Ontario Funding & Programs for Families
Navigating funding and services can feel overwhelming. This guide gathers the Ontario programs, supports, and organizations that have helped our family so you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Special Services at Home (SSAH) Funding — Ontario
What it is: Special Services at Home (SSAH) is an Ontario funding program for families caring for a child with a developmental and/or physical disability. Funding can help pay for supports for daily activities, personal growth and development, and respite for parents and caregivers.
Who qualifies: Children under 18 who live in Ontario and need extra support beyond what's typically expected for their age because of a physical and/or developmental disability. Other eligibility requirements also apply.
How it helps families: SSAH gives families flexibility to pay for eligible supports based on their child's needs. This can include hiring someone for respite, supporting your child in developing daily-life or social skills, and certain activities or supports that help them participate at home and in their community.
SSAH can give families a little extra support. Whether that's having someone help with your child's care so you can have a break or finding new ways to help your child build skills and participate in everyday life, that extra support can make a difference.
ASD / ACSD Funding
What it is: Financial assistance for families to help with the extra costs of raising a child with a severe disability.
Who qualifies: Low to moderate-income families in Ontario whose child has a chronic disability or functional impairment.
How it helps families: Offsets costs for specialized clothing, medical travel, and other daily essentials.
Raising a child with unique needs often comes with extra bills that add up quickly. This provincial support is meant to ease that financial weight, helping you cover everything from mileage for specialist visits to the everyday supplies that keep your little one happy.
CRA Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
What it is: A non-refundable tax credit that helps people with disabilities and their families reduce their income tax.
Who qualifies: Residents of Canada with a severe and prolonged physical or mental impairment verified by a medical practitioner.
How it helps families: Reduces the tax you owe and is often the gateway to the Child Disability Benefit and the RDSP.
Navigating government forms can feel like just another task on an endless list, but the DTC is a very important piece of the puzzle. It acknowledges the extra care your child requires and ensuring you keep more of your hard-earned income for your family's future.
Ontario Incontinence Supplies Program
What it is: A grant program to help families cover the cost of incontinence supplies for children.
Who qualifies: Ontario children between 3 and 18 years old with a chronic disability resulting in physical incontinence.
How it helps families: Provides a bi-annual grant that you can use for diapers, pull-ups, and other hygiene necessities.
Small daily needs shouldn't be a source of stress for your family budget. This program provides dedicated funding for essential supplies, making sure you always have what you need on hand without having to choose between comfort and other necessities for your child.
CCN Respite Funding
What it is: Temporary relief for caregivers through regional child and community network funds.
Who qualifies: Families with children with developmental or physical needs requiring extra caregiving support.
How it helps families: Provides money specifically to hire a caregiver so parents can attend to their own wellbeing.
Every parent needs a moment to catch their breath, and CCN respite funding is designed to make that possible. It provides the means to bring in a trusted person so you can rest, knowing your child is safe and supported while you take care of yourself too.
Blind Low Vision Programs in Ontario
What it is: Specialized early intervention services for infants and preschoolers with vision loss.
Who qualifies: Ontario children from birth until they start Grade 1 who have a diagnosed visual impairment.
How it helps families: Offers family support and teaching to help your child develop their skills and explore with confidence.
Finding out your child has a visual impairment is a lot to process, but you don't have to navigate it alone. This program connects you with experts who understand how to help your child explore and learn, empowering you with the tools to support their unique way of seeing the world.
Surrey Place
What it is: A community health center offering specialized clinical services for all ages.
Who qualifies: Individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, and visual impairments in Toronto and surrounding areas.
How it helps families: Provides assessment, therapy, and family workshops to support child development.
Surrey Place is a hub of expertise and kindness where you can find teams dedicated to your child's growth. Whether you are looking for therapy or family support groups, they offer a community of professionals who see your child's potential just as clearly as you do.
CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind)
What it is: A non-profit providing programs and advocacy for people living with sight loss.
Who qualifies: Canadians who are blind or partially sighted and their families.
How it helps families: Offers peer support groups, advocacy tools, and information on assistive technology.
CNIB is an incredible community that has been supporting blind Canadians for over a century. They offer wonderful peer groups where you can meet other parents, as well as practical programs that help your child navigate their world with autonomy and confidence.
Easter Seals Ontario
What it is: A charity dedicated to helping children with physical disabilities achieve greater independence.
Who qualifies: Ontario children and youth with long-term physical disabilities.
How it helps families: Provides funding for essential mobility equipment and runs inclusive summer camps.
Easter Seals is all about helping kids be kids, regardless of physical challenges. From funding that first specialized piece of equipment to those unforgettable weeks at summer camp, they are there to help your child discover their strengths and find joy in every milestone.
Access 2 Card
What it is: A discount program that provides free admission for support persons at participating venues.
Who qualifies: Persons with a permanent disability who require a support person while attending attractions.
How it helps families: Reduces the cost of daily outings to movies, theme parks, and museums across Canada.
Getting out and about as a family should be as easy and affordable as possible. This card is a simple but powerful tool that ensures wherever your child goes, their support person can be right there with them at no extra cost to you, making adventures much more accessible.