When your child is born with a birth injury or defect, your life changes in an instant. One of the biggest challenges that many parents of kids with disabilities face is financial strain. This may arise because one parent has to stop working to care for their child or simply from the costs associated with therapies, assistive devices, prescription medication, transportation and parking, and more.
Fortunately, there are a number of options for financial support for parents of kids with disabilities in Canada. This support may come directly from the federal or provincial government or from a non-profit organization. These funds can give parents a break and allow them to focus on helping their child thrive.
Government Support
The Canadian government offers a number of programs to support families of children with disabilities, including those caused by birth injuries and defects. If you are eligible for one or more of these programs, it can significantly ease the financial burdens often associated with raising a child with a disability.
Ministry of Health Assistive Devices Program (ADP)
In Ontario, the government provides financial support for people with disabilities through its assistive devices program. Eligible residents of Ontario with a disability will be reimbursed up to 75% of the cost of assistive devices, including:
- Mobility aids
- Hearing aids
- Communication aids
- Visual aids
- Diabetic equipment and supplies
- Respiratory equipment and supplies
- Custom orthotic braces, compression garments, and lymphedema pumps
- Enteral feeding pumps and ostomy supplies
Families can apply for a grant by filling out an application and submitting it to the agency in their province.
Assistance to Children with Severe Disabilities
Ontario residents can also participate in the Assistance to Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) program if a child under the age of 18 in their home has a severe disability for which the family has incurred extraordinary costs. Depending on the family’s expenses and income, parents may receive between $25 and $500 per month.
Child Disability Benefit
Any Canadian family with a child under the age of 18 who has a “severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions” may qualify for the child disability benefit. The amount of this credit depends on the number of eligible children in your home, your marital status, and your adjusted family net income. From 2022 to 2023, the potential benefit is up to $248.75 per month.
Disability Tax Credit
The disability tax credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit that Canadians with disabilities or those supporting a family member with a disability may receive. In 2021, the tax credit was $8,662, plus an additional $5,053 if the individual with a “severe and prolonged disability” is 17 or younger.
Motor Vehicle Gasoline Rebate
If your child has a permanent mobility impairment such that they cannot safely use public transportation, you can apply for a refund for part of the federal excise tax for the gasoline you purchase for your vehicle. To apply, you must have your disability certified by a medical professional and fill out an application.
Provincial Sales Tax Rebate for Vehicles
If you make modifications to your vehicle – or purchase a modified vehicle – to accommodate a child with a disability, you may be eligible for a sales tax rebate from your provincial government. To apply, you will need to complete Form GST518 and submit it to your provincial government.
Respite Care
Provincial governments may offer parents of children with physical and/or intellectual disabilities funds for respite care and skill development. In British Columbia, the program is known as the At Home Program. In Ontario, it is known as the Special Services at Home (SSAH) program. A local social worker can guide you to programs for funding for these services in your province.
Non-Profit Support
In addition to government programs, many non-profit organizations provide financial support for children with disabilities and their families throughout Canada. Be sure to check the eligibility requirements for each organization, as some charities are geared towards kids with specific disabilities. Similarly, some organizations only provide funding for specific items.
Easter Seals
Easter Seals is a national program with programs for each Canadian province. They will provide equipment funding for costs not covered by the assistive devices program, family resources, and private insurance. This funding may cover items such as accessibility aids, bath & toileting aids, communication and writing aids, mobility aids, orthotics, and camps for kids with disabilities.
Jennifer Ashleigh’s Children’s Charity
Jennifer Ashleigh’s Children’s Charity is an Ontario-based non-profit that provides financial assistance to families with children who are seriously ill, have a permanent disability, are 21 years of age or under, and whose permanent residence is in Ontario. They may provide funding for emergency financial relief, respite, developmental therapies, educational programs and materials, specially adapted computer equipment and software, recreation, and/or medical treatment that is not covered by government health plans or insurance.
March of Dimes Assistive Device Program
March of Dimes is an international non-profit that supports and assists people with disabilities. They offer a number of programs and services, including funding for adults with physical disabilities 19 years of age and older who are in financial need to purchase assistive devices to increase their mobility and functional independence.
A Child’s Voice Foundation
A Child’s Voice Foundation is a Canadian charity that provides wigs for children with disabilities, along with funding for products or services through its Kids Life Line program. Funding can be used for any number of things, from small medical equipment and supplies to in-home nursing to parking and transportation costs.
Other Types of Funding
In some situations, families of children with disabilities lack the disposable income necessary to take special trips or buy something that may be considered frivolous. Foundations and charities can fill that gap, providing funding for these items.
The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada
The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada – also known as Make-A-Wish – fulfills wishes for children aged 3 to 18 who have a high-risk, life-threatening condition. A wish could be anything from a new pet to a specialized computer to a vacation.
Starlight Children’s Foundation
The Starlight Children’s Foundation of Canada grants wishes to children from newborn to 18 who have a critical or chronic diagnosis and their activities of daily living are severely affected. In addition to granting “once in a lifetime” wishes, they also host Starlight Great Escape Wish events for eligible children and their families.
The Sunshine Foundation
The Sunshine Foundation is also in the business of granting wishes for children living with severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. Rather than providing something that may be a child’s “last wish,” the program offers funding for opportunities that lead to a brighter future – such as adaptive bikes, custom shoes, tech gear, and more.
Legal Options
When a child’s disability is caused by medical negligence – such as a birth injury – then there may be another potential source of funding. A birth injury lawsuit may allow you to recover financial compensation for your losses, such as the cost of future care, loss of income or earning capacity, pain and suffering, and out-of-pocket expenses.
A birth injury lawsuit can generally be brought when a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional fails to follow the standard of care for their profession. When their failure leads to an injury, it is considered medical negligence. A seasoned birth injury lawyer can help you determine whether medical negligence occurred in your child’s case and if so, what compensation you may be entitled to under the laws of your province.
How BILA Can Help
There are many potential causes of disability in children, from accidents to birth defects and everything in between. When a birth injury causes disability, you may be able to seek financial compensation as a parent.
Suppose you are concerned that your child’s birth injury was due to medical negligence. In that case, the best course of action is to schedule a free consultation with a compassionate birth injury lawyer. During this appointment, your lawyer will listen to your story and advise you of your rights and options for pursuing a claim. Contact BILA today at 1-800-300-BILA or via our online contact form for more information about a potential legal claim and to discuss your child’s birth injury case.
John McKiggan, QC has represented clients in pediatric and adult injury claims that have resulted in multi-million dollar awards. In recognition of his accomplishments, John has been honoured by his peers, who elected him president of the Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association. He has also been named Queen’s Counsel, a designation recognizing exceptional professional merit. John has been selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in Canada in the field of personal injury law, he is listed in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and has been named a local litigation star by Benchmark Litigation Canada.
