Programs for unpaid caregivers in Ontario

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Listed programs may have income, asset, or other eligibility tests. This guide doesn't check your eligibility.

Young caregiver

Young Carer Navigator

This hub lists programs by province. Our standalone guide covers school accommodations, bursaries, peer support, and crisis lines in one place.

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Young Caregivers Association — Powerhouse program (informational)
Canada's leading young caregiver charity runs Powerhouse, peer support, and clinical services for young people ages 5 to 25 who support a family member.
Apply on Youngcaregivers.ca
Young Caregivers Connect — online peer support (informational)
Online forums, tips, and peer connection for young caregivers, operated by the Ontario Caregiver Organization. Helpline: 1-833-416-2273 (CARE).
Apply on Youngcaregiversconnect.ca
Hospice Toronto — Young Carers Program (informational)
Therapeutic, recreational, and educational programs in the Toronto area for children and youth ages 5 to 18 in a family caregiving role.
Apply on Hospicetoronto.ca
Ontario Caregiver Organization — young caregiver resources (informational)
Provincial hub with peer support groups, coaching, and navigation for young caregivers under 25, plus a 24/7 helpline at 1-833-416-2273.
Apply on Ontariocaregiver.ca

Old Age Security pension
Monthly taxable pension from age 65 for long-term residents and citizens, with a 10% increase from age 75.
Apply on Canada.ca
Guaranteed Income Supplement
Income-tested
Tax-free monthly top-up for low-income seniors who receive Old Age Security.
Apply on Canada.ca
Allowance (ages 60 to 64)
Monthly tax-free benefit for people aged 60 to 64 whose spouse or partner receives GIS and full OAS.
Apply on Canada.ca
Allowance for the Survivor
Monthly tax-free benefit for widowed people aged 60 to 64 with low income.
Apply on Canada.ca
CPP (Canada Pension Plan) Disability Benefit
Monthly CPP disability pension for contributors under age 65 with severe and prolonged disability.
Apply on Canada.ca
CPP Children's Benefit
Monthly payment for children of a CPP disabled or deceased contributor.
Apply on Canada.ca
Child Disability Benefit
Tax-free monthly payment added to CCB (Canada Child Benefit) for children under 18 who are approved for the DTC (Disability Tax Credit).
Apply on Canada.ca
Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC)
Non-refundable federal credit for qualifying renovations that improve accessibility or reduce risk of harm in a principal residence for a senior or a DTC-eligible person.
Apply on Canada.ca
Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit (MHRTC)
Refundable federal tax credit for qualifying renovations that create a self-contained secondary suite for a senior or a DTC-eligible adult in your home.
Apply on Canada.ca
Transfer disability amount to supporting person
Unused disability tax credit may transfer to a spouse or other supporting person (line 31800).
Apply on Canada.ca
Disability Tax Credit
Federal non-refundable tax credit for people with a severe and prolonged impairment certified on Form T2201.
Apply on Canada.ca
RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan) Grants and Bonds
Registered savings plan for people approved for the Disability Tax Credit, with federal matching grants and income-tested bonds.
Apply on Canada.ca
VAC (Veterans Affairs Canada) Survivor’s Pension (Pension Act) & survivor income supports
For veterans' families
Monthly or ongoing survivor benefits may apply under the *Pension Act* and the newer **Pension for Life** framework (e.g., Income Replacement Benefit for eligible survivors), depending on the veteran’s VAC file.
Apply on Gc.ca
Medical expense tax credit (METC)
Non-refundable federal credit for eligible medical expenses above the threshold based on net income (and family member rules on Schedule 5).
Apply on Canada.ca

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Income- or asset-tested
Income- and asset-tested provincial monthly income support and health-related benefits for adults 18 or older who meet Ontario's disability and financial tests, separate from the federal Disability Tax Credit and CPP-D (Canada Pension Plan Disability).
Apply on Ontario.ca
Ontario Works — financial assistance
Income- or asset-tested
Income- and asset-tested last-resort monthly financial assistance for Ontario residents who need help with basic needs and shelter costs.
Apply on Ontario.ca
Ontario GAINS (Guaranteed Annual Income System)
Income-tested
Non-taxable monthly Ontario top-up for low-income seniors who receive or are eligible for federal GIS, paid alongside OAS/GIS.
Apply on Ontario.ca
Ontario Assistive Devices Program (ADP)
Ontario shares the cost of wheelchairs, hearing aids, and other prescribed assistive devices for eligible residents.
Apply on Ontario.ca
Ontario Special Services at Home (SSAH)
Direct funding for eligible families caring for a child with a developmental or physical disability.
Apply on Ontario.ca
Ontario — Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD)
Monthly payment from $25 to $665 for families caring for a child under 18 with a severe disability, based on income and extraordinary costs.
Apply on Ontario.ca
Ontario Passport Program
Ontario reimburses eligible community participation expenses from about $5,500 up to $44,275 per year after Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) assessment. Not income-tested.
Apply on Ontario.ca
Ontario Autism Program (OAP) — AccessOAP intake (informational)
Needs-based autism supports for children and youth under 18 in Ontario. Apply through AccessOAP; this tool does not ask about an autism diagnosis.
Apply on Accessoap.ca
Ontario Home and Vehicle Modification Program
Funding toward essential home and vehicle modifications for people with substantial mobility impairments after other funding sources are considered.
Apply on Ontario.ca
Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit
Refundable Ontario credit for eligible medical expenses that support aging at home: up to 25% of $6,000 in expenses (max $1,500), reduced when family net income exceeds $35,000.
Apply on Ontario.ca
Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program
Free routine and preventive dental services for income-eligible Ontario seniors 65+ without other dental coverage.
Apply on Ontario.ca
Ontario Senior Homeowners' Property Tax Grant
Annual Ontario grant for low- and moderate-income seniors who own and occupy a principal residence and pay property tax, claimed on Form ON-BEN.
Apply on Canada.ca
Ontario Drug Benefit (seniors)
Prescription drug coverage for Ontario residents 65+ on the ODB formulary, automatic enrollment at 65; optional Seniors Co-Payment Program for lower deductibles/copays by income.
Apply on Ontario.ca
Ontario Trillium Drug Program
Provincial coverage after an income-tested annual deductible for people without private drug insurance who have high prescription costs.
Apply on Ontario.ca
Healthy Smiles Ontario
Provincial dental coverage for children and youth 17 and under in eligible low-income households (and automatic enrolment for some social assistance streams).
Apply on Ontario.ca
Ontario Trillium Benefit
Combines sales tax credit, energy & property tax credit, and northern energy credit.
Apply on Ontario.ca

These adult caregiver tax credits and EI benefits usually apply to caregivers 18 and older. They stay listed for reference.

Employment Insurance — caregiving benefits (family caregiver and compassionate care)
Service Canada’s published EI caregiving hub describing family caregiver benefits for critically ill adults or children and compassionate care benefits for end-of-life support, with separate medical certificate rules.
Apply on Canada.ca
EI Family Caregiver Benefit for adults
Up to 15 weeks of EI income replacement when you provide care or support to a critically ill or injured adult.
Apply on Canada.ca
EI Family Caregiver Benefit for children
Up to 35 weeks of EI income replacement when you care for a critically ill or injured child under 18.
Apply on Canada.ca
EI Compassionate Care Benefit
Up to 26 weeks of EI income replacement when you care for or support someone with a serious medical condition and significant risk of death within 26 weeks.
Apply on Canada.ca
Canada Caregiver Credit
Non-refundable federal tax credit for supporting an infirm spouse or dependant.
Apply on Canada.ca
Caregiver Recognition Benefit
For veterans' families
Tax-free monthly VAC payment for unpaid caregivers of veterans with a severe, service-related disability and a disability benefit.
Apply on Gc.ca

This guide lists federal and Ontario programs for unpaid caregivers, plus selected municipal supports. It may not include every program, especially home care, respite, or smaller communities. If something is missing or a link looks wrong, use the feedback section below.

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If something is missing, outdated, or unclear on this page, please email me.

Programs for unpaid caregivers in Ontario

Young Carer Navigator

Young caregiver supports

Young Caregivers Association — Powerhouse program (informational)

Young Caregivers Connect — online peer support (informational)

Hospice Toronto — Young Carers Program (informational)

Ontario Caregiver Organization — young caregiver resources (informational)

Federal supports for the person you care for

Provincial supports for the person you care for

Municipal supports

Federal supports for the caregiver

Employment Insurance — caregiving benefits (family caregiver and compassionate care)

EI Family Caregiver Benefit for adults

EI Family Caregiver Benefit for children

EI Compassionate Care Benefit

Canada Caregiver Credit

Caregiver Recognition Benefit

Provincial supports for the caregiver

Feedback on this list