Gabriola Island

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):

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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: