If you are a parent caring for a child with a severe disability, you may be able to receive some financial help.
The Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program helps parents with some of the extra costs of caring for a child who has a severe disability.
Who can get help? A parent or a legal guardian whose child:
What the program pays for Parents can get between $25 and $440 a month to help with costs, such as:
The Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program helps parents with some of the extra costs of caring for a child who has a severe disability.
Who can get help? A parent or a legal guardian whose child:
- is under 18 years of age,
- lives at home,
- and has a severe disability
What the program pays for Parents can get between $25 and $440 a month to help with costs, such as:
- travel to doctors and hospitals
- special shoes and clothes
- parental relief
- wheelchair repairs
- assistive devices
- hearing aids
- hearing aid batteries
- prescription drugs
- dental care
- eyeglasses.
- the family's income
- the severity of the disability
- the kind of difficulties the child has when
- walking
- communicating
- feeding himself
- bathing himself
- the extraordinary costs related to the disability.
- Contact your local regional office and ask for an application form.
- Complete the application form and return it to the regional office along with any documentation asked for.
- A Special Agreements Officer will review your application and will contact you if they need more information.
- You will receive a letter saying whether or not you qualify for a grant and, if so, how much you will receive.
Information for Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD)
The following is a summary of the ongoing extraordinary costs which can be covered under Assistance for Children with
Severe Disabilities (ACSD)
before proceeding with these puchases or repairs
17. Items covered by the Assistive devices Program will be covered at 100% of the ADP approved cost
18. Other items not mentioned in the above examples will be considered based on the individual needs of the disabled child.
Contact Ministry of Children and Youth Services
347 Preston Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 3H8
Toll free: 1-800-267-5111
www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/specialneeds/disabilities/index.aspx
The following is a summary of the ongoing extraordinary costs which can be covered under Assistance for Children with
Severe Disabilities (ACSD)
- Transportation, lodging and meal costs may be considered when the purpose of the trip is to escort the child for treatment related to the disability or related medical care. Transportation costs paid to a common carrier (i.e. bus, train, etc.) are allowable at actual cost. You will be reimbursed at 18 cents/kilomentre for the use of a private vehicle
- Family Relief, Personal Development, Growth and Programming, Social Programs and Camps.
- Preschool or Nursery School costs may be considered an extraordinary expense if recommended by a physician, therapist, or other professional.
- If the child is under 12 years old, child care shall be the difference between the cost of regular care and the ost of specialized care as a result of the disability. If the child does not require specialized care, no costs will be allowed. If child is 12 years old and or over, all costs are considered extra and 100% of the cost will be allowed.
- Extraordinary costs for clothing, bed linen and laundry is the difference in price between normal costs and extra costs related to the child's special needs.
- Special diets required by child must be allowable by the Ministry guidelines; the cost is determined by the guidelines. A "Special Diet Application Form" or letter of recommenation must be completed by the child's physician, registered dietician or registered nurse.
- Diapers are usually considered a normal cost for children under the ae of three. Children over the age of three who require diapers all of the time must apply for a grant from Easter Seals at 1-888-377-5437 or www.easterseals.org . The cost of pull ups that are required sometimes for children over the age of three is considered an extraordinary cost.
- Extraordinary medical supplies and non-prescription drugs can be considered if they are directly related to the chld's disability and not covere by any other plan.
- Special learning/Development/equipment will be reviewed. If special items have been recommended by a professional written verification may be required.
- Social Programs, Summer Camps Fees and related transportation expenses can be considered extraordinary costs. Lump sum funding may be available if your benefit is not at the maximum amount, check with your Special Agreements officer.
- Hearing aids, earmold and batteries are cost shared with the Ministry of Health's Assistive Devices Program(ADP). Your audiologist must provide us with an assessment and written documentation of the estimated costs prior to making the purchase. The cost of the hearing aid evaluation (or re-evaluation if one is necessary) is not covered by OHIP and can be covered by ACSD if it is not covered under another resource. Advance authorization from the Ministry must be received before proceeding with repairs to hearing aids.
- The cost of the consumer contribution for annual lease payments for high technology communication devices approved by ADP will be approved up to the amount permitted under ADP. Advance authorization from the Ministry must be received before proceeding with the lease agreement.
- Mobility Devices, ACSD provides coverage for the cost of batteries and necessary repairs for mobility devices used by the disabled child if these costs are not otherwise reimbursed. Mobility devices include manual or electric wheelchairs, scooters and walkers. Advance authorization from Ministry must be received before proceeding with repairs to a mobility device. Contact the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care's Assistive Devices Program regarding the purchase of mobility devices.
- An Ontario drug Benefit (ODB) is sent at the end of every month that you are eligible for the ACSD benefit. The ODB card covers most prescription drugs. Special coverage for a non-listed drug may need to be requested via a "Section 8" if the required prescription is not covered by ODB. Your doctor must make a special written request to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
- A dental card will be provided which covers basic dental care. Your dentist is aware of the services that are covered under this program. Please present your card prior to having any dental work done.
- New eyeglasses and repairs are covered providing you obtain prior authorization. Please call 788-2399 or 787-4064
before proceeding with these puchases or repairs
17. Items covered by the Assistive devices Program will be covered at 100% of the ADP approved cost
18. Other items not mentioned in the above examples will be considered based on the individual needs of the disabled child.
Contact Ministry of Children and Youth Services
347 Preston Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 3H8
Toll free: 1-800-267-5111
www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/topics/specialneeds/disabilities/index.aspx