CIF Crisis Grant

The Crisis Grant is intended to assist consumers of mental health and substance use services who are experiencing significant financial strain due to unexpected circumstances. Each grant is in the amount of $85 and the funds are provided in the form of cash.

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About the Crisis Grant

The Consumer Initiative Fund (CIF) provides funding to support individuals who are unable to cover essential costs due to an unexpected circumstance.

The Crisis Grant is reserved to provide financial assistance when no other funding sources are available.

12 grants of $85 are available each month. Health care workers must apply on behalf of their clients. Applications are selected by random draw twice per month.

What is an Unexpected Circumstance?

CIF Definition

A situation that is:

  • sudden
  • unforeseen
  • out of the ordinary

And results in:

  • unexpected loss of income
  • sudden, essential, and unexpected expenses

Examples that Qualify

  • loss of a job
  • loss of a volunteer honorarium
  • inability to work due to health reasons
  • death in the family
  • pest eradication
  • theft
  • moving costs

Situations that do not Qualify

  • ongoing mismanagement of finances
  • expenses that were not impacted by unexpected events
  • costs related to non-essential items/activities
  • planned expenses that were anticipated in advance

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Eligibility

The following 5 criteria must be met:

  1. Adult (19 years or older) with lived/living experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges
  2. Resident of the City of Vancouver
  3. Unable to cover essential costs due to an unexpected circumstance
  4. Has not received a Crisis Grant bursary within the last 2 years
  5. Referred by a health care worker (a professional worker who provides services related to mental health and/or substance use)

How to Apply

Deadline

1pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of

every month

Referral

Clients must be referred by a current health care worker who completes and submits the application form on behalf of their client

Submit

By email to Megan.Thomas@vch.ca

Please password protect the application before submitting to secure your client’s personal information

Additional Information

Selection Process

Eligible applications are drawn randomly

6 grants are awarded every 2 weeks (12 per month)

If a grant is not awarded and the referrer would like to reapply, a new application form must be completed and submitted for a future grant deadline

Notification

All referring health care workers will be notified of the draw result by 1pm on the Tuesday following each deadline

Grant Pickup

The referring health care worker is responsible for picking up the funds and must be able to follow up with their client to ensure the funds are received

Grants are available for pick up at 1pm on the Tuesday following the application deadline (2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month)

The person specified to pick up the grant should give reception staff their name and tell them they are picking up a Crisis Grant (staff will ask to see ID)

Pickup Location

Vancouver Coastal Health
200-520 W 6th Ave, 2nd floor reception

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm (excluding holidays)

Questions?

Please contact:

Megan Thomas (works Tuesday-Thursday)

604-714-3771 ext 2239 (voicemail only)

Megan.Thomas@vch.ca