Recreation Fee Subsidy Program
About
The Recreation Fee Subsidy Program (RFSP) helps people of all ages who are experiencing financial hardship to access Richmond’s recreation facilities and programs. Richmond residents can apply for financial support so that they can participate in a wide variety of cultural, sport and general interest recreational activities.
The Recreation Fee Subsidy Program is supported by the City of Richmond and Richmond Community Associations and Societies.
What is financial hardship?
Financial hardship means that a person has difficulty paying for basic daily living expenses (e.g. food, shelter, clothing), and does not have access to savings or other financial resources.
For more information and translation on the Recreation Fee Subsidy Program, please see our brochure.
Applications
- Applications received after July 31, 2019 will be applied to the 2019-2020 RFSP
RFSP Application - September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020
- Applications accepted starting June 1, 2019
- Aquatic Centres
- Public Swims
- Fitness Centre
- Aquafit classes
- Arenas
- Public Skates
- Drop-in Hockey, Stick & Puck, and Figure Skating sessions
- Skate rentals included (hockey equipment not included)
- Community Centres (to ONE community centre of your choice)
- Fitness Centre
- Group Fitness classes (unless otherwise stated)
- Open Gym programs (e.g. drop-in volleyball, basketball, parent and tot play times)
- Childminding (where available; parents must remain on-site in the facility)
- West Richmond Pitch and Putt Course
- Golf club rentals included (golf balls not included)
- Up to a maximum of $300/year in subsidy for children and youth (0 to 18 years)
- Up to a maximum of $100/year in subsidy for adults and seniors (19+ years )
- Youth Agreements
- Agreements with Young Adults (AYA)
- Income Assistance
- Resettlement Assistance
- Disability Assistance
- Rental Assistance Program
- Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
- Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER)
- Family’s combined net income (line 236)
After-Tax Low Income Measure (LLIM-AT-T1FF) (Statistics Canada, 2018), updated July 23, 2019 - Single adult 19+ years with or without dependants (18 years and under).
- Couple (Married or common-law) with or without dependants (18 years and under).
- Adult children (19 – 24 years) who live in the family household and attend full-time post-secondary schooling should be included in the family’s application.
- If multiple families share a household, each family applies separately.
- If other family members share the household (e.g. aunt or uncle, grandparents, adult children 19+ not attending full-time post-secondary education), each family member or couple applies separately.
- Request a confirmation letter from your social worker or the Ministry of Child and Family Development, Richmond Youth Team at 604-660-1044. Agreements with Young Adults (AYA):
- Request a confirmation letter from your social worker or the Agreements with Young Adults (AYA) Program office in Vancouver at 604-660-6592. Income Assistance or Disability Assistance:
- Request Form HR0095 from your local Ministry Office, phone 1-866-866-0800 or print from your myselfserve.gov.bc.ca account. Rental Assistance or Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER):
- Request a copy of your approval letter from BC Housing, 604-433-2218 or 1-800-257-7756. Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS):
- Request a copy of your confirmation letter from Service Canada, 1-800-277-9914 Resettlement Assistance:
- Request a copy of your Confirmation of Permanent Residence from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Vancouver Office, 1148 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC
- Any City of Richmond community centre, Cultural Centre, aquatic centre or arena;
- Richmond City Hall located at 6911 No 3 Rd; or
- Email to subsidy@richmond.ca
Benefits
Free Drop-in Admission
For a list of drop-in programs not included in the RFSP please see Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Registered Programs at a Reduced Cost
Effective from September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020, you are eligible for the following benefits:
90% off most registered programs
When you register for a program, 90% of the program cost is covered by the Recreation Fee Subsidy Program and 10% is the amount that you pay (including taxes and extra program fees if applicable).
Refer to the Parks, Recreation and Culture Guide for available programs. For a list of Recreation programs not covered by the Recreation Fee Subsidy Program, please see Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for financial support if you:
1. Live in Richmond;
AND
2. One of A or B below applies in your situation:
Option A) You receive government financial assistance from one of these programs:
OR
Options B) You do not receive government financial assistance and are currently experiencing financial hardship.
Eligibility will be determined based on the following information from your most recent tax filing to the Canada Revenue Agency. Proof of Income Statement (option C form).
| Family Size | Maximum Net Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $21,234 |
| 2 | $30,029 |
| 3 | $36,778 |
| 4 | $42,468 |
| 5 | $47,481 |
| 6 | $52,012 |
| 7 | $56,180 |
| Income Type | Maximum |
| Interest and Investment Income (line 121) | $500 per family combined |
| Rental Income (line 126) | $1,000 per adult |
| Capital Gains (line 127) | $100 per adult |
| RRSP Contributions (line 208) | $1,000 per adult |
| Donations and Gifts (line 349) | $250 per adult |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who in my household needs to provide documents?
How do I get copies of required documents?
Youth Agreements:
How long will it take to process my application?
Application processing takes an average of 10 business days, if all required documentation is provided.
How will I find out the status of my application?
You will receive an email to notify you when you have been approved or not. Approved applicants will also receive a Welcome Package with information on how to access their subsidy (and those of their dependant children). If you have not provided an email, a letter will be mailed to your home address.
What if my Family’s Combined Net Income (Line 236) is slightly above RFSP thresholds?
The Family’s Combined Net Income Thresholds for 2019-2020 applications were based on the most current data available from Statistics Canada when the new application cycle began in June; 2019-2020 RFSP thresholds have now been updated to reflect the new data that became available from Statistics Canada in July, 2019. If you applied for the 2019-2020 RFSP program between June 1 and July 23, 2019, your application will be reassessed to determine if it qualifies for the RFSP program based on the newly released data (July 23, 2019).
When can I begin using my new RFSP subsidy?
RFSP 2019-2020 subsidy is applicable to registered and free drop-in programs and services from September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020. Subsidies will expire on August 31, 2020.
Do I need to re-apply each year?
Yes, all applicants need to re-apply as financial situations can change over time.
Where can I drop off my application?
Drop off, mail or email your application form and copies of all required documents to:
| Drop-In Programs unavailable through the RFSP | |
|---|---|
| Sport Rentals (e.g. Table Tennis Rentals) | Facility Rentals |
| Personal Training | Contracted Programs |
| Seniors Facility Passes including Special Passes (Billiard, Wood Working, Wood Carving and Table Tennis | Fee-for-Service Senior Wellness treatments |
| Games Room Pass | Youth Pass |
| Programs NOT available for Registration through the RFSP | |
|---|---|
| All Licensed Programs |
|
| Aquatic Advanced Leadership Programs | |
| Fitness Certification Programs | |
| Private/Semi-Private Lessons | |
| Tennis Assessments |
|
| Facility rentals | |
| Emergency Preparedness Programs | |
| Richmond Arts Centre Dance Programs: Pre-Company, Richmond Youth Dance Company, and Richmond Adult Dance Company programs, exam fees. |
Contact Information
If you have questions about the Recreation Fee Subsidy Program, please contact:
Accessibility and Inclusion
Phone: 604-247-4909
Email: subsidy@richmond.ca
