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BC Children & Youth Disability Benefit (CYDB)
June 2026 Update
For Families Receiving Autism Funding
The information below is based on a notification emailed by the Ministry of Children and Family Development in June 2026 to families currently receiving Autism Funding regarding the transition to the new Children & Youth Disability Benefit (CYDB).
The CYDB is intended for children and youth who are likely to require intensive and sustained supports, including possible lifelong caregiving or supervised living.
As part of the CYDB eligibility review process, families are being asked to submit existing documentation that helps describe their child's current needs, functional impacts, and ongoing support requirements.
What Supporting Documentation Do I Need to Submit?
• Families are not being asked to obtain new assessments.
• Existing assessments and reports can be submitted.
• Existing reports of any age are accepted.
• Submit the most recent reports you already have available.
• The original autism diagnostic assessment can be included if available, but it is not required if you cannot locate it.
• Clinical reports are the most important supporting documents.
• Supporting information from schools, support workers, or caregivers may also be included but should ideally accompany clinical documentation.
What Types of Reports or Documents May Be Helpful?
• Autism diagnostic assessment, if available
• Psychologist reports
• Pediatrician reports
• Psychiatrist reports
• Mental health assessments
• Other clinician-completed reports describing a child's needs and support requirements
The Ministry's communication also provided examples of additional documentation families may already have available, including speech-language reports, occupational therapy reports, adaptive functioning assessments, behaviour support reports, school safety plans, hospital records, and transition planning documents.
Where Can I Find My Child's Level of Support in Your Assessment Report?
Many families have questions about the term "level of support" as described in our assessment reports.
In our diagnostic reports, autism support levels are typically described as:
• Level 1: Requiring support
• Level 2: Requiring substantial support
• Level 3: Requiring very substantial support
These levels describe the amount of support a person may require related to social communication, flexibility, behaviour, and daily functioning. The assigned support level reflects functioning and support needs at the time of the assessment and should be understood within the context of the complete assessment report.
What Areas May Be Considered During the Eligibility Review?
The Ministry's communication indicated that eligibility review may consider information related to:
• Communication
• Adaptive functioning
• Cognitive functioning
• Safety and supervision
• Behavioural complexity
• Mental health and regulation
• Medical complexity
• Future living expectations
How We Can Help
If you are unable to locate your assessment report, please contact our office. We are happy to help families obtain a copy of their previous report for submission with their supporting documentation.
Can You Provide an Additional Support Letter or Report?
Our role was to complete the diagnostic assessment. We are unable to provide additional supporting letters based solely on a review of previous records. Any updated letter or report would require a new assessment.
However, the Ministry's communication specifically states that families are not required to obtain new assessments as part of the CYDB eligibility review process and may submit existing reports and documentation.
New assessments should be considered based on a child's clinical needs rather than for the purpose of obtaining an additional support letter. For example, a family may wish to pursue an updated assessment if there are questions regarding a decline in intellectual functioning or adaptive functioning or other areas that would benefit from a current clinical evaluation.
Additional Information
BC Government FAQ for Families Eligible for Autism Funding: