Funding For Children With Special Needs

Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities

This program provides financial support for eligible families to cover some of the extra costs of caring for a child who has a severe disability.

Eligible parents and guardians can receive between $25 and $618 a month to help with disability related costs (including travel, respite, and developmental toys)

You may be eligible if your total household income is $74,760.00 or less.  You must also meet other factors of eligibility.

To learn more about ACSD and how to apply, go to: https://www.ontario.ca/page/assistance-children-severe-disabilities-program

Special Services at Home

This program provides funding for primary caregiver relief and related supports (respite and indirect assistance can help provide relief to the primary caregiver so they may take some time away from caregiving, or from one or more of their other responsibilities such as cooking, housekeeping, and grocery shopping)

Funding may also provide activities related to personal growth or development for the child. (including camps and recreational activities like swimming and music classes)

To learn more about SSAH and how to apply, go to: https://www.ontario.ca/page/special-services-home

Easter Seals Incontinence Grant (Diaper supplies)

The Incontinence Supplies Grant is an annual grant, made in two payments, provided to families to offset some of the costs for diapers and certain supplies for incontinence.

Your child may be eligible if they are over 3 years of age and have a chronic disability which results in incontinence.

To learn more about Easter Seals Incontinence Grant and how to apply, go to: https://services.easterseals.org/incontinence-supplies-grant/

Access 2 Pass

The Access2 Card program helps ensure entertainment, cultural, and recreational opportunities are more available and accessible to all.

To learn more about the Access 2 pass and how to apply, go to: https://access2card.ca/

Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

The DTC helps reduce the income tax people with physical or mental impairments, or their supporting family members, may have to pay.  It aims to offset some of the costs related to the impairment.

A child is eligible for the DTC when a medical practitioner certifies, on Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate, the child has a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions; the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) approves the form.  You can send the form to the CRA at any time during the year.

If your application is approved, you may claim the disability amount on your tax return.

To learn more about the DTC and how to apply, go to: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/segments/tax-credits-deductions-persons-disabilities/disability-tax-credit.html

Child Disability Benefit (CDB)

The CDB is a tax-free monthly payment made to families who care for a child under 18 years of age with a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions.

If you are already getting CDB for your child who is eligible for the DTC, you do not need to apply for the CDB, you will automatically get it.

To learn more about the CDB, go to:

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/child-disability-benefit.html

Canada Caregiver Credit

The CCC is a non-refundable tax credit possibly available to you.

You do not need a signed statement from a medial practitioner if the CRA already has an approved Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate.

To learn more about the CCC, go to:

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-30499-30500-canada-caregiver-infirm-children-under-18-years.html

Registered Disability Savings Plan

The RDSP is a savings plan intended to help parents and others save for the long-term financial security of a person eligible for the DTC.

To learn more about RDSP, go to:

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/registered-plans-administrators/registered-disability-savings-plans-rdsps.html

Community Support to Access Funding

The Community Support Services Program (CSS)

The CSS program is a community program that assists individuals, who are eligible for funding, to understand the available funding options, the eligibility criteria associated with various funding programs, how to complete applications and how to navigate available services and resources which pertain to funding (applying for and using respite dollars)

To learn more about CSS, go to:

 https://www.csbd.on.ca/services/community-support-services-program/