Financial assistance for people with diabetes

If you live with diabetes, you may have higher health care-related costs than people without diabetes. Financial assistance programs can help offset some of the costs associated with diabetes management.

Various financial assistance programs are offered by governments, communities and groups across Canada. These programs may differ from province to province and eligibility criteria for each program are unique.

Understanding financial assistance

While Diabetes Canada monitors the health of financial assistance programs and advocates for improvements, we do not directly offer funding or financial aid.

Diabetes Canada does not cover financial costs but can guide you to appropriate resources. Check your province's available programs.

If you are receiving ODSP benefits, visit Ontario Disability Support Program to learn more about financial assistance for necessity programs.

Provincial financial assistance programs

For information about federal, provincial and territorial programs, visit Provincial and Territorial Public Drug Benefit Programs or contact your nearest government service centre. You can also talk to your healthcare team about other available assistance programs.

For Ontario residents, you may also be eligible for the Ontario Monitoring for Health Program, which helps Ontarians with diabetes manage the cost of blood glucose monitoring supplies.

Disability benefits

As a person living with diabetes, you may also qualify for disability benefits. There is no standard definition of “disability” in Canada; each federal, provincial or territorial government program or private insurer may interpret “disability” differently and set its own rules for eligibility.

For most programs, eligibility is based on how your disease/disability affects your ability to work, participate in society, etc. Your eligibility is not based on which disease or disability you have.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefit

This monthly amount is available to Canadians (under 65 years of age) who have become unable to work because of a disability. In order to qualify, you must have paid into CPP while you were working.

To be eligible for CPP, your disability must be “severe” and “prolonged”. CPP defines a “severe” disability as one that prevents you from doing your former job, or any other job, on a regular basis.

Diabetes normally will not qualify you for the CPP disability; however, if you are experiencing certain diabetes-related complications that have affected your ability to work, you may qualify.

Eligibility is determined by CPP medical adjudicators based on information submitted in your application and supporting documentation.

Our role in advocacy

Diabetes Canada recognizes the significant gaps in existing financial assistance programs for people living with diabetes which often leave individuals struggling to afford essential medications, devices, and care.

To address these challenges, we advocate for improved access to financial services and equitable support for Canadians affected by diabetes. Our 2024 Impact Report highlights the progress we've made in advancing this mission while showcasing the tangible impact of our advocacy efforts.

We also invite you to learn more about how donations support our work by visiting Funding accountability. Together, we’re driving change to make diabetes management more accessible and affordable for everyone.