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Special Services at Home (SSAH)
Last verified: April 2026. Always confirm details on the official page.
Who can apply for SSAH in Ontario
Any Ontario family with a child under 18 who has a developmental or physical disability and lives at home. Not income tested. No OAP registration needed. No autism diagnosis required.
Quick check
- Child under 18 with a developmental or physical disability
- Ontario resident, legally entitled to live in Canada
- Child lives at home (not in government funded residential care)
- Not income tested. Your household income does not matter.
- No OAP registration needed. This is a separate program.
- No autism diagnosis required. SSAH covers developmental and physical disabilities broadly.
SSAH pays for respite workers, daily supports, and development activities. It is completely separate from OAP. Getting SSAH does not reduce your OAP funding. You can hold both at the same time.
Apply now. Do not wait for your Core Clinical invitation. Many families miss years of support because they did not know SSAH existed.
Do I need an autism diagnosis to apply for SSAH
No. SSAH covers developmental and physical disabilities broadly. An autism diagnosis counts, but it is not required. If your child has a documented developmental delay, you can apply.
- Your child is under 18 with a developmental or physical disability
- You live in Ontario and your child is legally entitled to live in Canada
- Your child lives at home (not in government funded residential care)
- Not income tested. Your household income does not matter
What documents do I need to apply for SSAH
Documents you need:
- Medical documentationdescribing your child's functional limitations from a regulated health professional. For infants, a statement about probable delay is accepted.
- Proof of Ontario residency (school registration, utility bill)
- Proof of legal residency in Canada (passport, birth certificate, PR card)
- Age verification (birth certificate, health card, or passport)
How do I apply for SSAH
Three ways:
- Online:Start the application on the ontario.ca SSAH page. You have 90 days to finish. The form asks about your child's strengths, goals, and needs.
- Paper form: Download from the same page, fill it out, mail to your local regional office.
- Phone: Call your regional office and they will help you get started.
What happens after I apply for SSAH
- Online submissions get an email confirmation. Paper submissions do not.
- The ministry reviews your application and decides eligibility and funding amount.
- You get a letter. If approved, it includes your authorization number and next steps. If denied, it explains why and how to request a review.
- SSAH is discretionary. Funding depends on available resources, so amounts vary.
Allow about 30 business days for expense payments to process once you submit invoices, plus 3 to 5 days for bank deposit.
What can SSAH funding be used for
SSAH covers respite workers, daily supports, and growth and development activities. You can split your funding across all three categories. It does not cover therapy (ABA, speech, OT) since those go through OAP.
Respite
Hiring someone to care for your child so you can take a break. Respite workers, camps, overnight care, before and after school care, PA day coverage. Family members over 18 who are not the main caregiver or their spouse can be paid.
Daily supports
Sensory items, tutoring, self care help, safety supports, and special clothing.
Growth and development
Social programs, fitness activities, hobbies, and future planning supports.
Not covered by SSAH
Groceries, rent, home renovations, phone or internet, therapy (ABA, speech, OT goes through OAP), devices covered by ADP, or out of province services without pre approval.
Are there deadlines for SSAH
- Applications accepted year round.
- 90 days to complete an online application once started.
Expense deadline and age cutoff
Submit expenses within one year of your funding end date. After the deadline, the money is gone. SSAH also stops when your child turns 18. Talk to your regional MCCSS office about adult services well before the birthday.
What if my SSAH application is denied
You can request a review. Write to your Regional Office Director within 20 business days. Someone who was not involved in the original decision reviews your case and responds within 20 business days. If you are still not satisfied, you can escalate to the Assistant Deputy Minister within 20 business days. That decision is final.
Can I have SSAH and OAP at the same time
Yes. SSAH is completely separate from OAP. Getting SSAH does not reduce your OAP funding. You can hold SSAH, OAP, DTC, and ACSD at the same time. See how all programs relate
- SSAH does not cover therapy (ABA, speech, OT). Those go through OAP Core Clinical.
- SSAH does not cover devices already funded by ADP. Check ADP coverage first.
Common mistakes
Contact
Official source
This guide is based on publicly available government information. Always verify with the official page:
ontario.ca: Special Services at Home (opens in new tab)Last verified against official source: April 2026
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What to do next
Apply for the Disability Tax Credit
DTC approval is required to open an RDSP. Federal, separate from SSAH. Apply now even if your income is low because it opens the Child Disability Benefit too.
See how to apply for the DTC →
Register for OAP Core Clinical
The main therapy funding. The wait is years, so your registration date matters. Register the day you get a written diagnosis.
See how to register →
Use free supports while you wait
Foundational Family Services are free for all OAP registered families. No invitation needed. Most waitlisted families do not know these exist.
See what to do while waiting →
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