Annual Passport funding (typical)
Number of DSO offices province-wide
Minimum age for Passport eligibility
Recommended age to apply to DSO
Figures above: Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services · Developmental Services Ontario · Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008 · Developmental Services Ontario — Transition Planning Guide
Guide values reviewed . Program amounts and eligibility can change; confirm them with the administering agency.
The Passport Program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. It provides direct funding to eligible individuals or their families. Recipients choose their own services and manage payments to service providers.
There are two streams: community participation and person-directed planning. Community participation covers activities that build social connections and life skills. Person-directed planning helps individuals set goals and find community resources.
Funding is not automatic. There is a waitlist managed by DSO. Wait times vary by region and can be several years. Families should apply as soon as their child turns 16 to get on the waitlist before age 18.
Passport funding covers a broad range of community-based supports. Eligible expenses include social and recreational programs, day programs, and person-directed planning facilitation. It also covers respite services for primary caregivers.
The program does not cover residential costs, medical treatments, or therapies already funded by OHIP. It does not replace OAP services. Each expense must relate to community participation or caregiver respite.
Service providers do not need to be registered with DSO. Families can hire support workers directly. They must keep receipts and submit expense reports to their transfer payment agency.
Applications go through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO). There are nine DSO offices across the province. Applicants need proof of a developmental disability diagnosed before age 18. An autism diagnosis meets this requirement.
The application includes a functional assessment and a support needs questionnaire. DSO determines eligibility and places approved applicants on the waitlist. The waitlist is prioritized based on urgency and need.
Families should bring all clinical documentation to the DSO intake meeting. This includes the autism diagnosis report, functional assessments, and any previous service plans. Complete documentation speeds up the process.
Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Passport Program guidelines and eligible expenses (ontario.ca)
Developmental Services Ontario
Application process and regional office locations (dsontario.ca)
Written by Spencer Carroll
Founder & Autism Advocate
Evidence on this page
Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.
$965M
Ontario allocated to the Ontario Autism Program in 2026-27
According to the FAO (2020 report), OAP funding covers less than one-third of estimated need at 2018-19 service levels
89,799
children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
$200/month
The Canada Disability Benefit provides up to for eligible Canadians with disabilities
1 in 50
According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, about children and youth aged 1 to 17 in Canada had an autism diagnosis
23%
Only 20,633 children have active funding agreements — less than one in four