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Financial hub
Therapy is expensive, and government funding rarely covers the full cost. This hub helps you find every financial resource available to your family.
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)
In brief
Families bear costs the programme was designed to cover.
Registered
91,97491,974Children registered
Total registered in the Ontario Autism Program
Funded
20,71120,711Have active funding
Only 22.5% of registered children
Without active agreement
71,26371,263Without an active funding agreement
An administrative status; it does not confirm current service delivery.
Verified , MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 91,974 |
| Have active funding | 20,711 |
| Without an active funding agreement | 71,263 |
Every program in one place
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 · 7 programs
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
Chapter 3
The Hidden Cost ›
$3.64B Annual funding gap
Families report paying $40,000–$80,000 a year out of pocket for intensive private therapy while waiting for OAP funding. Use the estimator to see your household’s likely gap.
Take Action
Understanding available funding is the first step to accessing support for your family.
What is the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) for autism?
VerifiedThe DTC (Form T2201) is a federal tax credit for severe and prolonged impairment. Approval reduces income tax ($10,341 disability amount, 2026 CRA rate) and qualifies you for other benefits like the Child Disability Benefit (up to $3,480/year, 2026–27) and the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).
Source: CRA Disability Tax Credit
How does the RDSP work for autism?
VerifiedThe Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) allows long-term saving with generous government matching (up to 300% grants). Low-income families can receive up to $1,000/year in bonds without contributing. Withdrawals effectively begin at age 60, making it a powerful retirement security tool.
Source: Government of Canada RDSP
Is there a maximum SSAH funding amount in Ontario?
VerifiedOntario does not publish a fixed province-wide SSAH minimum, maximum, typical amount, or standard monthly payment. For an eligible child under 18, MCCSS considers the child’s support needs, family circumstances, and available program resources. The family’s approval letter controls its amount, funding period, and claim deadline.
Source: Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services — SSAH · Open source record
What official government data tracks the Ontario autism waitlist?
VerifiedThe current province-wide waitlist record is the MCCSS FOI data published through the Ontario Autism Coalition data hub. As of May 2026, it shows 91,974 registered children and 22.5% with active funding agreements. Historical FAO, Auditor General, OHRC, and AccessOAP records provide separate context and should be cited for their own claims.
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC May 2026 · Open source record
Sources on this page
Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.
$200/month
The Canada Disability Benefit provides up to $200/month for eligible Canadians with disabilities
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
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