Disability Funding for Diapers (Ontario)

by Anna
(The Special Life)

Special needs children in Ontario between the ages of 3 to 18 may qualify for a grant from Easter Seals Ontario to offset the cost of diapers.

Qualifying kids have a "chronic disability" that results in the needs for diapers for longer than 6 months, and aren't living in a hospital or chronic-care facility.

The funds available are substantial:
$ 400. a year for kids aged 3-5
$ 900. a year for kids aged 6-18

In addition to diapers, this program will cover:
"Intermittent/Foley catheters" up to age 5 and "Male external catheters" after age 5.

There's also an additional category for kids that need
"assistance with bowel management", and they may qualify for an annual $ 200. grant for "enema administration kits, tubing or glycerin suppositories."

And, for kids under 3, if they have a medical condition that means that they need special diapers, an unusually large quantity of diapers, or catheters, then they may still qualify.

Applications must be signed by your doctor, but you only need to apply once. You will however need to keep receipts of your diaper purchases, and supply them when asked. (And you will be asked.)

The program is called the "Easter Seals Incontinence Grant Program" and the application link is below.

It's a wonderful grant system. Once you apply, the money is automatically deposited into your account. Half of the annual grant is deposited in April, and the rest in October.

If you qualify for ACSD (Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities) then you'll also probably receive an application for top-up funding in ACSD.

Once you're approved for the Easter Seals Incontinence Grant program, you'll automatically qualify for the ACSD top-up, but you need to complete the form (on time) every year to get it.

Here's more information and the application form.