Children with Complex Medical Needs
CCMN Funding Options
Funding Options for Children with Complex Medical Needs
- Ontario's Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program (ACSD): ACSD is a program in Ontario that provides financial support for low-income and moderate-income families to cover some of the extra costs of caring for a child who has a severe disability.
- Ontario's Assistive Devices Program (ADP): Through ADP, people with long-term physical disabilities pay for customized equipment, like wheelchairs and hearing aids. ADP also helps cover the cost of specialized supplies, such as those used with ostomies.
- Ontario's Disability Support Program (ODSP): ODSP is one of Ontario’s social assistance programs which provides income and employment supports to eligible Ontario residents who have disabilities. If a child receives ACSD, they will generally be automatically switched over to ODSP when eligible.
- Special Services at Home Program (SSAH): Families who are caring for a child with a developmental and/or physical disability can apply to the special services at home program to get funding for primary caregiver relief and related supports or for activities of personal growth or development including camps and recreational activities, like swimming and music classes.
These agencies are based in the province of Ontario, Canada. We encourage parents, guardians and/or caregivers of children who believe they may be eligible for these program to visit the websites below to learn more. VHA is not endorsed by any of these programs. This list is simply a helpful guide that was developed by members of our Children with Complex Medical Needs Steering Committee.
- Ability Online: Ability Online is an online forum for parents and caregivers of children with complex medical needs to meet others like them. Their Ability Gives grant program focuses on helping families with children (under 18 years of age) with a disability or complex medical condition receive the equipment they need.
- A Child's Voice: A Child’s Voice Foundation was started as a way to help the many children who were falling between the cracks of our social safety net and health care system. Their Kids Life Line Programs provides a one-time fulfillment of a necessary product or service that is not funded elsewhere including small medical equipment or supplies, nursing care, therapy, medication, parking permits for hospitals visits, specialized furniture and more.
- ALS Ontario: ALS Canada helps people diagnosed with ALS to cope with the daily challenges of decreasing mobility and communication ability and to help with retaining independence. Access to equipment and assistive devices is essential for your safety, comfort and functioning as a person living with ALS. In Ontario, the ALS Canada has an Equipment Program which provides access to basic and essential assistive equipment through their loan equipment program, funding assistance programs for some leased and rented equipment, flexible funding program for small bathroom equipment.
- City of Toronto's Hardship Fund: Funds may be available to pay for certain medically based items/services such as eyeglasses, emergency dental work, medication, medical items (walkers, hearing aids, hospital beds and more) or funeral expenses.
- Easter Seals Ontario Equipment Funding: Easter Seals Ontario is committed to helping children, youth and young adults with physical disabilities and their families. Children and youth who are registered with Easter Seals Ontario may be eligible to receive funding for essential mobility and accessibility equipment.
- Holland Bloorview Family Support Fund: Holland Bloorview's Family Support Fund offers financial support to Holland Bloorview clients and families during times of transition or stress. The fund may provide financial compensation for equipment, medication, recreational activities and respite services during their journey as a Holland Bloorview client.
- Jennifer Ashleigh Children's Charity: Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity provides financial support for Ontario
families of sick children, who have limited incomes and extraordinary costs surrounding their child’s serious illness. The funding may cover medical treatment, hospital treatment costs, therapies, household costs or respite care. - Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy: The OFCP offers funding assistance grants to Individual Members of the OFCP who have cerebral palsy.
- March of Dimes' Assistive Devices Program: March of Dimes Canada Assistive Devices Program assists adults with physical disabilities who are in financial need to purchase assistive devices that increase their mobility and functional independence. The program can help to buy, repair and maintain a wide variety of mobility or assistive equipment.
- March of Dimes' Home & Vehicle Modification® Program: Funded by the government of Ontario, the Home and Vehicle Modification® Program helps people living in Ontario pay for crucial renovations and retrofits. This includes anything from widening doorways for a wheelchair to modifying a van so someone who uses an assistive device can drive it. The goal is to keep people at home and in their communities.
- Private health insurance: Many insurance companies in Ontario (i.e. health insurance through your workplace, health insurance through your credit card, etc.) may offer a program to help parents or caregivers of children with complex medical needs. Connect with your insurance brokerage to learn more.
- VHA's Simple Comforts Fund: The Simple Comforts fund at VHA is for urgent client needs. It can be accessed by staff, service providers, supervisors, and managers at VHA. The fund is meant to be used for “one-time” urgent client needs when services or products are not available to the client and not funded by other public or third party payors. Please speak with your VHA service provider for more information.
These agencies are based in Canada. We encourage parents, guardians and/or caregivers of children who believe they may be eligible for these program to visit the websites below to learn more. VHA is not endorsed by any of these programs. This list is simply a helpful guide that was developed by members of our Children with Complex Medical Needs Steering Committee.
- Canadian Hearing Services: The hearing healthcare team at Canadian Hearing Services (CHS) is knowledgeable about the various funding and financial resources available for hearing aids and communication devices. They can help you identify if you are eligible for funding and walk you through the application process.
- MS Society: The MS Society offers individuals living with MS a wide variety of programs that promote personal independence and contribute to an enhanced quality of life. The Quality of Life Equipment Grants are designed to provide financial assistance to those requiring support with the purchase of mobility equipment, and safety devices.
- Sunshine Foundation of Canada: The Sunshine Foundation of Canada is a charity that changes the lives of kids living with severe physical disabilities through our dream programs. Unlike other organizations, a Sunshine dream experience is not a child's last wish but an opportunity that leads to a brighter, more hopeful future.
- War Amps of Canada: The War Amps of Canada offers two programs geared towards children amputees: The Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program and JUMPSTART. CHAMP offers comprehensive services to child amputees and their families, including financial assistance, for children in Canada under the age of 18 years old who who are born missing a limb or have lost a limb due to an accident or medical causes. Through JUMPSTART, children with multiple amputations receive funding for computers and assistive computer devices.