Month: January 2014

We know about material funding and why we want to use it.  Now we need to smooth the process.

Remember the basic steps:

• Have your Consultant fill out the Justification for Equipment and Supplies Form (CF0908).
• Wait for approval (recommended by the AFU, but not required)
• Send in the Reimbursement for Autism Expenses form (CF0926) along with original receipts
• As one parent pointed out, you can purchase the item first and send in the Reimbursement form immediately after sending the Justification form. It is not a requirement to receive the approval letter first

If the item in question is on the ineligible list or you think you are likely to be turned down, make an initial request and wait for the rejection from the AFU clerk.  It’s only when you appeal the decision that it will go up the food chain to someone with more authority. The sooner you initially apply, the sooner you will be rejected and the sooner you can start the appeal process. Again this is a completely bizarre procedure, but here are a few things you can do on the appeal to smooth the way:

• Have a professional (Behaviour Consultant and/or Doctor) write a letter justifying why your child needs this piece of equipment or supplies
• Make sure your reasoning is sound and related to the autism program

To file an appeal simply write (or email) the AFU citing the rejection and outlining your reasons why it should be allowed. Cite any relevant research and include details you feel are appropriate.

The AFU stipulates that the reimbursement forms must be received within 6 months of the date of purchase to be considered.  It’s OK for them to drag their feet and delay payment, but heaven forbid you should save your paperwork and send it all in together for the entire funding year.

It’s very easy to completely lose track of your funding with all the forms, letters and receipts coming and going.  I highly recommend that you have a tracking system in place to see how much of your funding you have left.  Please don’t leave anything on the table.  Your tracking system could be a spreadsheet or simply a piece of paper. Whatever it is, make sure you use it every time.

If you have been turned down for an item and your friend had it approved, you might consider asking them (nicely!) if you can quote their experience to the AFU.

A few other points to consider:

• The purchase date must be within the funding year (i.e. starting the month following your child’s birthday)
• Send in original receipts and make copies for your records
• Save at least a few months of receipts and send them in together to lessen the paperwork (keeping in mind that the reimbursement forms must be received within 6 months of the date of purchase)

That’s the end of the 3 part series on material funding.  We would all like to hear your experiences by posting in the comments section.  Anything that you can pass on would be greatly appreciated by other parents.

The previous post outlined the absurd policies of the Autism Funds Unit (AFU) when it comes to material funding.  There are only two logical explanations for such bizarre rules:

• The government bureaucracy is trying to justify its existence and maintain a large workforce or
• They are trying to ensure that you don’t spend your funds which are then returned to the government and undoubtedly used for bonuses for the department heads who underspend their budgets.

OK, so why bother using material funding at all?  Most people will easily fill their yearly funding allowance with behaviour intervention for their child.

One reason is if you are on a shoestring budget and simply have no money left for autism therapy, then you must somehow manage the yearly autism funds to cover intervention, training and materials.

The majority of us spend well in excess of the available autism funds.  In this case you are better off to claim the maximum allowable ($1,200 or $4,400) for material funding.  The reason is that funds spent out of your pocket for intervention can be used as a medical expense on your annual income tax.  This could result in a refund as much as 20% of the total depending on your income level.  Money spent on material goods in support of an autism therapy program are ineligible as a medical expense (Yes, this has been tested in the Tax Court of Canada).

So what can you use your funds for?  It’s a bit of a challenge to spend your entitlement, but here are some ideas:

• Flash cards
• Reinforcement toys
• General supplies such as pens, pencils, paper, binders, clips, staples
• Printers
• Printer supplies
• One computer or iPad or Touch Screen device every three years
• CDs or DVDs relating to the therapy program
• Travel to and from autism intervention (round trip greater than 80 kms) or training
• Autism conferences
• Computer programs (remember to justify their use) such as Microsoft Office or autism specific programs
• iPad apps (again justify their use)
• Arts and crafts
• Books
• Membership for the Canucks Autism Network

If you know of any other items that can be claimed, please let us know in the comments section.

There is no reason why your purchases must be made in Canada.  With all the high priced help in the Autism Funds Unit, I’m sure they can calculate exchange rates.

Nothing in the AFU guidance indicates that the purchase must be a new product.  As long as you have a proper receipt, I see no reason that the purchase can’t be “pre-owned”.

Next post:

• Tips for managing material funding

Most of us are aware that 20% of our child’s autism funding can be used for materials. It sounds simple on paper, but try following the next example.

A pencil is required for your child’s therapy. The steps you will follow are:

• Price the pencil out at a store of your choice
• Hire a Behaviour Consultant at the going rate ($100/hour?) to complete the Justification for Equipment and Supplies Form (CF0908)
• Send the form to the Autism Funds Unit (AFU) and wait for approval
• The AFU recommends that you receive approval before purchasing the pencil
• After a long delay, you will receive approval in the mail to purchase said product
• You will then purchase the pencil!
• The next step is to send the original receipt (no fax or email here!) to the AFU along with the Reimbursement for Autism Expenses form (CF0926)
• After a long delay, you will then receive a cheque from the government to cover the expense of the pencil (assuming the delays didn’t mean you purchased the pencil outside of the funding year!)