Overview of program

The Special Services at Home (SSAH) program helps families who are caring for a child with a developmental and/or physical disability. It is funded and managed by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

The goal of the SSAH program is to support the government's vision of:

  • Strengthening the ability of children and their families to reach their potential;
  • Reducing the need for intensive or intrusive social services in the future; and
  • Reinforcing personal dignity and independence.

The SSAH program is based on the understanding that family members are often primary caregivers for children with a developmental and/or physical disability. The program focuses on providing funds to assist families to purchase supports not available elsewhere in the community.

Funding provided through SSAH helps families pay for special services in or outside the family home as long as the child is not receiving support from a residential program. For example, through SSAH funding a family can hire someone to:

  • Help their child learn new skills and abilities, such as improving their communication skills and becoming more independent; and/or
  • Provide respite support to the family — families can receive funding to pay for services that will give them a break, or respite, from the day-to-day care of their child.

The purpose of the SSAH Guidelines is to support consistent program delivery and decision-making. The guidelines are intended to be a single source document that describes all elements of the SSAH program, including the application process, eligibility and decision-making factors, review processes and accountability mechanisms.

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services supports the following service principles, which are reflected in these guidelines:

  • Integration — community participation.
  • Independence — supports that encourage greater independence.
  • Personalization — supports that take into consideration personal capabilities and enhance choice and self-direction.
  • Quality of life — persons who are valued for who they are and the role they can play in the community.

Addendum

Permanent changes to the Special Services at Home (SSAH) and Enhanced Respite for Medically Fragile and/or Technology Dependent Children Programs – Eligible expenses

To continue to support children and families with special needs and minimize service disruptions, some of the temporary eligible expenditures that were introduced as a response to COVID-19 for Special Services at Home (SSAH) and Enhanced Respite for Medically Fragile and/or Technology-Dependent Children (ER) have been made permanent, with some changes to support additional clarity and consistency for families.

These changes come into effect on April 1, 2023, and will allow flexibility for families to make choices about the supports that meet the needs of their child/children and family.

Permanent changes to the admissible expenditures

The following items are admissible expenditures under SSAH and Enhanced Respite: 

Sensory items

Sensory items that help children and youth to alleviate anxiety/stress and/or support clinical or behavioural plans, including:

  • weighted blankets
  • rocking/wiggle stools or chairs
  • clothing without seams or tags
  • sensory toys
  • vibrating or scented items
  • earmuffs
     

Inadmissible expenditures include:

  • restraints
  • permanent or semi-permanent structures
Technology

Technology items that provide children and youth the means and ability to stay connected and engaged in virtual and online learning/services and skill development activities. Recipients may spend a maximum of $1,500 annually on items from this category.

These items include:

  • laptops and tablets
  • online educational and e-learning activities and resources, including software/apps
  • peripherals, including webcams and microphones, keyboards, mice, monitors; and connected devices and software/apps supporting accessibility
  • e-readers (for example, Kindle or Kobo)
  • remote monitoring devices and medical alert services and devices

Inadmissible expenditures include:

  • videogames and videogame systems
  • media service subscriptions and platforms (for example, Netflix, Xbox Live, Disney+)
     
Items to support home-based recreation and fitness activities

Supplies to support home-based hobbies and activities that would otherwise be accessed through day programs, school, and other community-based programs. Some examples include, but are not limited to:

  • arts and craft supplies
  • hobby supplies
  • puzzles and games
  • books for leisure/learning

Supplies to support home-based physical activity and fitness. Some examples may include, but are not limited to:

  • indoor items and equipment (for example, skipping rope, yoga mat, resistance bands)
  • fitness/sport equipment and supplies that may be used on the individual’s property (for example, basketball net, trampoline, frisbee, badminton set)

Inadmissible expenditures include:

  • swimming pools/inground pools
  • e-bikes
  • electric scooters
Personal protective equipment and supplies

Personal protective equipment and supplies, including items such as:

  • gloves
  • masks
  • gowns
  • hand sanitizer
  • goggles and face shields

Inadmissible expenditures include:

  • cleaning supplies (for example, disinfectant wipes, sprays, etc.)
Essential service delivery fees

Service delivery fees for essential items such as groceries and medication only. (Note: this does not include the actual cost of the groceries and/or medications, just the service fee for delivery).

Inadmissible expenditures:

  • delivery fees for takeout food from restaurants
Family and caregiver-mediated supports (formerly known as Behavioural Support Plans and Interventions)

To help families build on their skills to support their child at home, eligible supports (delivered in person or remotely/virtually) may include:

  • caregiver-mediated support strategies to reduce challenging behaviours or potential crisis situations

Inadmissible expenditures:

  • direct behaviour therapy with the child/youth
  • physiotherapy
  • occupational therapy
  • speech therapy
     
Ability to hire (non-primary caregiver) family members or neighbours/friends to provide respite
  • To allow families who cannot hire respite workers or have concerns about having workers in their homes, to hire trusted family or friends to provide respite.
  • It should be noted that this is already an eligible expense for SSAH.

All other inadmissible expenditures remain in effect as outlined in the Special Services at Home Guidelines.