Cortes Island, BC

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the questions we get asked most often. Please contact us if you have additional questions for any of our programming.

Can anyone become a BAH client?
You can become a client if you are a resident of Cortes and 65 years of age or older or between 60 & 65 with mobility or health challenges.*

If you became a client between March 2021 and September 2022 the age requirement was lower. We continue to serve those clients (grandfathered in).

How do I sign up?

If you are interested in signing up to be a client, you can download the intake form here, or call 250-204-2116 to sign up over the phone. We can also email you an application (betterathomecortes@gmail.com) or mail you a hard copy if you prefer.

Is it free?

It is free for low income seniors, and market rate for seniors with an income above the BC average. The service is offered on a sliding scale, so you may pay a fee based on your income. (Cortes Island’s median household income is nearly $30,000 less than the provincial average.)

Where does the money come from?

The Government of BC, through the Ministry of Health, provides funding to the United Way to manage the Better at Home program across BC. The Support Our Seniors Society runs the program. We apply for additional grants/funding where we can to close any gaps in our program and expand the program as much as we can to support the needs in the community.

What financial information do you need when I apply?

Service fees are determined by Line 15000 (Total Income) on your Canada Revenue Agency income tax Notice of Assessment. These fees-for-service are fed back into the local program in order to serve more seniors.

When you fill in the application we will need line 15000 of your most recent tax return. Once you complete the application we confirm that you are eligible for the program. You then receive an agreement with the specific Category of subsidy.

Does it go on forever?

No, we have to re-apply every year and we have to apply for each service. The program runs from April 1, 2024-March 31

If I sign up, do I need to use all programs?

No, some clients have housekeeping help (BAH Home Support), some join the Meals on Wheels program (BAH Food Security), some use every service we offer.

Is there a waiting list?

For some services; yes. We recommend that you fill in the application and we will be able to tell you what we can start with and what has a waiting list.

Can I change my mind?

Of course, any time. If you said no to Meals on Wheels on your original application and 6 months down the road you realize you would benefit from having a nutritious delicious homemade meal on a regular basis, or some help with light housekeeping, you can just call or email and we will make those changes.

Is BAH Home Support the same as Augmented Home Care?

No, we compliment each other. Augmented Home Care provides in-home services to people of all ages experiencing long or short term medical challenges which prevent them from managing some aspects of daily living such as housekeeping, light chores, shopping and transportation to medical appointments. This program is designed to augment both Island Health Home Supports and Better at Home (but use of those services is not a requirement).

Do you have enough staff/contractors?

No, we never do. We are always looking for additional:

– housekeepers
– gardeners
– someone to help with outdoor chores
– wood stacker/splitter

We require you to sign a confidentiality agreement, submit a criminal record check (easy online application) and we pay $30/hr.

Interested to become a client? Send an email to Ester: betterathomecortes@gmail.com and I will send you an intake form (confidential) to fill in. Or call 250-204-2116 and I can help you fill in the form over the phone or take down your address so I can mail you a hard copy.

Do you know somebody who could use this service?

Please tell them about this program or let us know and we can check in with them.

Who administers this program?

The Support Our Seniors Society holds a letter of agreement with United Way. We are looking for some additional board members, if you are interested in supporting this awesome program by joining the board, please be in touch.

Our mission is to support our island seniors by coordinating programs and practical assistance. Foster self- sufficiency and independence, support self-care to stay in their homes longer, promoting health and digital literacy, food security to reduce poverty, emergency resiliency, social inclusion and enabling community connectedness.