Applying For: Special Services at Home
MAY 11, 2022
The Special Services at Home program helps families who are caring for a child with a developmental and/or physical disability. It is funded and managed by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
The program helps families pay for special services in or outside the family home as long as the child is not receiving support from a residential program.
Eligibility
To be eligible, children under 18 with a developmental or physical disability must:
- Need more support than most families can provide, are living at home with their family
- Reside within the Province of Ontario
The amount of SSAH funding that can be received is based on:
- The child needs
- What other help they are receiving in the community and at home
Please note:
- Approval amounts the client receives vary based on the factors above
- There are no income requirements for this program
- It is a reimbursement funding program
- There is currently a waitlist for funding
For the most up-to-date information please go to the ministry website.
TIPS TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION FORM
Tips and Information
expand_more
Start Here: Applicant Requesting Support
Complete with your child’s information.
Section 1: Family Caregiver
Complete with the parent/caregiver information (It is recommended to use the parent receiving the Canada Child Benefit)
Section 2: Individual and Family Update
If this is your first time completing the form leave this portion blank this is only to be used for re-applications.
Complete with the parent/caregiver information (It is recommended to use the parent receiving the Canada Child Benefit)
Supporting Documentation to Determine SSAH Eligibility: Please ensure to check and send all supporting documentation if it has not been previously sent (see list on page 6).
Section 3: Requests for Service
Check off both boxes (Personal Development and Growth and Family Relief and Support)
Part A) Consider some of the following examples for goals:
- Community Integration
- Social skills development/programs
- Camps
- TTC Training
- Life Skills
- Daily Living Activities
- Money Management Skills
- Increasing Independence ( Toilet Training , Function Play Skills, Communication Skills, Support around Behaviour and Routines, Emotional Regulation, Yoga Lessons, Music Programs, Art Programs Respite)
Next Consider how many hours per week your child will be engaging in these services. It is important that you identify how much support is required, however, approvals typically will not cover the full amount.
See example below:
10 hours a week | $20/hour | 52 weeks | $10,400
Part B) List the family member who was listed on the top of the application.
Section 4: Description of the strengths and interests of your family member and the support that you provide.
Part A) This is a great opportunity to highlight your child’s strengths and joys.
Things to include in this section are:
Does your child or family member like to do?
Are there any barriers to these interests?
Part B) Personal Development Support:
Check off the appropriate box and then provide as much written detail as possible. How does your child interact with others? Often clients can present differently in different environments. Please describe these limitations and barriers.
For example:
Communication: nonverbal, limited gestures, points to items, screams at people, very shy and introverted, selective mutism etc.
Part C) Supervision:
Supervision looks differently in different environments. Please describe support needed for safety and wellbeing.
Part D) Behaviour:
Consider options outlined on the form, but behaviours could also be things such as:
Sleep difficulties
Sensory issues
Transitions
Severe anxiety
Depression
Part E) Personal Care:
Consider options outlined on the form but think about how much help they need to complete the task. Is your child resisting doing the activity? Do you need to tell them multiple times for follow through? Is the skill generalized across environments?
Part F) Health and Medical:
Select from the list above but also consider:
Allergies
Supplements
Constipation
Vitamins
Eyeglasses
Sedation with dental procedures
Specialists
Section 5: Your Family Situation
As a caregiver it is important to note all your other family members you are caring for. This is the part of the form where you as the caregiver get to talk about your needs and why help is required.
Check off appropriate boxes and add as much detail as you would like.
Some things to consider are:
Caring for or assisting elderly parents
New to Canada
Single parent
Looking after a partner who suffers from depression or anxiety
Housing issues
Personal medical/health concerns
Sleep deprivation
Job loss / difficulty maintaining employment
Section 6: Support Networks that are available to you
Do you have anyone you can call on short notice for assistance?
Some examples you can consider:
Some supports but not readily available
No individuals are able to support behaviours
No supports available
Section 7: Paid Services and Supports
Part A) Community Supports
Check off what is relevant to your child. Please describe in detail what services you are waiting for or what is needed to help your child reach their goals.
Part B) Family Relief and Support
Check off support that is currently being used if applicable. It is also important to highlight that if funding was available you have programs and workers that can give you a break.
Part C) Other Financial Support
Check the box if you are also applying or receiving Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD)
Section 8: Signatures
Please sign and date in the 2 designated areas for the Parent or Guardian.
We recommend making a copy of your application for your records.
Mail in the application to: 375 University Ave. 5th Floor, Toronto ON, M7A 1G1
Or Apply Online
References
expand_more
Invert Colors
Dark Contrast
Low Saturation
Highlight Links
Text Spacing
Text Size
Readable Font
Reading Cursor
Line Height
Text Alignment
Align Left
Align Center
Justify Text