Applying For: Special Services at Home

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.

DOWNLOAD TIPSHEET

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

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
Increasing Independence: Function Play Skills
Increasing Independence: Communication Skills
Increasing Independence: Support around Behaviour and Routines
Increasing Independence: Emotional Regulation
Increasing Independence: Yoga Lessons
Increasing Independence: Music Programs
Increasing Independence: 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

I'm New - Start Here

Intake & Registration

Funding & Costs

Eligibility & Who We Serve

Resource Library

Community Supports

Education

Research & Publications

Events & Workshops

Get Involved

About Us

Contact Us