Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program (ACSD)

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Who is eligible for the Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program (ACSD) program?

To be eligible for the Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program (ACSD) program, you must: • The child must be under 18 years old (17 years or younger). • The child must have a severe disability and live at home. • The total household income must be $76,200 or less.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program (ACSD)?

You can contact Government of Ontario.

Q: Are youth (under 40) eligible for the Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program (ACSD) program?

Yes, youth under 40 are eligible to apply for the Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program (ACSD) program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

ON, Canada

Financial support for families caring for children with severe disabilities

At a glance

Eligible Funding

From $25 to $665
Up to 28% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

All industries

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

The Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program (ACSD) offers up to $665 per month to help families offset the extra costs of caring for a child with a severe disability. Eligible activities include travel to medical appointments, special clothing, parental respite, and coverage for disability-related expenses such as assistive devices and prescription drugs.

Financing terms and conditions

Monthly financial support ranges from $25 to $646, depending on household income, family size, and child’s disability-related costs.
Effective July 2025, the maximum payment increases to $665 per month.
Annual increases to the maximum payment are tied to inflation, with adjustments taking effect in July each year.

Activities funded

Providing financial support to families for the care of children with severe disabilities.
Facilitating parental relief through respite services.
Supporting access to necessary health-related appointments and treatments for children with disabilities.
Assisting families in obtaining specialized assessments and assistive devices for children with severe disabilities.
Enhancing access to essential health, dental, and vision care services for eligible children.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 665

Coverage for prescription drugs and dental care for epileptic child

$ 665

Parental respite through weekend care for child with autism

$ 655

Travel support for monthly occupational therapy appointments for child

$ 665

Assistive device assessment and contribution for pediatric hearing aid

$ 660

Repair and battery replacement for pediatric wheelchair equipment

$ 665

Purchase special orthopaedic shoes and winter clothing for child

Eligibility

The applicant must be a parent or guardian of a child under 18 years of age (17 and under) living at home with a severe disability.
The total household income must be $76,200 or less.
Eligibility and funding amount depend on family size, severity of the child’s disability, and extraordinary costs related to the child’s disability.

Who is eligible?

The father, the mother, the legal guardian or the legal tutor of a child under 18 years old (17 years or younger) living at home and having a severe disability.

Eligible expenses

Travel expenses for doctors’ appointments, hospital visits, and other disability-related appointments
Cost of special shoes and clothing required by the child
Parental relief services, such as respite care
Assessment for an assistive device
Consumer contribution for a device provided under the Assistive Devices Program
Batteries and repairs for mobility devices
Prescription drugs through OHIP+
Dental care through the Healthy Smiles Ontario program
Hearing aids and vision care, including eyeglasses

Eligible geographic areas

Ontario

How to apply

Check your eligibility

Ensure your child is under 18, lives at home, and has a severe disability
Verify your total household income is $76,200 or less
Take into account the family size and the child’s additional care costs

Select your application method

Choose to apply online or by paper application
Prepare the required documents and information
Access the online platform or download the paper form

Complete your application

Fill in all required sections of the application
Provide accurate details and supporting documents
Contact community agencies or professionals if you need help

Review your application

Review the application to confirm all information is correct
Save or edit your online application if needed before submission
Only one application per child is permitted

Submit your application

Submit your completed application to the designated office
Submit a separate application for each eligible child
Ensure submission within the allotted time (e.g., 90 days online)

Await the eligibility decision

Receive a letter informing you if you qualify for ACSD
Respond to any requests for additional information from the program
Contact your local office for status updates if needed

Appeal if necessary

If you disagree with the decision, request an internal review within 30 days
Follow the instructions provided in the decision letter
Further appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal if needed

Additional information

Annual ACSD payment increases are tied to inflation, with new maximum rates coming into effect each July.
The Canada Disability Benefit from the federal government is exempt as income for ACSD recipients and does not impact eligibility or payment amounts.
If a Canada Post labour disruption occurs, payments by direct deposit will continue, but mailed cheques and document submissions may be affected.
Applicants have the right to request an internal review of decisions within 30 days, and can appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal if dissatisfied with the review outcome.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program (ACSD) Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program (ACSD). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.