Provides clients of Social Development and low-income families in need with meal replacement or caloric supplementation related to surgery or medical conditions. The Dietary Supplement benefit gives children under 15 years of age a maximum of 2 cans a day. Youth aged 15-18 are eligible for a maximum of 4 cans a day.
This program differs from the Vitalite Health Network Specialized Supplement Program because that program is intended for children and youth with health conditions that require nutritional products to meet at least 80% of their needs indefinitely.
Who Qualifies?
The Dietary Supplement benefit is for Social Development clients and low-income families in need:
- who require short-term caloric supplementation to aid in their preparation for surgery, or recovery from surgery, severe injury, serious disease, or the side effects of medical treatment and/or
- who, because of their medical diagnosis, present with one or more severe chronic conditions that prevent them from obtaining adequate daily nutrition received by eating real food alone (including pureed). Eligible conditions include:
- Major physical trauma
- Preoperative or postoperative period
- Significant weight loss
- Moderate to severe immunosuppression
- Currently receiving chemotherapy, radiation or interferon treatment
- GI malabsorption condition
- Neurological degeneration
Note: Infants 0-24 months receiving Dietary Supplements are not eligible for Postnatal Benefits, Infant Formula Program (IFP) or Specialized Infant Formula through Social Development or the Department of Health’s Tube and Supplemental Feeding Program. Speak with your pediatrician or pediatric dietitian to learn more.
Clients of Social Development
1. Have your physician, nurse practitioner, registered dietitian or speech language pathologist fill out the Dietary Supplement Benefit Application Form.
2. Have your pharmacist submit a cost estimate E-form.
Low Income families
1. Have your physician, nurse practitioner, registered dieititan or speech language pathologist fill out the Dietary Supplement Benefit Application Form.
2. Get a written estimate of the monthly cost from your pharmacist.
Call Social Development at 1-833-733-7835. An agent will take your call. They will ask questions to see if you may be eligible for Social Assistance.
If you may be eligible, the agent will make an appointment for you to complete the application package and provide the required documents.
Once your application is complete, we will review the information to see if you meet the program’s financial requirements. We will also assess your employability.