The Ministry of Community and Social Services is simplifying the application process for young people with developmental disabilities and their families. As of Sept. 1, once a person is deemed eligible for the ministry’s developmental services program, they will no longer have to go through a second process to verify their disability to qualify for the Ontario Disability Support Program. Changes will benefit approximately 3,000 people every year. Under the new procedure, young people with developmental disabilities and their families when applying for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Special Services at Home (SSAH) funding, will not be required to prove their disability status twice for the two ministry programs.
Families receiving SSAH funding for children under 18 with a developmental disability will also no longer need to re-apply every year for funding. All SSAH recipients will be automatically renewed at their current level of funding until they turn 18, as long as eligibility criteria are met. Special Services at Home (SSAH) funding enables families to purchase supports and services for their children that they could not normally provide themselves and/or are not available in their community.
For more information, see:
Developmental Services in Ontario
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)