NorthStar Funding & Benefits Guide
From Childhood Supports to Adult Life: Understanding the Funding & Benefits Families Need to Know
For families of children with autism and other special needs, navigating government benefits and funding is rarely as simple as finding a program and filling out a form.
The real challenge is understanding how different programs fit together. They may be administered by different levels or departments of government, have different eligibility requirements, and apply at different ages. There is also a significant transition between childhood and adult services.
Through our Funding & Benefits Guide, NorthStar Special Needs Society aims to help families understand the overall system first, and then prepare step by step based on their child’s age, functional needs, and family circumstances.
1. Understanding the Funding & Benefits Roadmap
During Childhood
Key programs and benefits may include:
Ontario Autism Program (OAP)
Provides a range of supports, including Core Clinical Services, for eligible children and youth with autism in Ontario.
Special Services at Home (SSAH)
Supports children under age 18 with developmental and/or physical disabilities to participate in everyday and community activities, while also providing support for caregivers.
Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
A federal non-refundable tax credit. Beyond its tax benefits, DTC eligibility may also provide access to other programs, including the Child Disability Benefit, Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), and Canada Disability Benefit.
Child Disability Benefit
For families of children who qualify for the DTC, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) may automatically calculate an additional Child Disability Benefit as part of the Canada Child Benefit.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
A long-term savings plan designed to help provide financial security for eligible people with disabilities.
Depending on eligibility, the Government of Canada may contribute through the Canada Disability Savings Grant and Canada Disability Savings Bond.
Ages 16–18: Preparing for the Transition to Adulthood
Around age 16, families should begin contacting Developmental Services Ontario (DSO). When all required documentation is available, eligibility for adult developmental services may be confirmed at age 16, although services generally do not begin until age 18.
Around age 17, families should begin organizing documents and preparing for adult-stage needs, including tax matters, banking, a Social Insurance Number (SIN), DTC validity, and long-term financial planning.
DSO’s official transition timeline also recommends beginning preparation for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) at approximately age 17½.
After Age 18
Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)
DSO is the primary access point for provincially funded adult developmental services in Ontario.
Passport Funding
Helps eligible adults participate in their communities, develop daily living and employment-related skills, hire support workers, and access caregiver respite.
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Provides income support, health-related benefits, and other disability-related supports to eligible individuals.
Canada Disability Benefit
A federal benefit for eligible people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64. Eligibility requirements include approval for the Disability Tax Credit and other applicable criteria.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
Continues to play an important role in long-term financial security.
2. Why Families Should Prepare Early
Turning 18 is more than just another birthday.
Childhood programs such as OAP and SSAH end as a young person enters adulthood, while adult services do not automatically begin in their place. DSO recommends that families start preparing from age 16 to help reduce potential gaps between the end of childhood services and the beginning of adult supports.
One of the most useful things families can do is create a dedicated Benefits File that keeps important information together, including:
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Diagnostic and psychological assessments
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Cognitive and adaptive functioning information
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IEPs and school transition plans
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DTC approval notices
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SIN, identification, and proof of Ontario residency
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Information about current services such as OAP and SSAH
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Application records for DSO, ODSP, Passport, and other programs
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RDSP and tax-related documents
3. Funding Programs Are Not Either/Or
These programs serve different purposes.
The DTC primarily provides tax relief and can serve as an important gateway to other benefits. OAP and SSAH primarily support children. DSO is the access point for adult developmental services. Passport Funding focuses on community participation and individualized supports. ODSP focuses on income and health-related benefits. The Canada Disability Benefit is a federal benefit for eligible adults with disabilities, while the RDSP supports long-term financial planning and savings.
For many families, the goal is not to choose just one program. A family may need to understand and access several programs at the same time or at different stages of life.
4. Why NorthStar Created This Guide
What families need is not another collection of scattered links.
They need a clear path that helps answer three important questions:
What should we do now? What comes next? And what do we need to prepare for before a key age or transition?
NorthStar is working toward building a Family Benefits Navigation Hub that brings together public information, parent workshops, application preparation checklists, a 16–18 transition roadmap, referral resources, and community supports.
Our goal is not simply to help families find funding.
Our goal is to help families build a pathway for their children—from childhood to adulthood, from participation to independence, and ultimately toward long-term belonging.
Important Notice
Government programs, benefit amounts, eligibility requirements, and eligible expenses may change over time.
This guide is intended for general information and family navigation purposes only. It does not constitute legal, tax, medical, or financial advice.
Before applying, families should always refer to the latest official information from the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Developmental Services Ontario (DSO), and the relevant program administrators.