provincial · Ontario

Passport funding (developmental)

Ontario's Passport program funds community participation and independence for adults 18 or older with a developmental disability. Every eligible adult gets at least $5,500/year in base funding. It is paid back against invoices. More funding is possible, up to about $44,275, based on assessed need. Passport also pays for caregiver respite (a short break for caregivers).

Check if I qualify

Verified Aug 22, 2026
provincial program · Ontario

AnnualFamilies & kids

At a glance

Worth:: $5,500 base/year
Who:: You are 18 or older, live in Ontario, and have a developmental disability.
Apply:: Official program page

What it could be worth

Amount

$5,500 base/year

Base funding: at least $5,500/year for every eligible adult, no matter when you start in the year.
Maximum: about $44,275/year for the highest assessed needs (program guidelines).
How payment works: you (or your person managing funds) submit invoices and receipts. Admissible expenses are paid back up to your annual allocation.
Claim deadlines: expenses from on or before March 31, 2026 must be claimed by March 31, 2027. For anything bought on or after April 1, 2026, you get 12 months after each fiscal-year end.

Example: A young adult uses the $5,500 base allocation to pay a support worker $25/hour for 4 hours of community participation each week (about $100/week, roughly $5,200 over a full year — inside the base allocation). The family pays the cost first. They submit invoices to the local Passport agency and are paid back up to the annual allocation. Respite for caregivers can be claimed from the same allocation.

How it benefits you

Every eligible adult gets at least the base funding of $5,500/year, no matter when in the year you start.
Funding is flexible. It can pay for community classes and recreation, work and daily-living skills, hiring a support worker, person-directed planning, and caregiver respite.
You may be able to get more funding above the base, based on an assessed level of need (up to about $44,275/year in total). Approved requests go on a local waitlist and are funded as money becomes available.
Local Passport agencies across Ontario run the program. They approve plans and pay back admissible expenses up to your annual allocation.
From age 17, SSAH (Special Services at Home) and school staff help families move into Passport through Developmental Services Ontario.

What you need to qualify or apply

Eligibility

You are 18 or older, live in Ontario, and have a developmental disability.
Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) must first confirm that you are eligible for adult developmental services.
Funding is a reimbursement (you pay first and get paid back). You, or a designated person managing funds, submit invoices and receipts for admissible expenses.
Waitlists for funding above the base allocation vary by region and by assessed need.

How to apply

Contact your local Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) office. DSO confirms your eligibility for adult developmental services, including Passport.
Once DSO confirms your eligibility, your local Passport agency runs your funding and helps you plan how to use it.
Name a person managing funds (if someone manages the money for you) and sign the service agreement with the local Passport agency.
Buy admissible services and supports, and keep your invoices and receipts.
Submit your claims to your Passport agency before the deadline. For expenses on or before March 31, 2026, the deadline is March 31, 2027. After that, you get 12 months after each fiscal-year end.

Documents you may need

DSO confirmation of eligibility for adult developmental services.
Service agreement with the local Passport agency (and your person-managing-funds choice, if you use one).
Invoices and receipts for admissible expenses, dated inside the claim window.