [SAJE Housing Agreement] (link to BW SAJE Housing page), or [SAJE Support Agreement] (link to main BW SAJE page].

You can also use the SAJE Eligibility Check Form to learn which supports you may be eligible for.

To get more information about the SAJE program contact the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) by:

Phone: 1-866-623-3001 Email: [email protected]

Proof of legal status

A document showing citizenship or immigration status in Canada. For example:

  • citizenship certificate
  • confirmation document
  • record of landing, confirmation of permanent residence;
    • permanent resident card
    • visitor record
    • temporary resident permit
    • study permit
  • positive notice of decision
  • verification of status document
  • registration date with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
  • passport
  • foreign passport

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

Contact a SAJE Guide or MCFD’s SAJE Provincial Support Services (SPSS) to find out more information about the Health and Wellness Supports at:

Phone: 1-866-623-3001 Email: [email protected]

ICFSAs may also have dedicated workers to assist Indigenous youth with planning for their transition to adulthood and accessing the SAJE program. If you are looking for an ICFSA please visit Indigenous Child and Family Service Agencies/Delegated Aboriginal Agencies in BC - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca).

For Mental Health and Counselling Benefits, you will also need to complete a Request for SAJE Mental Health and Counselling Benefits Form to have your mental health and counselling services covered.

For more information, visit the SAJE Mental Health and Counselling Benefit FAQ.

Last updated: May 30, 2025