BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC RAHA) Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about the BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC RAHA) program.

BC RAHA accepts applications first-come, first-served, prioritizing complete ones. Application intake is ongoing until funding runs out, it renews on April 1 of each year. Find answers to common questions about the BC RAHA Program.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions
  1. What is the BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC RAHA)?
    • RAHA helps fund home adaptations for people with low and moderate household incomes who have a permanent disability or loss of ability. This allows applicants to continue living independently in their own home
  2. Am I eligible?
  3. Is there a limit to how much money one can get?
    • Each adaptation may have limits to total rebate amount and quantity. Please refer to the Maximum Rebate Schedule Maximum Rebate Schedule for more details. Note: There is a lifetime maximum amount of $20,000
  4. Is there a deadline to apply?
    • Funding is approved based on a first come, first serve basis with priority to complete applications. The program closes on March 31 each year, or sooner if funds have been exhausted. The program re-opens for new applications on April 1
  5. How do I apply to BC RAHA?
    • Review your eligibility requirements
    • Complete the correct application form:
      • Homeowners/Co-Op Members: Homeowner completes the Homeowner Application
      • Landlord / Tenant: Each person must complete their section of the Landlord & Tenant Application
      • Occupational Therapist Physical Therapist or other medical professional complete the assessment form found within the application form (if applicable)
    • Submit completed application, including supporting documents, to BC Housing (see step 6 below)
  6. How do I submit my application and supporting documents?
    • Online: using the BC Housing Program Upload Form (www.bchousing.org/PUF)
    • By mail: BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations Program, BC Housing, 101-4555 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4V8
    • In-person: 101- 4555 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC, V5H 4V8. Storefront hours are Monday to Friday 9:00 am-4:00 pm PST (closed on holidays)
  7. Can I apply if I live with extended family or parents?
    • Yes. Eligibility is based on your living situation
      • If you own a home with your extended family, please complete a Homeowner application
      • If you live in a self-contained unit and have a rental agreement in place, please complete the Landlord/Tenant application
      • If you occupy a home and do not have a rental agreement in place with extended family, please have the Homeowner complete the Homeowner application
  8. Can I get rebates from RAHA if I have already received a payment from HAFI (former program)?
    • The maximum lifetime rebate from RAHA is $20,000 per household. HAFI funding received before April 2019 does not apply to the lifetime maximum. HAFI rebates received after April 2019 will apply to the RAHA lifetime maximum
  9. What is an authorized contact?
    • An authorized contact (such as a friend or family member) has permission from the applicant to exchange information with BC Housing. This allows us to maintain and update your file if you are not available
Property Eligibility​​​
  1. What types of properties are eligible for the rebate?
    • A single household house
    • Townhouse/row home
    • Co-operative housing (not subsidized by government)
    • Condo property (in a strata)
    • Manufactured/mobile home (paying pad rent)
    • On-reserve housing
    • Legal basement suite
    • An individual unit (not subsidized by government) in a multiple unit rental building
      • Note: Maximum of five (5) units per year eligible for BC RAHA in a multiple-unit rental building
  2. Can I apply for BC RAHA if I live in subsidized housing?
    • Any property that is owned or subsidized by government at any level is not eligible for BC RAHA. Please contact BC Housing to confirm if your address can be eligible for BC RAHA
  3. My home is under 10 years old. Is there anything I should consider?
    • If your home is less than 10 years old, there may be home warranty insurance in place. Check with your warranty provider before making any adaptations
Installations/Adaptations
  1. What adaptations are eligible under BC RAHA? 
    • A detailed list of adaptations can be found in the application form
      • All adaptations will be assessed based on how they address the applicant’s permanent disability or loss of ability
      • Medical documentation or in-home Assessment by an Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, or other medical professional may be required
    • Adaptations not listed in the RAHA Maximum Rebate Schedule can be eligible if it directly addresses a permanent disability or loss of ability. To discuss your situation, please contact BC RAHA at 604-433-2218 (Lower Mainland) or 1-800-257-7756 (Toll-Free)
      • The lifetime maximum funding per household is $20,000
  2. Can I install my own adaptations?
    • ​​​​​Yes. However, BC RAHA will pay only for material costs and will not cover, labour performed by the homeowner
  3. Am I able to request a duplicate adaptation or replacement adaptation?
  4. How do I request an extension? What if I can't find a contractor or the contractor needs more time due to unexpected delays?
    • Please contact BC RAHA to discuss: 604-433-2218 (Lower Mainland) or 1-800-257-7756 (Toll-Free)
  5. Do I need a contractor estimate?
    • You do not need to submit contractor estimates with your initial application. BC RAHA may ask you to provide estimates later depending on the cost and the type of work being done
    • If the costs exceed the maximum rebate amount or lifetime amount, you may be asked to provide one or more contractor estimates. The homeowner is responsible for any costs exceeding the maximum rebate or maximum lifetime amount
  6. Can BC RAHA provide funding for roof or window repairs?
    • No. BC RAHA does not cover replacement or maintenance of any deteriorated, substandard, leaking, or inefficient items or systems (such as windows, roofs, and HVAC systems)
Application Timelines
  1. When will I be paid for my home adaptations?
    • Our goal is to have applications assessed within 8 weeks of receiving the completed forms
  2. When will I know the status of my application?
    • ​​​​Applications are reviewed in the order they are received. A letter will be sent to your address advising whether your application has been approved, rejected or if it requires additional information
  3. Why is my BC RAHA application delayed?
    • Incomplete applications are not reviewed. To avoid these delays, please ensure your application is complete and signed by all homeowners/landlords and tenants with all required documents. You have up to 90 days to send us missing information
  4. What happens after my application is approved?
    • The landlord or homeowner will receive an approval letter from BC RAHA by mail detailing the next steps. Please note that adaptations completed before written approval from BC Housing are not eligible for a rebate
Rebates/Payments
  1. How long until I receive payment?
    • Once adaptations are complete and all necessary documents have been received by BC RAHA, the homeowner or landlord will receive payment within 3 weeks
  2. How is the payment provided?
    • The payment will be mailed as a rebate cheque to the homeowner or landlord. There may be a direct deposit option in the future
  3. How do I appeal the decision made on my application?
    • Within 30 days of receiving our letter, you will need to submit a written request with an explanation for your appeal. Please include your file number and any documents that might help with your appeal
  4. Can I apply again if I applied previously but did not receive any funding?
    • Yes
Homeowner Application
  1. What are the eligibility requirements for a homeowner?
  2. Do all Homeowners/people on title need to provide proof of income and assets?
    • Yes. All Homeowners must submit proof of income and assets from all sources, including from foreign sources/property
  3. Will you accept a digital signature?
    • No. All owners listed on title must sign the application confirming they understand and agree with the Declaration section of the application and approve the adaptations to the home. A letter or digital signature will not be accepted in place of the signed application
  4. I own a manufactured/mobile home and pay pad rent. Which application should I submit?
Landlord/Tenant Application
  1. What are the eligibility requirements for a tenant?
  2. Will you accept a digital signature or letter if the homeowner/landlord is unable to or refuses to sign the application?
    • No. All owners listed on title must sign the application confirming they understand and agree with the Declaration section of the application and approve the adaptations to the home. A letter or digital signature will not be accepted in place of the signed application
  3. Can I apply if I don't have a written rental agreement in place?
    • No. You must submit a copy of your current written rental agreement or current rent receipts with your application
  4. I don't own/I am not renting a legal unit or self-contained unit. Am I still eligible to apply?
    • No. The unit must be a legal, self-contained unit with a separate entrance, bathroom, and kitchen
  5. I’m a tenant and my landlord applied for BC RAHA but when I contacted your office, I was unable to find out any information related to the file. Why?
    • All communications are with the homeowner unless the tenant is listed as an authorized contact. Please speak to your landlord about being added as an authorized contact on file
Home Assessment
  1. What is the maximum fee you will cover for the Assessment?
    • $300 per household per year. Any amount over this must be paid by the applicant.​
  2. How do I find an Occupational or Physical Therapist?
  3. When will I be reimbursed for the assessment fee?
    • If eligible, the assessment fee will be paid when all the adaptations are complete and the final rebate is paid. If this will cause hardship, please contact RAHA at 604-433-2218 (Lower Mainland) or 1-800-257-7756 (Toll-Free)
  4. Is there anything else I should ask my Occupational Therapist (OT), Physical Therapist (PT), or other medical professional?
    • If your requests are over the maximum rebate amount, we recommend talking to your Occupational Therapist (OT), Physical Therapist (PT), or other medical professional who can work you to prioritize your adaptations
  5. Can you contact my OT/PT if you have questions about my adaptations?
    • Yes. Make sure your OT/PT has a contact phone number. You can also select your OT/PT as an authorized contact to allow them to discuss and update your file on your behalf