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Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD)
Last verified: April 2026. Always confirm details on the official page.
Who qualifies for ACSD in Ontario
Families with a child under 18 who has a severe disability, lives at home, and has household income of $76,920 or less. ACSD is a monthly cash payment between $25 and $665. It is completely separate from OAP and SSAH. You can receive all three.
Eligibility check
- Child under 18 with a severe disability
- Income tested: household income must be $76,920 or less
- Child lives at home
- Separate from SSAH. SSAH is not income tested. ACSD is. You can receive both.
- Separate from OAP. ACSD does not affect your OAP status.
ACSD is a monthly provincial payment to help cover the extra costs of raising a child with a severe disability. Your actual amount depends on family size, severity, extraordinary costs, and household income. It is separate from OAP and from SSAH.
The income threshold and payment amounts are set by the province and may change. Check the official page for current figures.
Does ACSD affect my OAP, SSAH, or DTC eligibility
No. ACSD is completely separate from every other program on this site. Getting ACSD does not reduce your OAP funding, SSAH payments, or DTC eligibility.
Programs you can hold alongside ACSD
- OAP and SSAH: completely separate. No interaction.
- Canada Disability Benefit: receiving the federal benefit does not affect your ACSD eligibility.
- ADP, OHIP+, Healthy Smiles Ontario: you can receive all of these alongside ACSD.
How do I apply for ACSD
Apply online at tpon.gov.on.ca or submit a paper application to your local (Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services) regional office. Online applications must be completed within 90 days of starting.
What to have ready
Be ready to provide information about your child's diagnosis, your household income, and the extra costs you face. Your MCCSS regional office can tell you exactly what they need when you start the application.
What happens after I apply for ACSD
MCCSS reviews your application and determines your payment amount. Monthly payments begin once approved. The province does not publish a standard processing time. If you have not heard back in a reasonable timeframe, call your regional MCCSS office.
- Apply online or by paper
- If online, complete the full application within 90 days
- MCCSS reviews your application and determines the amount
- Monthly payments begin once approved
Are there deadlines for ACSD
No annual deadline. You can apply any time your child meets the criteria. If you apply online, you must complete the full application within 90 days of starting it.
What if my ACSD application is denied
Request an internal review within 30 days of the decision. If you still disagree after the internal review, you can appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal.
Common questions about ACSD
- Is this the same as SSAH? No. SSAH pays for specific services like respite. ACSD is a monthly cash payment for general extra costs. You can receive both.
- Does the federal Canada Disability Benefit reduce my ACSD? No. The province has confirmed it does not affect ACSD eligibility or amounts.
- What if my income goes above $76,920? You may no longer qualify. You are expected to report changes. Contact your regional MCCSS office if your situation changes.
What mistakes do families make with ACSD
Official source
Your local MCCSS regional office handles ACSD applications and questions. You can find your regional office through the Ontario government website.
This guide is based on publicly available government information. Always verify with the official page:
Ontario.ca: Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (opens in new tab)Last verified against official source: April 2026
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What to do next
Apply for SSAH if you have not already
Separate provincial program for respite and daily supports. Not income tested. You can hold SSAH and ACSD at the same time.
See how to apply for SSAH →
Apply for the Disability Tax Credit
Federal. Opens the RDSP and Child Disability Benefit. Not income tested. Completely separate from ACSD.
See how to apply for the DTC →
Check all available programs
Make sure you are not missing anything. Most programs are separate and can be held at the same time.
See all funding guides →
Not sure what other programs may apply?
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