Funding and Equipment in BC: The At Home Program, Red Cross Loans, and Where to Buy

Equipment is one of the first things that changes when you move provinces: different funding programs, different vendors, different paperwork. Here's what we've learned about getting equipment in BC.

Last checked October 2026. Confirm eligibility and amounts with each program.

The At Home Program

The At Home Program is a BC government program for families of children with severe disabilities or complex care needs. It offers medical benefits (which can include equipment and supplies) and respite benefits.

To be eligible, a child must:

• Be 0 to 17 years old
• Live in BC, be enrolled in MSP, and live at home with a parent or guardian
• Be assessed as needing help with at least three of four daily activities: eating, dressing, toileting, and washing

Medical benefits continue until the end of the month the youth turns 18. Children who get direct nursing care through Nursing Support Services, or who have a palliative condition, qualify for medical benefits without the assessment. You apply with help from your child's doctor or nurse practitioner. Families may be waitlisted for respite benefits, so apply early.

Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP)

The Red Cross lends short-term equipment through branches across BC: manual wheelchairs, walkers, bath seats and benches, commodes, raised toilet seats, crutches, and bed handles. Most branches need a referral from a health authority occupational therapist. Some branches, like Richmond and Surrey, also offer a "Plus" loan for hospital beds, specialty mattresses, and patient lifts. Power chairs, scooters, and tilt chairs aren't included. It's a good bridge while you wait for your own equipment.

Funds that help pay for equipment

• Cerebral Palsy Association of BC Equipment Fund: helps people with CP pay for assistive devices.
• BC Rehab Foundation: funds equipment, including recreation equipment, for people with physical disabilities. You need an assessment letter from an occupational therapist and two quotes.

Where to buy: BC vendors

In Boston, a couple of large vendors handled most of our wheelchairs and seating. In BC, these are the main names you'll hear:

• HME Home Health / HME Mobility & Accessibility: sells and rents manual and power wheelchairs, specialized seating, beds, lifts, and ramps, with locations including Richmond, North Vancouver, Surrey, Victoria, Nanaimo, and Kelowna. This is who our family uses right now. We'll share more as we get to know them.
• Motion (formerly Motion Specialties): started in Vancouver in 1985, with BC locations including Burnaby and Langley. Seating is a specialty.
• National Seating & Mobility: also has a Vancouver location.

Your OT will usually help choose a vendor and write the prescription. It's worth asking which vendors work most often with your funding program.

Custom devices

The Tetra Society of North America started in Vancouver in 1987. Volunteer engineers and technicians design one-off devices for needs that no store-bought product solves, like a custom mount, holder, or switch. There's no upfront fee, though they may ask you to help cover materials.

One wheelchair brand to know

Rehasense makes manual wheelchairs sold through Canadian dealers, from lightweight rigid frames to folding chairs. Ask your vendor or OT whether one fits your child's needs.

Using a BC vendor or funding program we didn't mention? Join the NextAbilities community to share what's worked for your family.