Opportunities Fund For Persons with Disabilities: FAQs

1. What kind of training do you approve?

Answer: All kinds that address employability needs of applicants. The training cannot be longer than 2 years and training must be offered by a PCTIA-recognized institute.

2. Can I take part-time courses?

Answer: Yes. The Opportunities Fund can provide sponsorship for part-time or full-time training.

3. Can I get a computer through The Opportunities Fund?

Answer: No. The Opportunities Fund can only provide sponsorship for adaptive equipment required because of disability for the purpose of completing training or to perform job duties.

4. How much money can I get through The Opportunities Fund?

Answer: Sponsorship is based on individual need and on the availability of funds at the time of application.

5. Can I get a university degree through The Opportunities Fund?

Answer: No. The Opportunities Fund is designed to sponsor short-term training that is less than two years in duration.

6. What if the training is only available through a private college?

Answer: The Opportunities Fund can sponsor training at a private training institution if (a) the institution is recognized by PCTIA and (b) the training choice is justifiable in relation to the job target.

7. Can I get sponsorship for training followed by a wage subsidy?

Answer: It is expected that applicants will be working within 12 weeks after graduation from the sponsored training program. If after twelve weeks of active job search there is justifiable cause to provide wage subsidy funding, application for a wage subsidy can be made through a case manager.

8. What if I want to work for myself?

Answer: The Opportunities Fund can sponsor applicants to complete self-employment training.

9. Can I get money from The Opportunities Fund for my business start-up costs?

Answer: The Opportunities Fund does not provide start-up costs for small business ventures. Through self-employment training, applicants learn how to apply to conventional lenders for small business loans.

10. Can I apply to The Opportunities Fund if I'm in default of past student loans?

Answer: Yes. However, applicants will need to negotiate a repayment schedule with the student loan program before eligibility for The Opportunities Fund can be determined.

11. Can I apply to The Opportunities Fund if I'm receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits?

Answer: No. However, alternate funding sources for retraining exist for EI eligible applicants. Discuss this with a case manager or an agent at your nearest Service Canada office.

12. Can I get Opportunities Fund sponsorship if I'm on a WCB (WorkSafe BC) claim?

Answer: This would have to be determined though correspondence from a WCB Case Manager detailing the nature of the WCB claim. WCB claimants may be eligible for retraining through WCB.

13. Can I book an appointment with an Opportunities Fund Coordinator?

Answer: No. You need to see a case manager, who will assist you with the application process.

14. What is a case manager?

Answer: A case manager is an employment counsellor who will determine the most appropriate services to help you access training or other programs which will support your employment goals.

15. Can you send me an Opportunities Fund application package?

Answer: No. This application process must be overseen by a case manager who will ensure the application is complete before it is submitted for consideration.

FAQS

1. What kind of training do you approve?
Answer: All kinds that address employability needs of applicants. The training cannot be longer than 2 years and training must be offered by a PCTIA-recognized institute.

2. Can I take part-time courses?
Answer: Yes. The Opportunities Fund can provide sponsorship for part-time or full-time training.

3. Can I get a computer through The Opportunities Fund?
Answer: No. The Opportunities Fund can only provide sponsorship for adaptive equipment required because of disability for the purpose of completing training or to perform job duties.

4. How much money can I get through The Opportunities Fund?
Answer: Sponsorship is based on individual need and on the availability of funds at the time of application.

5. Can I get a university degree through The Opportunities Fund?
Answer: No. The Opportunities Fund is designed to sponsor short-term training that is less than two years in duration.

6. What if the training is only available through a private college?
Answer: The Opportunities Fund can sponsor training at a private training institution if (a) the institution is recognized by PCTIA and (b) the training choice is justifiable in relation to the job target.

7. Can I get sponsorship for training followed by a wage subsidy?
Answer: It is expected that applicants will be working within 12 weeks after graduation from the sponsored training program. If after twelve weeks of active job search there is justifiable cause to provide wage subsidy funding, application for a wage subsidy can be made through a case manager.

8. What if I want to work for myself?
Answer: The Opportunities Fund can sponsor applicants to complete self employment training.

9. Can I get money from The Opportunities Fund for my business start-up costs?
Answer: The Opportunities Fund does not provide start-up costs for small business ventures. Through self employment training, applicants would lean how to apply to conventional lenders for small business loans.

10. Can I apply to The Opportunities Fund if I'm in default of past student loans?
Answer: Yes. However, applicants will need to negotiate a re-payment schedule with the student loan program before eligibility for The Opportunities Fund can be determined.

11. Can I apply to The Opportunities Fund if I'm receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits?
Answer: No. However, alternate funding sources for re-training exist for EI-eligible applicants. Discuss this with a case manager or an agent at your nearest Service Canada office.

12. Can I get Opportunities Fund sponsorship if I'm on a WCB (WorkSafe BC) claim?
Answer: This would have to be determined though correspondence from a WCB Case Manager detailing the nature of the WCB claim. WCB claimants may be eligible for re-training through WCB.

13. Can I book an appointment with an Opportunities Fund Coordinator?
Answer: No. You need to see a Service Canada case manager, who will assist you with the application process.

14. What is a Service Canada case manager?
Answer: A Service Canada case manager is an employment counsellor who will determine the most appropriate services to help you access training or other programs which will support your employment goals.

15. Can you send me an Opportunities Fund application package?
Answer: No. This application process must be overseen by a case manager who will insure the application is complete before it is submitted for consideration.