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Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD)
Last verified: April 2026. Always confirm details on the official page.
Who qualifies for ACSD in Ontario
Families with a child under 18 who has a severe disability and lives at home. As of the current Ontario application form, the household income threshold is listed as $76,920 and ACSD payments are listed as $25 to $665 per month — check the official page for current figures. ACSD is a separate Ontario program with its own eligibility and payment rules — it does not replace OAP or SSAH, and many families pursue more than one. Confirm specific interactions with your MCCSS regional office before assuming.
Eligibility check
- Child under 18 with a severe disability
- Income tested: household income must be at or below the current threshold (listed as $76,920 on the current Ontario application form)
- Child lives at home
- Separate program from SSAH.SSAH is not income tested. ACSD is. You may be eligible for both — confirm with your regional MCCSS office.
- Separate program from OAP. ACSD eligibility is decided on its own criteria; do not assume one program automatically affects the other.
ACSD is a monthly provincial payment to help cover the extra costs of raising a child with a severe disability. Your actual amount depends on family size, severity, extraordinary costs, and household income. It is separate from OAP and from SSAH.
The income threshold and payment amounts are set by the province and may change. Check the official page for current figures.
Does ACSD affect my OAP, SSAH, or DTC eligibility
ACSD is a separate Ontario program with its own eligibility rules. Each of the programs below has its own application and decision process, so do not assume ACSD automatically affects (or is affected by) any of them. For specific benefit interactions, confirm with the official program office or, for federal benefits, with the CRA.
Programs commonly held alongside ACSD
- OAP and SSAH: separate Ontario programs, each with its own eligibility. Many families hold more than one. Confirm specific interactions with your regional MCCSS office.
- Canada Disability Benefit (federal, ages 18–64): the ontario.ca ACSD page states that receiving the federal Canada Disability Benefit does not affect ACSD eligibility or payment amounts. Verify your situation with the official source.
- ADP, OHIP+, Healthy Smiles Ontario:separate Ontario programs that many families pursue alongside ACSD. Each has its own eligibility — check with the program office.
How do I apply for ACSD
Apply online at tpon.gov.on.ca or submit a paper application to your local (Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services) regional office. Online applications must be completed within 90 days of starting.
What to have ready
Be ready to provide information about your child's diagnosis, your household income, and the extra costs you face. Your MCCSS regional office can tell you exactly what they need when you start the application.
What happens after I apply for ACSD
MCCSS reviews your application and determines your payment amount. Monthly payments begin once approved. The province does not publish a standard processing time. If you have not heard back in a reasonable timeframe, call your regional MCCSS office.
- Apply online or by paper
- If online, complete the full application within 90 days
- MCCSS reviews your application and determines the amount
- Monthly payments begin once approved
Are there deadlines for ACSD
No annual deadline. You can apply any time your child meets the criteria. If you apply online, you must complete the full application within 90 days of starting it.
What if my ACSD application is denied
Request an internal review within 30 days of the decision. If you still disagree after the internal review, you can appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal.
Common questions about ACSD
- Is this the same as SSAH? No. SSAH pays for specific services like respite. ACSD is a monthly cash payment for general extra costs. They are separate programs with separate applications.
- Does the federal Canada Disability Benefit reduce my ACSD? Per the ontario.ca ACSD page, receiving the federal Canada Disability Benefit does not affect ACSD eligibility or payment amounts. Verify with the official source if your situation is unusual.
- What if my income goes above $76,920? You may no longer qualify. You are expected to report changes. Contact your regional MCCSS office if your situation changes.
ACSD payment dates, amount, and income cut off
Quick answers to the questions families search for most. All figures are based on the official ontario.ca ACSD page — always confirm before relying on them.
ACSD FAQ
- When are ACSD payments paid? Monthly, once approved. Ontario.ca does not publish a fixed calendar of ACSD payment dates. Per ontario.ca, the 2026 inflation-based increase to ACSD takes effect on July 1, 2026.
- What is the ACSD income cut off? Household income of $76,920 or less, per the current Ontario application form. The province sets this threshold and may update it.
- How much is the ACSD monthly payment?Between $25 and $665 a month, per ontario.ca. The amount depends on family size, severity of the child's disability, and extraordinary costs related to the disability.
- Does the federal Canada Disability Benefit reduce ACSD? No. Per ontario.ca, receiving the federal Canada Disability Benefit does not affect ACSD eligibility or the payment amount.
What mistakes do families make with ACSD
Official source
Your local MCCSS regional office handles ACSD applications and questions. You can find your regional office through the Ontario government website.
This guide is based on publicly available government information. Always verify with the official page:
Ontario.ca: Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (opens in new tab)Last verified against official source: April 2026
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What to do next
Apply for SSAH if you have not already
Separate provincial program for respite and daily supports. Not income tested. You can hold SSAH and ACSD at the same time.
See how to apply for SSAH →
Apply for the Disability Tax Credit
Federal CRA program. DTC approval is required for RDSP access and Child Disability Benefit eligibility. Not income tested. Separate from ACSD with its own application and decision.
See how to apply for the DTC →
Check all available programs
Make sure you are not missing anything. Programs have separate applications and rules; many families pursue more than one.
See all funding guides →
Not sure what other programs may apply?
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