Special Services At Home

To be eligible for SSAH funding, the child or youth must:

• Be a resident of Ontario
• Have ongoing functional limitations as a result of a disability
• Require support beyond what is a normal family responsibility
• Live at home with their families or live away from their family's home but not reside in a Ministry-funded residential setting
  

The amount of funding received depends on:

• the type and amount of service your child needs
• what other help is available in your community
• what kind of support you already receive
  

There are no income requirements for the SSAH program. Approval amounts very based on the needs identified in the application. Approval decisions & the amount of funding are made by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

Parents can choose one of two ways to access funding:

• Self-Administered Funding: Parents purchase services and supports on their own and submit expense claims directly to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services regional offices for reimbursement. Families contact their Special Agreements Officer from the Ministry with questions about eligible expenses etc. and for assistance with paperwork/submitting invoices.
• Agency-Administered Funding: Parents purchase the services and supports and submit expense claims to the agency for reimbursement. Niagara Children’s Centre offers this service to families of Centre clients. Families contact the Program Assistant for SSAH at Niagara Children’s Centre with questions about ineligible expenses etc. and for assistance with paperwork/submitting invoices.
• Note: in both cases, families must pay for the service/equipment upfront and then submit invoices for reimbursement. The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and Niagara Children Centre will not pay on behalf of families.

Parents, family members, and legal guardians of children and youth under the age of 18 with a developmental or physical disability can apply for SSAH funding.

The application must include medical documentation clearly confirming the diagnosis of the child or youth.

Parents can apply by filling out an application on their own or with the assistance of a professional.

Niagara Children’s Centre provides assistance for completing SSAH applications through regular virtual or in-person workshops. See Programs and Services/Events Calendar for workshops.

Up-to-date information regarding the program as well as application forms and processes can be found at the below links:

• Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services – Official Website
• Special Services At Home – Official Website
• Special Services At Home – Program Guidelines
  

For families who want Niagara Children’s Centre to administer their funding:

• Niagara Children’s Centre must be selected on the application under Administration of funding.
• Once families have been approved for SSAH, Niagara Children’s Centre along with the family will receive a letter stating approval into the program. The funding amount will not yet be indicated and the family cannot yet submit expenses for reimbursement.
• Once families receive an additional letter with their approved amount of funding, Niagara Children’s Centre will contact the family and:
• Mail a batch of invoices that must be used when submitting expenses for reimbursement
• Mail an EFT form to set up direct deposit for reimbursement. The EFT form must be returned to the Centre promptly along with a void check before expenses can be reimbursed.

For new invoices, or any SSAH questions, concerns or requests for assistance contact:

SSAH@niagarachildrenscentre.com or 905-688-1890 ext. 121

Important Notes:

• Families can choose to mail, email pictures or scanned copies, or bring invoices directly to the Centre with supporting documentation/receipts.
• Invoices MUST be submitted by the 10th of the month for payment that month. If the 10th falls on a weekend, the invoices must be submitted by 8 p.m. Invoices received after this date will be processed the following month. The reimbursement/payment date is 5 business days after the 15th of the month.
  
• A separate invoice for EACH worker must be submitted.
• Official receipts are required for proof of payment for registration fees for camp, recreation or other non worker services
  
• Any family may switch from Niagara Children’s Centre administered funding to self-administered funding (or self-administered funding to Niagara Children’s Centre administered funding) at any time.
  

• Hire a worker directly
• Work with an agency to purchase supports from the workers they employ
• Hire a family member who is over the age of 18 and not the primary caregiver, parent, step-parent or spouse