Are you a senior who needs help paying for diabetic supplies?
Please note: If you are looking for coverage for diabetes medications such as insulin or other glucose-lowering drugs, there are two plans that can help:
- The New Brunswick Prescription Drug Program is for low-income New Brunswick seniors (65 or over) with a valid NB Medicare card and no prescription drug coverage from another plan.
- The New Brunswick Drug Plan is open to any uninsured New Brunswicker. Premiums and maximum copayments are based on your income. Click here for more information.
There are several ways to get help paying for diabetic supplies, such as test strips and needles. Many seniors are covered by private insurance plans. If you are uninsured, you can apply to the Seniors' Health Program, which has the option of extended benefits, including diabetic supplies.
If you are facing a waiting period for diabetic supplies coverage under the Seniors’ Health Benefit program, the Department of Social Development may be able to help while you wait.
Which Diabetic Supplies Would Be Covered by Social Development?
Social Development may provide help for:
- Blood Glucose Testing Supplies: lancets (small needles), test strips (blood and/or urine), alcohol swabs, flash monitoring systems, glucose testing meter (usually provided free)
- Supplies for Insulin Administration: syringes, pen needles, alcohol swabs
Social Development does not cover the costs for continuous monitoring systems or insulin pumps.
You must show that you’ve exhausted all your other options, including the Seniors' Health Program, and are still unable to pay for your diabetic supplies.
The Department of Social Development assesses eligibility on a case-by-case basis. If you are a resident of New Brunswick who is:
- Newly diagnosed with diabetes
- Taking oral medications
- Insulin-dependent
and unable to afford diabetic supplies, you may be eligible for help.
To find out if you qualify, we assess your monthly expenses and income. If your costs are more than your earnings, your household is in deficit, and you may be eligible for support.
Call Social Development at 1-833-733-7835. Press 1 for English or 2 for French. You will be asked to select, out of a list of 8 options, the region from which you are applying. Once you’ve selected your region, press option 2 (To apply for Income Assistance, Health Card, Daycare Assistance, Pre/Post Natal Benefits, Funeral Benefits or for the Emergency Fuel Benefit). Tell the agent you need help with diabetic supplies.
The agent will ask you some questions about your situation to figure out if you may be eligible. They will ask about your income, including the Canada Pensions Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS). They will also ask about monthly expenses like your rent or mortgage, transportation, food and other bills.
Two things can happen after talking to the agent:
- If the agent thinks you may be eligible for the benefit, you will be given a telephone appointment to complete an assessment.
Or
- The agent will tell you that you don’t qualify based on your income and expenses. You have the right to request a review of that decision. If your circumstances change, you are welcome to apply again.
You will be asked to submit, prior to your phone appointment, all the documents for yourself and others living in the household. See the complete list in the “What Do I Need to Apply?” section. Other household members could include your spouse, common-law partner, roommates or adult children. These documents may be sent to the regional office by mail, fax or dropped off in person (instructions for each option will be provided by the agent). A final approval decision can only happen once all your documents have been received.
Following your phone appointment, your application will be processed and:,
- If you’re approved, a package will be sent for you to complete and return. Once returned (by mail, fax or in person), a written notification of your approval will be mailed to you and your pharmacy.
- If you are not approved, you have the right to request a review of that decision. If your circumstances change, you are welcome to apply again.
After you receive confirmation of approval, you can access your diabetic supplies from the pharmacy. You are not required to provide a receipt or proof of purchase to the Department of Social Development.
Here are some of the documents you will need to provide for your application.
- Documents showing how much you, your spouse and other adults in your household earn each month, including:
- Pay stubs
- Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP) statement
- Old Age Security (OAS) statement
- GST Credit statement
- You will also need to bring documents such as receipts, bills and statements that show your monthly expenses. Look through the list below and pick out the expenses that apply to you:
- Clothing
- Credit card fees
- Finance company loans
- Meals and groceries
- Heat
- Power
- Home and life insurance
- Housekeeping
- Medical
- Gas receipts for medical transportation
- Mortgage
- NB Power loans
- Property tax
- Rent
- Student loan
- Telephone
- Training
- Transportation
- Water and sewage
- Other
You must also provide:
- A completed Request for Blood Glucose Test Supplies form from your doctor, nurse practitioner or certified diabetic educator.
- A cost estimate from your pharmacy of choice for the required diabetic supplies.