FSCD Funding Guide for Alberta Families

The Family Support for Children with Disabilities program helps eligible Alberta families plan, coordinate and access supports related to raising a child with a disability.

For many families, understanding FSCD funding in Alberta can be difficult. Questions often arise about what services may be covered, how an FSCD agreement works, whether families can choose their own respite care provider, and whether the provider invoices the family or FSCD directly.

This guide explains how FSCD works, how respite services may be funded and what families should confirm before beginning services. If you are comparing providers, our companion guide on how to choose a respite care provider in Edmonton covers screening, matching and service quality, and our overview of respite and support services shows what we offer.

Respite Edmonton is a qualified agency and Qualified Service Provider offering child and youth respite care in Edmonton and surrounding communities.

Quick answer: Can FSCD funding be used with Respite Edmonton?

Yes. Families whose active FSCD agreements include eligible respite or support services may choose Respite Edmonton as their service provider.

There are generally two ways an approved organization may be paid for services included in an FSCD agreement:

1. Respite Edmonton invoices the family, the family pays the invoice and submits an eligible expense claim to FSCD for reimbursement.
2. Respite Edmonton sends an eligible invoice to the FSCD program for payment under the family's approved arrangement.

The correct payment method depends on the family's FSCD agreement and instructions from its FSCD worker.

Before services begin, Respite Edmonton and the family should confirm:

• the approved service
• the number of approved hours
• the approved rate or maximum amount
• the agreement's effective dates
• the person or organization that should receive the invoice
• whether the family pays first or agency invoicing applies
• required timesheets and service records
• any approval needed before service begins

What is FSCD?

FSCD stands for Family Support for Children with Disabilities.

It is an Alberta government program that works with eligible families to plan, coordinate and access supports and services related to raising a child with a disability.

Depending on the child and family's assessed needs, FSCD may help with services such as:

• respite in or outside the family home
• child-care supports
• counselling
• personal-care assistance
• community support
• behavioural support
• developmental support
• some disability-related clothing and footwear
• some costs associated with medical appointments
• specialized services for eligible children with severe disabilities
• transition planning
• coordination of supports and services

The exact supports available to a family are determined through the FSCD process and documented in the family's agreement.

Who may be eligible for FSCD?

A family must meet Alberta's eligibility requirements.

Generally, the current requirements include:

• the child is under 18
• the child is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• the person applying is the child's guardian
• the child lives in Alberta
• medical documentation confirms that the child has a qualifying disability or is awaiting diagnosis

A diagnosis does not automatically guarantee that a particular service, number of hours or funding amount will be approved.

Disability Services reviews the application and supporting documentation to determine eligibility. After eligibility is confirmed, the family discusses its needs, goals and possible supports with a Disability Services worker.

What medical documentation may be required?

Families applying for FSCD must generally provide current medical documentation.

The documentation may need to identify:

• the child's name
• the child's date of birth
• the diagnosis
• the date of diagnosis
• the professional who made the diagnosis
• information about a probable or provisional diagnosis when the child is still being assessed

The documentation should come from a health professional who is authorized to provide the relevant diagnosis or probable diagnosis within the scope of their practice.

Families may also be asked to provide:

• proof of the child's Canadian citizenship or permanent-resident status
• proof of guardianship or relationship to the child
• additional information requested by Disability Services

How do families apply for FSCD?

Families can apply through Alberta's online FSCD application process.

A simplified application process is:

1. Gather citizenship or permanent-resident documentation.
2. Gather current medical documentation.
3. Gather proof of guardianship where required.
4. Complete the online application.
5. Submit all requested supporting documents.
6. Respond to requests for additional information.
7. Wait for Disability Services to determine eligibility.
8. Discuss needs and possible services after eligibility is confirmed.

An application is not complete until the required application information and supporting documents have been received.

Application assistance

Families who need help applying should contact Alberta Supports or the appropriate Disability Services office. Respite Edmonton may provide general information, but only Alberta Disability Services can determine program eligibility and approve services. You are always welcome to contact our team with questions about our services.

What is an FSCD agreement?

An FSCD agreement is the legal document that identifies the services the FSCD program has agreed to provide.

The agreement may include:

• approved services
• service descriptions
• approved hours or units
• approved rates or maximum amounts
• start and end dates
• responsibilities of the family
• responsibilities of the program
• payment or reimbursement arrangements
• documentation requirements
• other conditions related to the approved service

An FSCD agreement may last for up to three years, although services and needs may be reviewed or amended during the agreement period.

What is an Individualized Family Support Plan?

Some families requiring additional services may work with their Disability Services caseworker to create an Individualized Family Support Plan.

The plan is based on a shared understanding of:

• the child and family's strengths
• the child and family's needs
• family priorities
• short-term goals
• long-term goals
• participation at home
• participation at school
• participation in the community
• strategies and supports
• responsibilities
• timelines

The Individualized Family Support Plan helps connect approved services with the family's identified goals.

Does FSCD cover respite care?

FSCD may fund respite services when respite is included in the family's approved agreement.

Respite may take place:

• in the family home
• outside the family home
• in approved community settings
• during scheduled caregiver-relief periods
• as part of another approved support arrangement

Respite is intended to provide temporary caregiver relief while ensuring the child receives safe and appropriate support.

The approved arrangement may specify:

• where support can occur
• the number of hours
• the approved rate
• who may provide the service
• which activities are allowed
• required documentation
• whether transportation is included
• how the provider will be paid

Respite funding is not automatic for every FSCD family — it must be part of the approved agreement. You can learn about our child and youth respite services to see what support may be arranged.

What kinds of support can a respite provider offer?

The specific support provided must align with the family's agreement and the child's support plan.

Depending on what has been approved, respite and related support may include:

• caregiver relief
• supervision
• companionship
• following established home routines
• age-appropriate activities
• recreational participation
• community participation
• assistance with personal care
• communication support
• behavioural support
• developmental activities
• meal or snack support
• support during family appointments
• sibling support when specifically approved
• evening or weekend support
• skill-building activities

Families should tell the provider about:

• communication needs
• behavioural or emotional needs
• medical considerations
• allergies
• medications
• mobility requirements
• personal-care needs
• safety risks
• sensory preferences
• preferred activities
• emergency procedures

Can families choose their own FSCD service provider?

Yes. Families can choose the individuals or organizations they hire to provide services included in their FSCD agreement.

A family may:

• hire an individual worker directly
• hire an organization
• use an agency that coordinates workers
• use different providers for different approved services

Before choosing a provider, families should confirm:

• the provider offers the approved service
• the provider's rate fits the agreement
• the provider can meet the approved schedule
• workers have suitable experience
• workers have appropriate screening and credentials
• the provider can produce the required invoices and records
• the payment arrangement has been confirmed
• the service can begin within the agreement dates

Our guide on how to choose a respite care provider in Edmonton walks through each of these questions, and our screening and safety standards explain how our workers are reviewed.

Independent worker or qualified agency?

Some families directly employ an independent respite worker. Others use a qualified respite care agency.

Hiring an independent worker

The family may be responsible for:

• recruiting
• interviewing
• checking references
• reviewing criminal-record screening
• verifying qualifications
• scheduling
• payroll
• employment deductions
• employment standards
• workplace insurance
• worker supervision
• finding replacement coverage
• record keeping

Using a qualified agency

An agency may manage:

• worker recruitment
• screening
• reference checks
• credential verification
• worker matching
• scheduling
• service coordination
• invoicing
• service records
• worker supervision
• replacement or rematching
• communication and complaints

The family should choose the model that matches its FSCD agreement, responsibilities and preferred level of involvement. See how our intake, planning and matching process works.

How does FSCD payment and reimbursement work?

For services included in an FSCD agreement, there are two common payment routes.

Option 1: The family pays and submits a reimbursement claim

The process may work as follows:

The family should not assume an expense will be reimbursed merely because it relates to respite. It must fall within the approved agreement and documentation requirements.

Option 2: Respite Edmonton invoices FSCD

Where the family's approved arrangement allows agency invoicing:

The family and Respite Edmonton must confirm this arrangement before service begins.

Does FSCD reimburse claims within a specific period?

Alberta currently states that complete reimbursement claims are deposited within 30 days after submission online or through an FSCD office.

However, this assumes that:

• the expense is eligible
• the service is included in the agreement
• the claim is complete
• the required documentation is available
• there are no questions or discrepancies

How can a family submit an FSCD claim?

Families may submit eligible expense claims through:

• the Online Claims Reimbursement portal
• the process provided by the local FSCD office

An Alberta.ca Account is required to access the Online Claims Reimbursement portal.

A simplified reimbursement process is:

What records should families keep?

Families should keep copies of invoices and supporting documentation for seven years.

Records may include:

• provider invoices
• Records of Services
• timesheets
• proof of payment
• receipts
• submitted claim records
• Online Claims Reimbursement records
• statements of expenses
• service schedules
• relevant correspondence
• copies of the current FSCD agreement

The FSCD program may ask families to provide original receipts or service records to verify that approved services were received.

What should an FSCD provider invoice include?

Invoice requirements may depend on the family's agreement and FSCD billing instructions.

A detailed provider invoice should generally include:

• provider or agency legal name
• business contact information
• invoice number
• invoice date
• family or client identifier
• dates of service
• description of the service
• number of hours or units
• hourly or unit rate
• subtotal
• applicable taxes, where required
• total amount
• payment status where relevant
• any reference or authorization information requested by FSCD

Respite Edmonton configures invoices and service records to meet the requirements communicated for the family's arrangement. This general list is a starting point for families and does not replace official FSCD invoicing instructions.

What is a Record of Services?

A Record of Services documents the support that was actually delivered.

Depending on program requirements, it may include:

• date of service
• start and end time
• total hours
• service category
• worker name
• person receiving support
• confirmation from the family
• notes required under the service arrangement

Families should keep Records of Services with their invoices and proof of payment.

Can services begin before the FSCD agreement is approved?

Families may privately arrange support while waiting for FSCD approval, but they should not assume that expenses incurred before written approval will be reimbursed.

Before beginning a service that the family expects FSCD to fund, confirm:

• the service has been approved
• the funding start date
• the approved rate
• approved hours
• the authorized provider-payment method
• whether any retroactive expense is eligible

What if the approved hours are used up?

FSCD funding is limited to the services, hours, rates and maximum amounts identified in the family's agreement.

When approved hours or funding have been used:

• additional services may not be reimbursed
• the family may need to pay privately
• the family may need to reduce future bookings
• the family should speak with its FSCD worker
• the agreement may need to be reviewed when needs have changed

Respite Edmonton helps families monitor scheduled hours, but the family remains responsible for understanding its available funding unless a different arrangement assigns that responsibility elsewhere.

Can an FSCD agreement change?

Yes. Families should speak with their Disability Services caseworker when their circumstances or the child's needs change.

Possible reasons for a review may include:

• changes in support needs
• increased caregiver strain
• a change in medical needs
• a change in behaviour or safety concerns
• school transitions
• return from hospital
• changes in family circumstances
• preparation for adulthood
• an expiring agreement

The caseworker determines whether the agreement or support plan should be updated.

What does FSCD not provide?

According to Alberta's current program information, FSCD does not:

• provide supports related to a child's educational needs
• meet emergency or crisis needs
• provide equipment covered through Alberta Aids to Daily Living
• replace services available through other programs
• provide individual therapy
• operate as a general financial-benefit program

A service being helpful to a child does not automatically mean it is an FSCD-funded service.

Families should confirm coverage with their FSCD worker. More general questions are answered in our frequently asked questions.

What should families confirm before hiring a provider?

Use this checklist:

How Respite Edmonton supports FSCD families

Respite Edmonton is a qualified agency and Qualified Service Provider offering child and youth respite and support services in Edmonton and surrounding communities.

Our process includes:

1. Reviewing the family's requested support needs.
2. Confirming the approved service arrangement.
3. Learning about the child's routines, goals, communication and safety needs.
4. Matching the family with a suitable screened worker.
5. Establishing the service schedule.
6. Providing in-home or community-based support.
7. Maintaining applicable service records.
8. Issuing detailed invoices according to the approved payment arrangement.
9. Communicating with the family as needs or schedules change.

Depending on the family's approved agreement, services may include:

• in-home respite care
• community-based respite
• caregiver relief
• supervision and companionship
• personal-care support
• community participation
• routine support
• developmental or skill-building activities
• evening and weekend support
• other approved child and youth support services

Service availability, billing and reimbursement depend on the family's active FSCD agreement and approved arrangement.

Areas served

Respite Edmonton serves families in:

• Edmonton
• Sherwood Park
• St. Albert
• Spruce Grove
• Leduc
• Beaumont

Availability depends on the requested schedule, location, support needs and worker availability. You can view all areas served.

Ready to discuss your FSCD respite needs?

If your FSCD agreement includes respite or related support services, Respite Edmonton can review your needs, explain our intake process and help confirm the information required before services begin.

Official FSCD resources

The following Government of Alberta pages are provided for reference only and are not endorsements of Respite Edmonton:

• Alberta FSCD program overview
• FSCD eligibility requirements
• FSCD supports and services
• How to apply for FSCD
• Hiring FSCD service providers
• FSCD resources and forms
• FSCD Online Claims Reimbursement portal
• Alberta Supports and FSCD office locations

Frequently asked questions about FSCD funding

Related resources

Published by Respite Edmonton — respite care and support services for families in Edmonton and surrounding communities. See all family resources and guides.