Diet Supplements - Nutritional Subsidy Program

Provided by Government of British Columbia

Assists recipients to meet costs associated with an unusually expensive therapeutic diet that is required as a result of a specific medical condition.
Provides a monthly diet supplement to assist recipients of income assistance, disability assistance, and hardship assistance with the costs of a therapeutic diet required for specific medical conditions, such as restricted sodium diet, diabetes, kidney dialysis, gluten-free diet, dysphagia, cystic fibrosis, ketogenic diet, low phenylalanine diet (PKU), and high protein diet for specific medical conditions. The exact monthly amounts provided are detailed in the Rate Table for Health Supplements and Programs – Diet Supplements.

A high-protein diet supplement may be provided if confirmed by a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, or registered dietitian as necessary for specific medical conditions, including cancer (during treatment), chronic inflammatory bowel disease, HIV/AIDS, chronic bacterial infection, tuberculosis, hyperthyroidism, osteoporosis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Supplements are not issued for conditions outside this list, even with medical confirmation.

The special diet must be required as a result of one of the following specific medical conditions or special dietary needs (and amount of funding):
  • Restricted Sodium Diet (Max. amount of $15 per month)
  • Diabetes (Max. amount of $60 per month)
  • Kidney dialysis (Max. amount of $50 per month)
  • Gluten-free diet (Max. amount of $65 per month)
  • Dysphagia (Max. amount of $65 per month)
  • Cystic Fibrosis (Max. amount of $80 per month)
  • Ketogenic Diet (Max. amount of $65 per month)
  • Low Phenylalanine Diet (PKU) (Max. amount of $65 per month)
  • High Protein Diet for specific medical conditions (Max. amount of $65 per month)(see below for more information)

Click here for more information.

To be eligible for a diet supplement, recipients must provide written confirmation of the need for the diet supplement from a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner or registered dietitian. This information should include the specific medical condition, the diet required, and the expected duration of need. The ministry is not responsible for any fees associated with the documentation required.

In cases where the recipient has already provided sufficient medical information that enables the ministry to confirm eligibility for a diet supplement, the need for new medical documentation may be waived.
Recipients with more than one medical condition are only eligible to receive the diet supplement with the highest dollar value. If required, recipients eligible for high protein or dysphasia diet supplements may also be provided with assistance towards the purchase of a blender. [For maximum rates, see Rate Table: Health Supplements and Programs – Diet Supplements.]

A diet supplement may be authorized for the period it is expected to last based on the medical information received up to a maximum of 12 months for acute (short-term) conditions and 24 months for chronic (ongoing, recurring, long-term) conditions. Prior to the discontinuance of any diet supplement, a review of existing medical information will be conducted to confirm the continuing need, and updated medical documentation will only be requested where necessary. In cases where the medical documentation confirms the diet supplement is required for chronic or ongoing medical conditions, the need for updated documentation may be waived..

The following recipients are eligible for diet supplements:
  • persons receiving income assistance, disability assistance or hardship assistance as long as they are not in receipt of another nutrition-related supplement
  • persons receiving a natal supplement if the dietary needs are unrelated to pregnancy
  • children in the Child in Home of Relative (CIHR) Program
  • dependants of persons residing in a special care facility
  • persons receiving a grandparented tribunal award under Schedule C, Section 2(3) that is not a nutrition-related supplement

Website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content...

Cost: Fees may apply

Referral options:

  • Physician or nurse practitioner referral
  • Health professional referral
Associated Programs/Services

Also offered by Government of British Columbia:

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Availability

Service area: Province-wide

Service Types Provided
Condition Specific Support
Ways to Access
  • Includes the provision of funding
  • Provided online: email / video / on-line

The listing of this service in Pathways is not a recommendation or endorsement by Pathways.

Pathways does not provide medical advice. If you have an emergency please call 9-1-1. If you require assistance navigating services please call 8-1-1.

For general inquiries or for assistance, please email us:

community-services@pathwaysbc.ca

If you are requesting clinical access to medical Pathways, please provide the following information via the email above:

  1. First Name
  2. Last Name
  3. Email
  4. In which city/town do you work?
  5. What is your role? E.g. Family Physician, Office Staff, Medical Resident
  6. Employer Name (for office staff)
  7. Office Phone

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