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.
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
Eligibility
The following 5 criteria must be met:
- Adult (19+) with lived/living experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges
- Resident of the City of Vancouver
- Unable to cover essential costs due to an unexpected circumstance
- Has not received a Crisis Grant bursary within the last 2 years
- Referred by a health care worker (a professional worker who provides services related to mental health and/or substance use)
Apply Now for the CIF Crisis Grant
How to Apply
Deadline
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 1pm
*Only eligible applications that are fully completed and received by deadline will be included in the draw*
Referral
Referral is required by a current health care worker who must:
- Complete and submit the application form on behalf of their client
- Pick up the cash grant and deliver to 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
Draws are held every 2nd and 4th Tuesday
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 5pm 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 starting at 9am on Wednesday, one week following the application deadline.
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)