Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) is a monthly Ontario payment for parents and guardians of a child under 18 with a severe disability. It helps with the extra costs of caring for the child at home. Since July 2026, families with a household income of $77,640 or less can get between $25 and $678 a month.
How much you’ll get
| Amount (from July 2026) | Per month |
|---|---|
| Lowest payment | $25 |
| Highest payment | $678 |
| Household income limit | $77,640 a year |
Ontario doesn’t publish a formula. Your amount depends on four things:
- your household income
- the size of your family
- how severe your child’s disability is
- the extra costs you have because of the disability
The money can go toward costs such as travel to medical and therapy appointments, special shoes and clothing, and respite care that gives parents a break.
Benefits that come with ACSD. A child who gets ACSD may also get:
- coverage for an Assistive Devices Program assessment, or the family’s share of a device’s cost
- batteries and repairs for mobility devices
- prescription drugs through OHIP+
- dental care through Healthy Smiles Ontario
- hearing aids and vision care, including eyeglasses
The federal Canada Disability Benefit is not counted as income for ACSD. If someone in your family gets it, your ACSD eligibility and payment don’t change.
Who qualifies
You may be able to get ACSD if all of these are true:
- You’re the parent or guardian and the child’s main caregiver.
- Your child is 17 or younger.
- Your child has a severe disability, backed by medical documents.
- Your child lives at home with you in Ontario.
- You have ongoing extra costs because of the disability.
- Your total household income is $77,640 or less.
If you share custody, you can still apply. The ministry’s regional office will contact you about your situation after you apply. Visitors in Canada for a short time can’t get ACSD.
How to apply
- Apply online through Ontario’s ACSD application. You can save it and come back, but you have 90 days to finish and submit it. You can also download a paper application and send it to your regional office.
- Apply separately for each child. Send only one application per child, since duplicates slow things down.
- Attach proof of your Ontario residency and your child’s status in Canada, a copy of your child’s health card, your child’s medical documents, pages 1 and 2 of your latest CRA notice of assessment (and your spouse’s), and your latest Canada Child Benefit notice.
- For direct deposit, attach a void cheque or a pre-authorized deposit form. Payments are by direct deposit or cheque, and direct deposit is faster.
- A special agreements officer reviews your application and may call you for more information. You’ll get the decision by letter.
A social worker, health care professional, community agency or family member can help you fill it out.
What changed in 2026
On July 1, 2026, the maximum went up 1.9%, to $678 a month. It’s now tied to inflation and adjusts each July. This is the fifth increase since September 2022, more than 22% in total. The downloadable application form may still show the older figures ($665 a month and an income limit of $76,920). The amounts on Ontario’s ACSD web page are the ones in effect.
Payment late, missing or different?
Ontario doesn’t publish a set payment day for ACSD. If a payment you expected hasn’t arrived, check with your bank first, then call your regional office:
- Toronto: 416-325-0500
- Central (Mississauga): 1-877-832-2818; (Newmarket): 1-877-669-6658
- West (London): 1-800-265-4197; (Hamilton): 1-866-221-2229; (Windsor): 1-800-419-4919
- East (Ottawa, Kingston, Oshawa): 1-800-267-5111
- North: 1-877-877-1113
Tell your regional office about any change in your income, address, family or your child’s costs. If you’re paid too much, the overpayment is taken off your future monthly payments.
If you disagree with a decision, ask for an internal review within 30 days of getting the decision letter. If you still disagree, you can appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal.
The government never asks for fees, gift cards or passwords by text or email.
Other help you might be missing
- Canada Child Benefit: if your child qualifies for the disability tax credit, the CCB includes an extra child disability benefit.
- Ontario Child Benefit: paid with the CCB to low- and moderate-income families.
- Ontario Trillium Benefit: monthly help with energy, property tax and sales tax.
- ODSP: when your child turns 18, ACSD ends, and ODSP may be the next step.
- Canada Disability Benefit: for working-age adults with a disability, and it doesn’t affect ACSD.
Common questions
How much does ACSD pay in Ontario?
Between $25 and $678 a month from July 2026, depending on your income, family size, your child’s disability and your costs.
What is the income limit for ACSD?
Your total household income must be $77,640 or less.
When is ACSD paid each month?
Ontario doesn’t publish a set payment day. Your regional office can tell you when your payment is issued.
Does the Canada Disability Benefit reduce ACSD?
No. Ontario doesn’t count the Canada Disability Benefit as income for ACSD, so it doesn’t change your eligibility or your payment.
Can I apply if my child has autism?
You can apply. Eligibility depends on how severe your child’s disability is, shown in their medical documents, and on the extra costs it causes.