How to get government subsidies and grants to help you pay for child care or to support children with special needs.
Families can apply for the Ontario child care fee subsidy. The cost of this program is shared by the Ontario government, municipal governments and First Nation communities.
You can apply if your child is under 13 years old (or up to 18 years old if your child has special needs and meets other criteria*) and in either:
*Note: The Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 ( CCEYA ) came into effect on August 31, 2015. While the CCEYA defines “child” as a person who is younger than 13 years of age, children with special needs who entered the child care system before August 31, 2017 may be eligible to receive funding and financial assistance under the CCEYA until they reach 18 years of age, provided that they meet other eligibility criteria that is unrelated to age.
The amount you pay for child care depends on your family's adjusted net income.
To calculate your net income:
How to apply
To apply for the child care subsidy or to get more information about this program, please contact your local:
The Ontario Child Benefit ( OCB ) helps low-to-moderate income families – whether they are working or not – to provide for their children.
Eligibility
Depending on your family income, you may qualify for the OCB , if you:
How to apply
There is no application required for the OCB .
The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment. It helps families pay for the costs of raising children under the age of 18.
Children with special needs, as defined under the CCEYA , may require personalized attention and activities or special devices, toys and equipment.
Special Needs Resourcing ( SNR ) helps support the inclusion of children with special needs in licensed child care settings, including licensed home child care premises, and in places where child and family programs are provided such as EarlyON Child and Family Centres, children's recreation programs, and camps. SNR is provided at no additional cost to parents.
How it works
The government provides funding to Consolidated Municipal Service Managers ( CMSMs ) or District Social Services Administration Boards ( DSSABs ) and First Nations for SNR . They then either directly hire persons providing SNR services and/or provide funding to agencies, to support the inclusion of children with special needs in licensed child care, child and family programs, children's recreation programs, and camps.
Agencies use this funding to help pay for staff, equipment, supplies, and professional development resources.
For more information, contact your CMSMs / DSSAB or band office administrator (for First Nations with provincial child care contracts).
School boards are responsible for providing supports to enable inclusion of children with special needs in board-operated before and after school programs.
Find out about resources in your area for children with special needs by contacting your local: