Individualized Funding

What is Individualized Funding

Individualized Funding (IF) is a payment option for people served by Community Living BC (CLBC). IF lets you use the money given to you by CLBC to create new, different kinds of services that will support you in your community. With IF the person can be their own Agent or choose a trusted family member or friend to be the Agent.

The Agent can access the funding in two ways:

1. Direct Funding

Agent (person) is the employer.
Agent can hire & employ staff, or hire a contractor.
Agent can hire staff as employees or, in certain cases, hire staff as contractors. This is not something you get to choose – it is up to you to determine whether or not the Canada Revenue Agency, Employment Standards, and WorkSafe BC would see your staff as contractors or employees. For more information about this topic, please connect with your Vela Mentor and/or attend one of our webinars on this topic.
Funds provided directly to the Agent.
Funds do not impact the Agent’s personal taxes.
May be subject to audits by CLBC.

2. Host Agency Funding

Agency is the employer.
Agency can hire & employ staff.
Person (Agent) has contract with Agency.
Host Agency administers funding.
Host Agency submits financial reports to Agent & CLBC every 3 months.

You may also choose to have a Microboard or Person Centred Society to assist with planning, problem solving, advocacy, and monitoring. Vela provides information, support, and guidance for those interested in IF, Person Centred Societies and/or Microboards.

Things to Consider:

Indvidualized Funding allows you to arrange and manage your own services. The supports and services delivered through Individualized Funding will allow you to create a service that:

Is new or replaces an existing service.
Is reflective of the individual, putting into practice person-centred thinking.
Is creative, flexible and innovative.

Individualized Funding Cannot be Used to:

Purchase space in an existing service/program.
Expand an existing service/program.
Sub-contract to an agency or organization to hire support workers or caregivers.
For direct-funded agreements only – staffed or shared living contracts.

How to Proceed

If you decide to proceed, contact us and request our assistance. A Vela Mentor will help you with the following (depending on your choice of Direct or Host Agency Funding):

Exploring your IF options.
Person-centered planning.
Facilitated problem solving.
Service development.
Budget creation.
Sample employment documents.
Legal information and education.
Negotiation support.
Networking opportunities.

View our

Services

General Support

Person led planning assistance.
Information on Direct Funded vs Host Agency IF options.
Support with development of a personal support plan and/or proposal for funding.
Assistance to understand CLBC’s IF policy, contract obligations, service terms and conditions, service standards, and reporting obligations.
Information, templates, samples, events, and resources for managing self-directed support contracts.

Funding Support

Explore options available for funding and support.
Assistance to work with CLBC to obtain an IF contract.
Information about what is available for funding and how funding decisions are made.
Budget creation for Direct Funded Agents.
Support with development of a personal support plan and/or proposal for funding.
Mentorship with online CLBC reports.

Employer Support

Information on determining if workers are employees or contractors.
Support and information to set up as an employer.
Information on WorkSafe BC, Employment Standards, Criminal Records Review Program, and Canada Revenue Agency – including how to obtain relevant accounts.
Free events, webinars, and documentation to support being an employer.

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