Equipment Funding - Easter Seals Ontario Services

Equipment Funding Overview and Eligibility

Easter Seals Ontario helps families with the cost of equipment that is required by children and youth with physical disability through the Equipment Funding Program (EFP).

Easter Seals Ontario’s funds are provided by public donations and not government funding. Mobility Aids, Communication and Writing Aids, and Orthotics are partially funding by the Ministry of Health’s Assistive Devices Program (ADP).

The maximum funding Easter Seals Ontario can assist with is $3,000 per child, per calendar year.
Applications are accepted from January 1 to December 31 or until all available funding has been allocated. It is not uncommon for Easter Seals Ontario to exhaust all funds prior to the end of the year however our fundraising staff work diligently to raise funds to support as many requests as possible.

To be eligible for the Equipment Funding Program children and youth with physical disabilities must be registered with Easter Seals Ontario by meeting the following criteria:

under the age of 19 years and registered with Easter Seals Ontario*
(For clients who are 18 years old, the application must be submitted 6 months prior to their child’s 19th birthday to allow for processing).
a legal resident of Ontario,
have a valid Ontario Health Card
have a permanent physical disability that restricts their independent mobility and results in the use of a primary mobility device.

Registration Applications can be found here: Register Your Child

*Please Note:

Funding for Easter Seals camps is not included in the annual $3,000 maximum for equipment funding for children who are registered with Easter Seals Ontario. Any subsidy for camp fees is in addition to the annual equipment funding maximum. Visit EasterSealsCamps.org for more information.
Being a client on the Incontinence Supplies Grant Program does not qualify you for the Equipment Funding or Camp Programs. You MUST be an Easter Seals Ontario registered client to access these programs.

Equipment Eligible for Funding

Equipment which is eligible for funding must be listed on the Approved Equipment List.

Easter Seals Ontario will only fund items on its current Approved Equipment List. Items on the list are subject to change.
Easter Seals Ontario reserves the right to make the decision as to whether an item requested meets the funding criteria and is on the list of approved items.

Equipment and Supplies that are NOT eligible for funding include:

Installation, labour, assessment, taxes, repairs, replacement parts (batteries, slings, etc.), accessories, additions to existing equipment and/or delivery costs are not funded by this program.
The Incontinence Supplies Grant Program is a separate program with different eligibility criteria. Please visit our website to obtain an application: igprogram.easterseals.org

Are there additional application requirements for different equipment?

Yes. Different equipment has different application requirements. These requirements are described below and are also outlined in the EFP Application Form.

Mobility Aids

Applications must have ADP funding.
Mobility Aids must be authorized by a health care professional and funded by the Ministry of Heath Assistive Devices Program (ADP).
The application must include one (1) quote which includes the total equipment cost and the amount that will be funded by ADP.
Scooters, Wheelchairs, Walkers, & Strollers must be funded by the Ministry of Heath Assistive Devices Program (ADP).
Please note that ADP does not fund accessories, back-up manual wheelchairs, transport chairs, strollers, trikes and scooters. Non-ADP funded mobility devices are not eligible for funding.
Applications must include a copy of the ADP application or letter of support from prescribing therapist stating date ADP was submitted, and rationale for any item on the device that is not covered by ADP.

Orthotics

Applications must have ADP funding.
Orthotics must be authorized by a health care professional and funded by the Ministry of Heath Assistive Devices Program (ADP).
Applications must include one (1) quote which includes the total equipment cost and the amount that will be funded by ADP.

Communication and Writing Aids

Applications must have ADP funding.
The communication or writing aid must be authorized by a Ministry of Health Assistive Devices Program (ADP) approved communication clinic and funded by the ADP program.
Applications must be authorized by a recognized communication provider. Information on authorized communication clinics can be found at the Centralized Equipment Pool, or Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

Accessibility Aids

Accessibility aids must be authorized by a health care professional.
Applications must include two (2) quotes. The need for a second quote may be waived if there is only one equipment provider in the community.
All accessibility aids must be for the primary access into the home or to access the client’s primary bedroom or bathroom only.
The equipment must meet Ontario Building Codes Non-structural renovations.

Ramp Funding

Ramp quotes must be from a licensed Ontario contractor.
On rental properties: only portable ramps funded. TRACK LIFTS must have a letter of support from landlord.

Van Lift Funding

Easter Seals Ontario will not consider funding for a lift if the vehicle is over 5 years old.
Easter Seals Ontario does not fund private sales. New and Used Van Lifts must be through a recognized vendor.
If you are accessing additional funding from the Home and Vehicle Modification Program, the process is to a apply to the Home and Vehicle Modification program first. They will contact you to confirm you are eligible to proceed to the second stage. Once you are proceeding to the second stage, apply for Easter Seals Ontario Funding. Easter Seals Ontario will contact you to discuss the funding process, as van lift applications will not be reviewed until the confirmation of other funding has been received.

Bathing and Toileting Aids

All bathing and toileting aids must be authorized by a health care professional.
Two (2) quotes are required. The need for a second quote may be waived if there is only one vendor for the equipment in the community.
The Incontinence Supplies Grant Program assists with the cost of incontinence supplies (diapers) and is a separate program, administered by Easter Seals Ontario for the Ministry of Health with different eligibility requirements. To access an application, visit https://igprogram.easterseals.org/

Completing the Equipment Funding Application

Read, complete and submit an Equipment Funding Application.
Applications for funding must be received 6 months prior to the child’s 19th birthday to allow for processing.
One application must be completed for each piece of equipment required. Bathroom Aids can be requested together.
If any information is missing or incomplete, the application will be returned for completion, delaying the process for assistance.
All supporting documentation outlined in the application must accompany the completed application.

What responsibilities do parent/s guardian(s) have around funding?

Parents are asked to contribute $100 per request if possible and to access all other sources of funding available to them prior to requesting funds from Easter Seals Ontario. See Resources for Funding and Support.
Parent/Guardian(s) are responsible for equipment costs in the case where other agencies have not fulfilled their approval of funds or changed their funding, the quote provided was not current, items were missed in the quote, size of item has changed, additional items are required for equipment and/or if ADP did not fund the anticipated amount.
The parent/guardian will be responsible for the full amount to the vendor if equipment is ordered before a funding approval letter has been received from Easter Seals Ontario.
Installation, labour, assessment, taxes, repairs, replacement parts (batteries, slings, etc.), accessories, additions to existing equipment and/or delivery costs are not funded by this program and are the parent/guardian(s) responsibility.
Parents are responsible for all equipment costs beyond the funding provided by Easter Seals Ontario and other funders.
Easter Seals does not fund private sales or lend funds to pay for a family’s insurance or ADP portion.
It is the parent/ guardian(s) responsibility to follow up with Easter Seals Ontario to ensure the application has been received.
Parent/Guardian(s) are responsible for keeping a copy of the completed application.

Equipment Funding Approval Process

Applications are approved on a first-come, first-served basis until all budgeted funds are allocated.
The amount of funding approved may vary based on the item and how much money Easter Seals Ontario has at the time the request is received.
No additional funding will be considered after Easter Seals Ontario has granted an approval in the case where other agencies have not fulfilled their approval of funds or changed their funding, the quote provided was not current, items were missed in the quote, size of item has changed, additional items are required for equipment and/or if ADP did not fund the anticipated amount.

Can I order the equipment before I have confirmation of funding?

The application for the Equipment Funding Program must be approved before the equipment is ordered.
Parents are responsible for ordering equipment once an approval letter has been received from Easter Seals Ontario.
If an invoice is received and the date of delivery is noted to be prior to the approval notice given by Easter Seals Ontario, then it is not eligible for Easter Seals Ontario funding, and the approval will be invalid and the parent/guardian will be responsible for the full amount to the vendor.
Communication leases are an exception to this guideline.

I’ve Been Approved…What Now?

The Equipment Funding Request (EFR) must be submitted to Easter Seals Ontario, and you must have received a response back from Easter Seals Ontario prior to the equipment/items being ordered. Easter Seals Ontario cannot fund equipment that has already been purchased/received by the family.
One approval letter or email will be sent to the parent/guardian and another to the vendor, noted on the application, outlining the breakdown of costs, the approved amount and the approval deadline.
Funding approval is valid for 4 months from the approval date. The invoice from the vendor must be received prior to the end of the 4-month period. If an extension is required, please contact the Equipment Funding Program at services@easterseals.org.
Parent/Guardian(s) are responsible to order the equipment after an approval letter has been received from Easter Seals Ontario.
All vendors must be a registered business and located in Ontario.
Parent/Guardian(s) must sign and date the invoice upon receiving the equipment. Once the equipment has been received, Easter Seals Ontario’ portion will be paid to the vendor directly, and not to the parent.

Please Note: Easter Seals Ontario acts as a third-party funder and as such has no role in prescribing, recommending equipment, selecting a vendor/contractor or in the relationship between the parent and vendor. Payment from the Equipment Funding Program is not an acknowledgement that the work or equipment was acceptable. Parents are required to sign a waiver on the application indemnifying Easter Seals Ontario and its employees against any claims, negligence, losses or other legal liability.

Submitting an Application

Email (preferred): services@easterseals.org
Mail: Easter Seals Ontario
Attn: Equipment Funding Program
700-1 Concorde Gate
Toronto, Ontario M3C 3N6

Fax: 416.696.1035 (send to the attention of the Equipment Funding Program)

You will receive an approval, denial or follow up within 6-8 weeks of applying. If you have not received notification, please follow up with Easter Seals to ensure the application has been received.

Have Questions or Need Help with your Application?

Easter Seals Ontario will provide or arrange for the provision of this form in an accessible format and/or provide communication supports related to this form for persons with disabilities.

If you have any questions about the application or whether certain equipment is eligible for funding, please do not hesitate to contact the Equipment Funding Program at 416.421.8146, toll-free at 1.866.630.3336 or at services@easterseals.org.

Equipment Funding Application Eligible Equipment Chart

Other Sources of Equipment Funding

Resources for Funding and Support 2025 (PDF)