If your family has extra expenses or needs special support because of your child's epilepsy, you may be able to obtain financial assistance from the government or other groups. Some of the options available in Ontario are described here; other provinces may have similar programs.
Contact the epilepsy care team or your local epilepsy association for information and help. To apply for these programs, you may need a letter or other assistance from your child's doctor or the epilepsy care team.
Support for adults
Adults who have significant disabilities may be eligible for various forms of financial assistance from the federal and provincial governments. Depending on your child's needs, she may also be able to get help from other programs.
It is a good idea to begin looking into these programs well before your child turns 18. Ask the epilepsy care team or your local epilepsy association if they can help you find information about programs in your area. To apply for these programs, you may need a letter or other assistance from your child's doctor or the epilepsy care team.
Ministry of Community and Social Services (Ontario)
Special Services at Home (SSAH)
The Special Services at Home program is intended to support families who are caring for a family member at home. The amount of funding you can access under the SSAH program depends on your child’s needs. Your income does not affect whether or not you get any money.
You can use the money to pay for:
- respite service
- part of the cost of programs such as special summer programs
- someone to work with your child to help develop his or her skills, such as interacting with friends, taking medication, or using public transportation
This money is given for only one year at a time. That means that you must apply for the money every year.
Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD)
The amount of money you earn affects whether or not you can get money under the Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities program.
To apply for ACSD, you must provide a list of all the extra expenses you have to pay for because your child has epilepsy. Examples of these expenses could be meal and travel costs when coming to appointments, extra laundry expenses, special learning equipment, or uncovered medication costs. A worker will visit your home once you apply to discuss your situation in greater detail.
If you qualify for the ACSD program, you will also receive Ontario Drug Benefit coverage.
Ontario Disability Support Program
In Ontario, if your child is turning 18 years of age, she can apply for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) funding if:
- she has a significant disability associated with her epilepsy (such as a cognitive impairment) that is expected to last for a year or more, AND
- her epilepsy makes it difficult to work, look after herself, or get out in the community (for example, she has poorly controlled seizures)
If she is eligible, your child will have Ontario Drug Benefit coverage for her drugs, as well as a monthly stipend to cover other costs such as basic necessities, living expenses, and medical expenses.
You will need to call the office nearest you to request an appointment to assess your child's financial and medical eligibility for the program. The appointment should be scheduled about six months before your child turns 18.
Once your child is confirmed to be eligible for the assistance, an application package must be completed. You may need to ask the epilepsy care team for a letter to go with the application.
Applying for SSAH, ACSD, or ODSP
The Ministry of Community and Social Services manages the money for the SSAH, ACSD, and ODSP. To get copies of the applications or more information, consult the Ministry's web site at: www.mcss.gov.on.ca.
Other provinces have similar programs. Contact the epilepsy care team, your local epilepsy association, or the appropriate government office for more information.
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (Ontario)
Trillium Drug Program
The Trillium Drug Program helps people who have high drug costs. The amount of help depends on the amount of money you earn. If you or your family spend a large amount of your earnings on drugs and/or certain nutritional products, the Trillium Drug Program may be able to help with the costs.
Assistive Devices Program (ADP)
The Assistive Devices Program helps people with long-term disabilities pay for devices to give them more independence or control, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or communication aids.
Northern Health Travel Grant (NHTG)
The Northern Health Travel Grant program helps with transportation costs for people living in Northern Ontario who must travel long distances (at least 100 kilometres one-way) within Ontario or to Manitoba for medically necessary, insured health services that are not available locally.
Applying for the Trillium Drug Program, ADP, or NHTG
For more information about these programs, consult the Ministry's web site at: www.health.gov.on.ca.
Federal tax credits, benefits, and other programs (Canada)
A number of federal tax credits are available for people with disabilities or medical problems and their caregivers. In many cases, your child's doctor will need to certify that she has a prolonged impairment that significantly restricts an area of daily living. You will need to fill out a copy of form T2201, the Disability Tax Credit Certificate.
Disability Tax Credit
The federal disability tax credit lowers the amount of tax you may owe if your child has severe, long-lasting mental or physical disabilities. If your child has a job, she may be able to claim this tax credit against her own income.
People who are eligible for the disability tax credit may also be able to claim additional tax credits, such as for medical expenses or education.
Child Disability Benefit
If your child is under 18 years old and qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit, and if your family income is low to moderate, you may qualify for this benefit.
Caregiver Tax Credit
If you live with a child who is over 18 years old and who is dependent on you because of mental or physical disabilities, you may be able to claim this amount.
Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs)
RDSPs are savings plans that help parents save for the future needs of a child with a disability.
More information about federal taxes
For more information on tax exemptions and credits for people with disabilities, please visit the Canada Revenue Agency web site at: www.cra-arc.gc.ca.
Community groups and charitable organizations
Many community groups and charitable organizations offer assistance for children with disabilities and their families. Speak to your child's epilepsy care team or your local epilepsy association for assistance. Some examples are:
Easter Seals Society
The Easter Seals Society is a charitable foundation that assists Ontario children with disabilities and their families. They provide financial support for special equipment and services.
For more information, please visit the Easter Seals Society's web site at: www.easterseals.org.
The Jennifer Ashleigh Foundation
The Jennifer Ashleigh Foundation is a charitable foundation that assists Ontario children with long-lasting or serious illness and their families. You must have a family income of $60,000 a year or less (gross) to be eligible for assistance.
The Foundation may be able to assist with:
- emergency financial relief
- care giving
- education
- computers
- medical treatment that is not covered by government health plans or insurance
- recreational programs
For more information, please visit the Foundation's web site at: www.jenniferashleigh.org.
President's Choice Children's Charity
This charity offers financial assistance to families with physically or mentally challenged children. It offers support for items such as expensive mobility equipment, environmental modifications, and physical therapy. You must have a family income of $70,000 or less.
For more information, please visit the charity's web site at: www.presidentschoice.ca/LCLOnline/aboutUsCharity.jsp .