There is more help available than most families realize.
Funding for home care in Ontario comes from five main places. Most families end up combining two or three of them. The cards below outline what each one is, who qualifies, and how it usually works.
Government program
Public home care
Ontario Health atHome
Coordinated by Ontario Health atHome, the new provincial body that absorbed the former HCCSS and LHIN system. A care coordinator assesses eligibility and assigns publicly funded hours.
- Not everyone qualifies, and even when they do, the hours assigned often fall short of what a family actually needs.
- Families commonly use private care from a provider like HosPall to supplement publicly funded hours.
Federal benefit
Veterans Affairs Canada
For eligible veterans
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) may cover home care for eligible veterans through programs such as the Veterans Independence Program. Coverage can include personal care, housekeeping, and nursing services.
- Eligibility depends on service history, recognized condition, and assessed need.
- HosPall can coordinate directly with VAC for approved hours.
After an accident
Auto & workplace injury
SABS & WSIB
If you were hurt in a motor vehicle accident or on the job, statutory programs in Ontario may pay for attendant care and home support, completely separate from your health card or extended benefits.
- Auto insurance: Attendant Care Benefit (SABS). Under Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, your auto insurer can fund a PSW or nurse at home after a motor vehicle accident. Hours are set by a Form 1 assessment and your injury classification (non-catastrophic vs. catastrophic).
- WSIB home care. For injuries or illnesses that arose out of and in the course of employment, WSIB may approve personal care and home support hours as part of your recovery plan.
- Both programs typically pay the provider directly. HosPall coordinates with adjusters, case managers, and rehab teams, and handles the paperwork.
Insurance
Private insurance & employer benefits
Often overlooked
Many extended health plans cover registered nursing or PSW (Personal Support Worker) visits. A lot of families do not realize their plan includes home care at all. A quick call to your insurer or HR contact is worth it.
- Common coverage: registered nursing, PSW hours, post-surgical or post-hospital care.
- Some long-term care policies also reimburse home-based care.
- We provide receipts formatted for insurance claim submission.
Tax relief
Tax credits
Federal & provincial
Several credits can offset the cost of home care at tax time. Keep your receipts.
- Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit: refundable credit worth up to 25% of eligible expenses, on up to $6,000 of expenses per year (maximum credit of $1,500).
- Federal Medical Expense Tax Credit: covers a wide range of health-related expenses, including in-home care.
- Canada Caregiver Credit: for those supporting a dependant with a physical or mental impairment.
- Disability Tax Credit (DTC): for individuals with a prolonged impairment that markedly restricts daily activities.
Not sure where to start?
We will help you map out what you qualify for.
A short call with our care team can save weeks of guesswork. We will walk you through public eligibility, insurance angles, and tax credits that may apply to your situation. No pressure, no obligation.
This page is general information, not tax or financial advice. Eligibility, coverage limits, and credit amounts change. Please confirm details with the relevant agency, your insurer, or a qualified advisor before relying on them.