Newcomer Tipsheet: Funding Programs and Tax Assistance

Government Assistance

Name	Description	Eligibility
CCB - Canada Child Benefit	The Canada child benefit is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under the age of 18.	Permanent Resident Protected Person Temporary Resident
Ontario Disability Support Program	ODSP offers money to help with living expenses, including food and rent, health benefits, prescription drugs and vision care, and employment support to help you find and keep a job or advance your career.	Adults over 18 years of age Ontario Resident Made a refugee claim Made an application for permanent resident Permanent Resident
Ontario Works	Ontario Works offers money to help you and your eligible family members with living expenses, including food and rent, health benefits and employment supports	Ontario Resident Made a refugee claim Made an application for permanent resident
Emergency Assistance	If you are in an emergency and you live in Ontario, you might be eligible for emergency assistance, which will provide you with temporary financial support.	Ontario Resident Made a refugee claim Made an application for permanent resident

Funding Programs

Name of Funding	What it Covers	Eligibility
ACSD - Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities	Issues between $25 and $646 per month for the following services: Respite Care / Camps Recreational activities Specialized daycare / nursery Costs of medical supplies Transportation to appointments Specialized equipment and repair Batteries for mobility devices Specialized clothing / shoes / Orthotics and sensory toys Special Diet Prescription medication Basic dental / hearing / vision	Children under 18 with a disability Household income less than $76,000 Permanent Residence Applied to Permanent Residence Refugee claimant Granted Refugee Status
SSAH - Special Services at Home	Support for the child to participate in day-to-day activities Support for the child to participate in activities of growth and development Respite services and support	Children under 18 with a disability Child must live at home with their main caregiver Permanent Residence Refugee Status Temporary Resident Permit
OAP - Ontario Autism Program	Therapies such as behavioural, speech, occupational, etc. Respite services Travel expenses Technology such as computers	currently live in Ontario have a written diagnosis of autism from a qualified professional (International Autism Diagnosis is accepted)
ADP - Assistive Devices Program	Covers 75% of costs of the following (remaining 25% can be paid by other programs): Mobility aids Hearing aids and other devices Communication aids Visual aids Diabetic equipment Respiratory equipment a Home oxygen therapy Artificial eyes and facial prosthetics Custom orthotic braces, compression garments and lymphedema pumps Enteral-feeding pumps and ostomy supplies	This program is only accepted by participating vendors, please visit the website and inquire before purchasing Ontario resident have a valid Ontario health card have a disability requiring the equipment or supplies for six months or longer
Easter Seals Incontinence Supplies Grant	Up to $900 per year for the following: diapers and pull-ups attends swimmers and catheters	Children between 3-18 Ontario Residents have an Ontario Health Card have a chronic disability that results in irreversible incontinence or retention problems
Easter Seals Equipment Funding	Maximum funding of $3,000 per calendar year for the following: Accessibility, bathroom, and toileting aids Communication devices and orthotics Walkers, wheelchairs and standers Van lifts	under the age of 19 years and registered with Easter Seals Ontario a legal resident of Ontario have an Ontario Health Card
Passport Program	The maximum amount a person can receive is $44,275 per year, however, the average amount is $5,500 per year Community participation and activities of daily living Caregiver respite Person-directed planning Administration Technology Community participation and supports supplies and equipment	Adults over 18 years old who have a developmental disability living in Ontario with a valid health card

Tax Assistance

Name	Description	Eligibility
Webinar - Newcomers to Canada	This webinar from the Government of Canada covers topic such as Canada’s tax system, residency status for income tax purposes, different ways to do taxes, and much more.	This webinar can be used by all newcomers
Newcomers to Canada – Introduction to Taxes	This webpage from the Government of Canada goes through information about the Canadian Tax system.	This page can be used by all newcomers to get information on Tax returns
DTC - Disability Tax Credit	You can apply if you are caring for a child with a “severe and prolonged impairment”, or if you are someone with a “severe and prolonged impairment”.	Canadian Citizen Permanent Resident Temporary Residents Must be filled out by a medical professional
Free Tax Clinics	Participating organizations host free tax clinics where volunteers complete income tax and benefit returns to ensure they receive, or continue to receive, the benefits and credits they are entitled to.	Newcomers to Canada
Woodgreen Financial Empowerment Office	WoodGreen Financial Empowerment Services provide free tax clinics, budgeting workshops, debt management and other resources designed to improve financial literacy and money management skills and help clients reach their financial goals.	Newcomers to Canada

For more help finding additional newcomer or legal resources for your family (like recreation and school-based information), please feel free to contact our Family Support Specialists at resourcecentre@hollandbloorview.ca or our Pro Bono Triage Lawyer at rmasemann@hollandbloorview.ca.

Newcomer Tipsheet - Funding Programs and Tax Assistance.pdf

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