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Ministry of Health

Community Care Services
Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL)

Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL) is an alternative for eligible home support clients. CSIL was developed to give British Columbians with disabilities and high-intensity care needs more flexibility in managing their home support services.

CSIL is a "self-managed model of care." Clients receive funds directly for the purchase of home support services. They assume full responsibility for the management, co-ordination and financial accountability of their services, including recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling and supervising home support workers.

Who is Eligible for CSIL?

Eligible clients:

  • have a disability and high-intensity care needs;
  • require daily personal assistance;
  • have the ability to direct all aspects of their care or have a client support group to do so or a individual designated as a representative through a valid Representation Agreement; and
  • have demonstrated the ability to manage care services.

CSIL Eligibility Exception Guidelines April 2011 (PDF 184K)

CSIL Categories of Need Guidelines April 2011 (PDF  63K)

CSIL Expense Guidelines April 2011 (PDF 199K)

Getting Help Managing CSIL Services

People with disabilities who are unable, or not always able, to direct their own care can obtain CSIL funding through the formation of a client support group or through a representative designated through a valid Representation Agreement.

What is a Client Support Group?

A client support group consists of five people who have registered as a non-profit society for the purpose of managing support services on behalf of a CSIL client. Family members, friends, neighbours, an advocate, family physician or others may be members of the client support group.

The client support group takes on all the responsibilities of an employer. CSIL funds go directly to the group to purchase home support services on behalf of their client.

Payment to Family Members

CSIL clients have greater flexibility in their care options and may pay family members, except immediate family members (i.e., parent, child or spouse), as caregivers in accordance with Policy 4.C.4, Payment to Family Members.

Health authorities may grant an exception for an immediate family member to be paid to provide care for a client, if the criteria set out in Policy 4.C.4 are met. Information is available through the local health authority.

See Policy 4.C.4, Payment to Family Members (PDF  86K) for more information.

Payment to Family Members Policy Guidelines March 2011 (PDF 362K)

CSIL Online Workbook: A Guide to Applying for and Managing Choice in Supports for Independent Living

www.bcpara.org/We-can-help/CSIL-Online-Workbook