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Caregiver guide · Young carers

Young Carer Navigator

School, money, peer support, and crisis resources for youth and young adults who regularly help a family member in Canada.

If you help a parent, sibling, grandparent, or other relative with health, disability, or daily needs, you are not alone. Scroll through the sections below for practical steps and verified links.

What to do this week

A short sequence you can follow at your own pace. Nothing is saved to an account.

  1. Tell one trusted person that caregiving is affecting you.
  2. Write down how caregiving affects school, work, sleep, finances, or wellbeing.
  3. Contact one relevant school or community support.
  4. Check possible household benefits with the MyEligible quiz.
  5. Save emergency and backup-care contacts where you can reach them quickly.

This checklist is for planning only. Programs and school policies vary; confirm details with each organization.

School and academic accommodations

Schools and colleges may adjust deadlines, attendance, or access to supports when family caregiving affects your learning. Availability depends on your institution and circumstances.

High school

Start with a teacher, guidance counsellor, or principal. In Ontario, an individualized education plan (IEP) may document accommodations when caregiving affects learning; other provinces use similar plans under different names.

College or university

Contact accessibility services, your program office, or residence staff early. Post-secondary institutions often have formal accommodation processes separate from high school.

Sample message you can adapt

You do not need to share diagnosis details about the person you care for. Share only what affects your attendance or coursework.

I provide regular care for a family member, and it is affecting my attendance, deadlines, or ability to study. Could we discuss available flexibility or student supports?

Share only what you are comfortable sharing. You can ask about supports without disclosing medical details about your family member.

  • Canada-wideSchool supportFreeOfficial source

    Public health school-health overview

    Health Canada guidance on how schools support student health and wellbeing, including when family illness or disability affects learning.

    Ask about school accommodations

    Last verified: 2026-07

    Source: Public Health Agency of Canada

  • OntarioSchool supportFreeOfficial source
    High school

    Ontario individualized education plans

    In Ontario, an IEP can document accommodations when caregiving or related stress affects learning. Other provinces use similar learning plans under different names.

    View Ontario special education guidance

    Last verified: 2026-07

    Source: Government of Ontario

Money, bursaries, and household benefits

Organized by what you may need help with. Household benefits usually belong to the care recipient or the household, not directly to the young carer.

The MyEligible quiz shows possible matches only. Governments and program administrators make final eligibility decisions. It does not calculate benefit amounts on this page.

  • Student grants and loans

    Federal and provincial student aid for post-secondary students. Some provinces add grants on top of base aid.

  • Young carer bursaries

    Charitable bursaries published by the Young Caregivers Association for ages 5 to 25. Check current intake windows before applying.

  • Household benefits

    The quiz can surface provincial programs, caregiver tax credits, and disability-related supports based on your household, province, and circumstances.

    Check benefits for your household

  • Peer programs and activities

    Some young carer programs include recreation, coaching, or group activities that can reduce isolation. They are not a substitute for formal respite funding.

Respite, peer support, and young carer programs

Non-profit hubs run groups, recreation, and navigation so young carers can connect with peers who understand the role.

  • Canada-widePeer supportFreeNonprofit

    Ages 5-25

    Powerhouse (Young Caregivers Association)

    National charity programming with peer connection, skills building, and clinical services for young people ages 5 to 25 supporting a family member.

    Find peer support

    Last verified: 2026-07

    Source: Young Caregivers Association

  • OntarioPeer supportFreeNonprofit

    Young Caregivers Connect (Ontario)

    Ontario-only online forums and peer navigation operated by the Ontario Caregiver Organization. Not available in other provinces. Helpline: 1-833-416-2273 (CARE).

    Find peer support in Ontario

    Last verified: 2026-07

    Source: Ontario Caregiver Organization

Support in your province

Canada-wide resources appear throughout this guide. These provincial caregiver hubs add young carer modules where verified content exists.

Not every province has equivalent young carer programs. Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia links below are verified; other provinces may have fewer dedicated services.

Mental health and crisis support

Caring for someone while growing up can be isolating. Use the urgent panel above for crisis lines; this section covers ongoing emotional support and wellbeing.

School counsellors, student wellness services, and community mental health programs may help with stress, grief, or burnout from caregiving. Ask what is available at your school or through your provincial health system.

For immediate crisis support, see urgent help above · peer support programs

Young Carer Navigator | MyEligible