Caregivers
Programs for unpaid caregivers in Ontario
Curated Ontario and federal programs covering EI caregiving, ODSP, GAINS, Trillium Drug Program, ODB, and key supports, with official links.
Start here
What do you need help with?
Choose one starting point. Nothing is selected until you choose it.
- Check benefits for both of youAnswer once for yourself and the person you support. Results explain who each program is for.Start here
- Browse by who the program supportsFilter programs for yourself, a senior, an adult, or a child you support.Start here
Need help arranging care too?
Benefits are only one part of caregiving. If you are trying to arrange home support, assessment, supportive living, dementia care, or next steps as needs change, start with care planning.
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.
Listed programs may have income, asset, or other eligibility tests. This guide doesn't check your eligibility.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Care planning and situation guides
Benefits are only one part of caregiving. These guides help with decisions, paperwork, and practical next steps.
- Open guidePlan care and next stepsBenefits are only one part of caregiving. Arrange home support, assessment, supportive living, and next steps as needs change, starting with a province-specific plan.
- Open guideUnderstand disability benefitsSee how disability income, tax credits, and savings programs can work together.
- Open guideCare for someone with dementiaFind financial supports, care options, and steps for changing needs.
- Open guideManage cancer-related costsCheck income replacement, treatment, medication, travel, and caregiver supports.
- Open guideSupport a young caregiverOpen guidance designed for people under 26 who help care for someone.
- Open guidePlan deadlines and next stepsBuild a caregiving timeline with tasks, dates, and application checkpoints.
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.
Feedback on this list
If something is missing, outdated, or unclear on this page, please send us an email. Put "Correction" in the subject line if you can.
We aim to reply within a few business days. When a report needs checking against official sources, that review can take longer than a reply. We update MyEligible when we verify an error. We may not be able to confirm every reported change, and we cannot handle individual benefit casework or emergency assistance.
If you can, include the page or program, what looks wrong, and a link to an official source when you have one. Please do not send your SIN, exact income, medical information, or quiz links that contain personal answers.