Finding reliable and consistent personal care can be one of the biggest challenges for people with disabilities and their families. Agency-based home care is common in Ontario, but it often means living with schedules set by others, staff changes you cannot control, and less say in who comes into your home.
The Direct Funding Program (DF) offers a different approach. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and administered province-wide by the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT), the program gives eligible adults with permanent physical disabilities the power to act as employers of their own attendants. Participants receive monthly funding to hire, train, schedule, and manage attendants directly.
This article explains in detail who qualifies, how the program works, and the full application process, so families can understand if Direct Funding is the right option for them.
Why Direct Funding Exists
The Direct Funding Program began in 1994 as a pilot project after years of advocacy from the disability community. People with disabilities argued that independence was not just about having care, but about having control over who provided that care and how. The program was made permanent in 1998 and has grown since then to serve thousands of Ontarians.
The central idea is simple: instead of having services provided to you by an agency, you are given the resources to organize and manage your own support. This empowers participants to live independently, build trust with attendants, and schedule care around their own lives rather than adjusting their lives to agency shifts.
Who Qualifies for Direct Funding
Not everyone is eligible. The program has clear criteria to make sure it is the right fit. To qualify, you must:
Be at least 16 years old: The program is open to both younger and older adults, but minors and children are not eligible.
Live in Ontario: Only Ontario residents can apply. The funding is portable across the province, so you can continue if you move within Ontario, but not if you leave the province.
Have a permanent physical disability: The program is designed for people with long-term physical limitations who require attendant services for personal care. It is not intended for people with short-term disabilities or those whose needs are primarily related to cognitive or mental health conditions.
Be medically stable: If you require frequent nursing care or your health needs are unpredictable, the program may not be appropriate. Stability is important because participants must be able to direct consistent routines for their attendants.
Be able to direct your own care: This is a central requirement. Participants must be able to decide and communicate what tasks they need, how those tasks should be done, and when they should be scheduled.
Be able to act as an employer: Participants must take on legal and practical responsibilities that come with hiring staff. This includes recruiting attendants, training them, setting schedules, and, if necessary, dismissing them. It also includes meeting legal obligations such as paying wages on time, making deductions for Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), income tax, and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) premiums, and keeping financial records.
Have stable support needs for at least one year: The program looks for consistency in your care requirements to ensure that funding and services can be managed effectively.
Restrictions and Important Notes
Immediate family members cannot be hired as attendants or bookkeepers. This rule is in place to avoid conflicts of interest and to support the goal of independent living.
The application must be completed in your own words. While you can use assistive devices or physical help to write or type, professionals and family members cannot write your application for you.
You must demonstrate to a Selection Panel that you are able to manage the program’s responsibilities.
What Attendants Do Under Direct Funding
Attendants are not nurses or medical professionals. Instead, they provide support with daily living activities that allow people with disabilities to live independently. This includes:
Bathing, dressing, and grooming
Toileting and continence care
Assistance with eating and meal preparation
Transfers, mobility, and using assistive devices
Light household tasks directly related to personal care
Because you hire your own attendants, you have the freedom to choose people you trust and to set the standards for how you want your care provided.
The Application Process
Applying for Direct Funding is a multi-step process. It is designed to help both you and the administrators determine whether you are a good fit for the program.
Step 1: Self-Assessment
Start with a self-assessment. The program provides materials to help you reflect on whether you are ready to take on the responsibilities of being an employer. This step is important because it helps you understand what will be expected and whether you feel comfortable with it.
Step 2: Download the Application and Guide
The official forms and instructions are available online:
The guide explains every part of the process in detail, including eligibility, responsibilities, and what happens after you apply.
Step 3: Keep Attendant Service Logs
Although optional, it is strongly recommended that you track your attendant service needs for at least one week. Write down what tasks you need help with, how long each task takes, and how often it occurs. This record will help you and the Selection Panel see the extent of your needs.
Step 4: Submit the Application
When you are ready, complete the application in your own words and submit it. Remember that while you may receive physical assistance in writing or typing, the answers must come directly from you.
Step 5: Attend the Selection Panel
If your application moves forward, you will be invited to meet with a Selection Panel. This interview is your chance to explain your needs, demonstrate your ability to manage employer responsibilities, and show that you are ready for the program.
Step 6: Approval and Funding
If you are approved, you will be given monthly funding based on your assessed needs. In many cases, this covers up to about seven hours per day of attendant services, or around 212 hours per month.
Step 7: Ongoing Responsibilities
Once you enter the program, you must fulfill ongoing obligations. This includes paying attendants on time, making payroll deductions, keeping accurate records, and submitting regular reports. The program may audit participants to ensure funds are being used properly.
The funding is portable across Ontario, so if you move, you do not need to reapply—just update your information.
Benefits and Challenges
Direct Funding has many benefits:
Control over who comes into your home and when
Consistency and the ability to build long-term relationships with attendants
Flexibility to schedule care around your lifestyle
Independence and dignity in managing your own support
However, there are challenges:
Recruiting and retaining attendants can be difficult, especially during staffing shortages
Managing payroll, deductions, and record keeping can be time-consuming
There are waitlists for the program, and approval can take time
Participants cannot rely on family members for paid support under the program
Final Thoughts
The Direct Funding Program in Ontario is one of the most empowering options available for people with permanent physical disabilities. It shifts control from agencies to individuals, allowing participants to make choices that fit their own lives. But it also comes with serious responsibilities—being an employer is a role that requires organization, patience, and a willingness to handle compliance and paperwork.
For families considering Direct Funding, it is important to carefully weigh both the opportunities and the obligations. For many, the benefits of control, consistency, and independence far outweigh the challenges.
If you or a family member is considering applying and would like support with managing payroll, scheduling, or compliance, Upliv can help. Our services are designed to make the responsibilities of Direct Funding easier to manage, so you can focus on what matters most. To learn more, visit Upliv.