Medical Transportation

This program is designed to help and assist UNB members travelling to and from medical, dental, and specialty appointments out of town and off reserve.
We administer the Health Canada Patient Travel Program and will assist members in coordinating travel to and from medical appointments.

Covid-19 Update:

Income Assistance will process renewals for existing clients through

Over the phone by pre-booking a renewal phone call.
To schedule a time please call 250.378.5058

Must provide direct deposit form to Finance Department for monthly IA cheque deposits. New Applications will be accepted by telephone appointment only.

Income Assistance Provides:

Basic On Reserve Income Assistance
Person with Persistent Multiple Barriers
Persons with Disabilities
New – Monthly Nutritional Supplement
Adult In-Home Care (income tested)
Child Out of Parental Home (Grandfather Clause only)

Basic Income Assistance:

Income assistance is temporary funds to assist with basic needs of food and shelter until one is able to regain financial independence. The program is income tested. When calling to make an appointment please keep in mind it takes 7-10 business days to process a complete application. If forms or information is missing from the file, it will delay processing.

Eligibility for Basic Income Assistance:

Must be between the ages of 19 and 64
Must provide proof of financial need
Live on one of the Upper Nicola Band Reserves.
Applicant can be status or non-status, and does not need to be a band member

How to Apply for Income Assistance:

Call and make an appointment – 250.378.5058

During the COVID-19 outbreak, we will only be contacting clients through phone and email in order to respect the Physical Distancing required to minimize the spread.

Pick up application package at local Health Department. During the Covid-19 outbreak, you must call to schedule pickup of a package.

Definition of Income:

Earned income – wages, rent payments to you, fishing, carving, self-employed income

Unearned income – EI, honorariums, Worker’s Compensation payments, ICBC claims, Bingo or gambling winnings

Keeping Your File Open:

Hand in a signed Renewal slip (if you have a partner – they need to sign form, too)
Hand in a copy of your monthly active Employment Action Plan
If you get a notice from the IA worker about missing information, ensure the information is into the worker ASAP so as not to delay monthly Income Assistance cheque
Update your worker on any changes to your situation or income

Persons with Multiple Barriers (PPMB):

Must have an active income assistance file for 12 out of 15 consecutive months
The medical condition must exist for a minimum of 2 years
You will need to pick up the form from your Band Social Development Worker and return to him or her when completed by your doctor
The program will pay the service charge from the doctor so please make sure his billing information is completed
The file is reviewed every 2 years

Persons with Disabilities (PWD):

Medical condition will exist for more than 2 years
Your Band Social Development worker will need to request the form

When you get the form have your medical doctor fill in his section and you will need to complete your section. The program will pay the service charge from the doctor so please make sure his billing information is complete. When completed return to your BSDW for him or her to complete their section and mail out for adjudication. Watch the mail for the letter informing you of the decision.

Employable clients = Employable clients are allowed to earn $400/month without it being deducted from your support/IA.

Shelter Rates:

The shelter rate is equal to off reserve income assistance rates. The payment is for actual documented costs for:

Rent/ mortgage payments
Hydro
Heat
Basic telephone rental

Monthly Nutritional Supplement:

The Monthly Nutritional Supplement allowances are available to PWD classified clients only.
These clients must have a chronic, progressive deterioration of their health, due to severe medical conditions. The extra funds of the Monthly Nutritional Supplement allowance assists with the costs of additional nutritional items that supplement the clients regular diet. In order to be eligible, the client must ensure they have no other funds available to cover these dietary supplements; as well as be on Income Assistance.

Please note that to be eligible for this allowance, a proper application must be filled in by your doctor and returned to your worker for processing. The Monthly Nutritional Supplement program will pay the service charge from your doctor, so please make sure his/her billing information is completed. After returning the filled-in form to your worker, the form is mailed to an adjudicator, accompanied by note from the clients’ doctor.

The natal allowances are eligible six months before birth through six months after birth.