The
Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) program program provides financial assistance to parents to help with extraordinary cost related to their child's severe disability. It is a direct funding program for low and moderate income families.
Who Can Apply?
Parents, family members, legal guardians and individuals 16 of years of age and over may apply.
Who is Eligible?
- Children under the age of 18
- Children who have a severe disability which results in a functional loss (Functional loss refers to a major loss of ability, or capacity to engage in any activity commonly considered necessary and appropriate to normal daily living.)
- Resident of Ontario living at home with the parent/legal guardian
What is included in the benefit?
- The amount of financial assistance is determined based on your yearly extraordinary expenses and your gross family income. Minimum monthly payment is $25 to $500 per month to be used towards:
- travel to doctors' appointments, hospitals and other appointments related to the child's disability.
- special shoes and clothes
- parental relief such as respite
- wheelchairs and other assistive devices, including repairs
- hearing aids and batteries
- prescription drugs
- dental and vision care, including eyeglasses
How do I apply?
You can apply by filling out an application and submitting it to The Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Find a local office near to you receive and submit your forms.
You will need the following information in order to determine eligibility for this program:
- An application form dated and signed by the Applicant/Parent/Caregiver (enclosed) Note: unsigned application will be returned
- A complete Expense Report (enclosed)
- Questionnaire (enclosed)
- Consent to Recover ACSD Overpayment Form (enclosed)
- Consent to Disclose and Verify Personal Information Form (enclosed)
- Copy of your birth verification, i.e. Canadian Birth Certificate or if the child was not born in Canada, provide a copy of immigration document
- Copy of your child's birth verification, i.e. Canadian Birth Certificate or if the child was not born in Canada, provide a copy of immigration document
- A copy of the child’s health card
- A copy of MEDICAL documentation that details the child's disability or diagnosis, signed by a Physician or a Psychologist in Ontario (e.g. Psychological Assessment)
- Copy of 2016 Notice of Assessment (showing line 150) for yourself (if singe), or for you and your spouse (if married or in a common-law relationship even if $0 amount). Note: If you are self-employed, you may be required to submit a copy of your Statement of Business Activities
- A copy of 2015 Canada Child Benefit (CCB) notice for the period July 2016 - June 2017. . This document is mailed to you from Canada Revenue Agency in July each year. includes the name of your child/children and your marital status
- Bank information or a void cheque for direct deposit
How are Decisions Made?
Applications are reviewed and assessed by a Special Agreements Officer who determines eligibility and the amount of money a family can receive based on:
- family income
- size of the family
- the severity of the disability
- the extraordinary costs related to the child's disability.
What are the Income Qualifications?
The ACSD program is intent for low to moderate income families. The gross annual income must be within the levels set out in the Ontario Disability Act Guidelines as indicated in the chart below:
Family Size
(including parents)
|
Full basic entitlement may be paid to:
(gross family income)
|
You may be eligible for some entitlement up to:
(gross family income)
|
Up to 4
|
$42,000
|
$65,040
|
Up to 5
|
$43,000
|
$66,040
|
Up to 6
|
$44,000
|
$67,040
|
Up to 7
|
$45,000
|
$68,040
|
THE INCOME LEVELS WILL BE RAISED BY $18,000 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL CHILD WITH A DISABILITY TO CALCULATE THE NET ENTITLEMENT.
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