Funding
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Special Services At Home
Special Services At Home
The Special Services at Home (SSAH) Program helps family’s caring for individuals with a disability. If approved, families are provided with funding to purchase supports and services which they could not normally provide themselves and are not available elsewhere in the community.
The amound of money a family receives depends on:
- The type and amount of service needed
- What other help is available in the community
- What other support the family is alread receiving
- Resources available
Demand for funding currently exceeds available resources. However, we encourage people to apply so that support can be provided as new resources become available.
What can I use it for?
ü Personal Development and Growth – This could include helping a person acquire new skills and abilities, such as improving communication skills or supporting a person as he/she undertakes more and more of the activities associated with daily living.
ü Respite and Support – respite provides a break for the family and may help avoid burn-out, stress and fatigue. It provides an opportunity for the family to have a different experience, build new relationships and learn new skills.
Who can Apply?
ü Parents, family members, and legal guardians of children with a developmental or physical disability under the age of 18 and adults with a developmental disability
ü Individuals 16 years of age or older with a disability can apply on behalf of themselves.
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible, the individual with a disability must be a:
ü residents of Ontario
ü Have ongoing functional limitations as a result of a disability
ü Require support beyond that which is a normal family responsibility
ü Be living at home with their families or living away from their family’s home but not residing in a Ministry-funded residential setting
How do I apply?
- You can apply by filling out an application on your own or with the assistance of an agency or professional. You can obtain an application by downloading it below or by contacting your local Regional Office.
- You will need medical documentation clearing confirming the diagnosis of the individual with the disability.
How are Funding Decisions Made?
Applications are reviewed and assessed by a Special Agreements Officer who sets priorities based on several factors such as:
ü the type or amount of service your family needs;
ü what you need in order to enhance your ability to cope with providing care;
ü complexity of the support required as a result of the level of the ongoing functional limitation;
ü support and services currently available in the community;
ü support networks of the individual and family;
ü locally identified priorities;
ü and availability of funds.
Since SSAH operates on a fixed allocation of funding, it is necessary to re-apply for services every year.
Regional Offices: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/english/minstry/regionalOffices/
Application form – Special Services at Home Program –
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/NR/MCFCS/developmental/1915.doc
Progress Report Form for Parents
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