$204.20/month
The income-tested Canada Disability Benefit provides up to $204.20/month for July 2026 to June 2027
Direct answer
OAP (Ontario Autism Program) core funding gives your family $6,600–$65,000/year, based on your child's age and needs.
Ontario Autism Program core clinical funding · Verified 2026-08-10
What parents need to know
Waitlist figures as of · reviewed
Sources: FAO Report 2023-24 (Financial Accountability Office of Ontario) · 2026 Ontario Budget (tabled March 26, 2026) · CBC News FOI investigation — bi-weekly OAP progress reports, Jun 2024 – Jan 2026, published Mar 30, 2026 (Nicole Brockbank & Angelina King) · MCCSS bi-weekly OAP Core Clinical Services progress reports, Dec 10, 2025 – Mar 4, 2026, obtained under Freedom of Information (release CSS2026-0749) · MCCSS Ontario Autism Program figures as of May 13, 2026, released under Freedom of Information to the Ontario Autism Coalition and published in the OAC "OAP At A Glance" update, July 2026 (ontarioautismcoalition.com)
What parents need to know
- OAP (Ontario Autism Program) core funding gives your family $6,600–$65,000/year, based on your child's age and needs.
- The DTC (Disability Tax Credit -- a federal tax break) is the first step to getting other benefits.
- The RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan -- a tax-free savings account) can include government grants and bonds. Check ESDC for current limits.
- ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) provides monthly income for your child after age 18.
The financial reality
Families bear costs the programme was designed to cover.
Ontario's figures, as of May 2026 (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026).
Registered
91,974Children registered
Total registered in the Ontario Autism Program
Funded
20,711Have active funding
22.5% of registered children
Without active agreement
71,263Without an active funding agreement
An administrative status; it does not confirm current service delivery.
Show as table
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 91,974 |
| Have active funding | 20,711 |
| Without an active funding agreement | 71,263 |
Every program in one place
What your family can apply for
Seven federal and provincial programs, in order of what most families need first. Open any row for eligibility rules and step-by-step application guidance.
Programs at a glance · 6 programs · Verified 2026-08-10
| Program and support | Audience | Amount or benefit | Source / program guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAP Core Clinical ServicesFunds ABA, speech, and occupational therapy once your Core Funding Agreement starts.Registered children on the waitlist$6,600–$65,000/yearSee the funding guide | Registered children on the waitlist | $6,600–$65,000/year | See the funding guide |
| Disability Tax Credit (DTC)Lowers your income tax and gives you access to the monthly Child Disability Benefit.Any household with a certified disabilityTax credit + monthly benefitCheck eligibility | Any household with a certified disability | Tax credit + monthly benefit | Check eligibility |
| RDSP Savings PlanA long-term savings account for your child. Government matching and free bonds for low-income families.DTC-approved individualsGrants + bonds over timeLearn strategies | DTC-approved individuals | Grants + bonds over time | Learn strategies |
| ODSPMonthly income support, prescription drug coverage, and employment help.Adults with disabilities, age 18+Monthly income supportCheck eligibility | Adults with disabilities, age 18+ | Monthly income support | Check eligibility |
| Canada Disability BenefitA new federal monthly payment for low-income working-age adults with disabilities.DTC-approved adults, 18–64Monthly federal paymentRead the guide | DTC-approved adults, 18–64 | Monthly federal payment | Read the guide |
| Medical Expense Tax DeductionsTherapy, equipment, and travel costs you can claim at tax time.Any family paying privately for therapyClaimable tax deductionSee what qualifies | Any family paying privately for therapy | Claimable tax deduction | See what qualifies |
Need funding for respite, support workers, or disability-related activities? The SSAH guide for Ontario families explains eligibility, the application path, and approved expense categories.
Plan ahead
What's your family's funding gap?
Chapter 3
The Hidden Cost
$3.64B Annual funding gap
Use the estimator to see your household’s likely gap.
Autism Services by Region
View all regionsVerified references and sources
Official Government Sources
- [2025]Canada Disability Benefit - How much you could receiveGovernment of Canada • Government • 2025-06-20
- [2025]Canada Disability BenefitGovernment of Canada • Government • 2025-06-20
- [2025]Ontario Supporting Recipients of Disability BenefitsGovernment of Ontario • Government • 2025-05-30
Where the waitlist stands
Evidence for this guide
- Ontario Autism Program guidelines for Core Clinical Services and supports. Government of Ontario (2026)
- Special Services at Home. Government of Ontario (April 1, 2026)
- Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan Review (2024). Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (June 5, 2024)
Related guides
Guides and tools related to this page.
Sources on this page
The source chain stays visible.
Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.
Facts3
Sources3
91,974
children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
1 in 50
According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, about 1 in 50 children and youth aged 1 to 17 in Canada had an autism diagnosis
Last system verification: 2026-08-10. Next scheduled update: 2026-11-05.
About this page
Check the author’s context, review method, and how to report an error.