If you have a child 16 years or younger with autism and have a low-income, you might qualify for a one-time payment of up to $3,000 from the provincial government.

The Autism Family Support Fund will cover expenses such as:

– safety equipment, such as door alarms and minor home improvements, such as gates, and fences
– education materials and training for caregivers (including manuals)
– augmentative communication devices
– respite costs
– travel for intervention or diagnostic services or medical appointments outside a child’s home community
– programming for children, such as social recreational opportunities, camps, school tutoring.

“We are pleased to be able to help more families and caregivers of children with autism who need extra support,” said Brian Comer, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health. “With this new fund, we’re able to give Nova Scotia families a little extra help with some of these out-of-pocket expenses.”

To qualify for funding, a family’s income must be below maximums listed in the fund guidelines. The amounts vary by family size. For example, the income threshold for a family of three is $51,029, and for a family of four, it is $58,310.

The fund an initiative of the Office of Addictions and Mental Health and administered by the IWK, has $1 million available.

There is no application deadline but once the money is given out, applications will no longer be accepted. Families are encouraged to apply by February 23, with applications reviewed in March.

More information on the fund and how to apply is available at: https://iwkhealth.ca/autism-family-support-fund