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Low-Income Financial Assistance

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Page summary

Halton Region helps with health and funeral costs for residents with low incomes. 
 

About Low-Income Financial Assistance

Halton Region provides one-time financial assistance to help with the cost of funerals and health needs. This includes select assistive devices recognized by the Assistive Devices Program (external link).

Learn more about the supports that may be available to you by reviewing the categories below.

The eligibility criteria is different between supports. You may be eligible for some benefits and not eligible for others. For many benefits, you must have documentation from a medical professional or vendor to confirm the need and/or cost. Do not order or pay for any service or item before getting approval from Halton Region staff. You will not be reimbursed for anything purchased before approval.

 

Supports available

Health-related benefits and medical equipment

The following are not covered under the provincial Assistive Devices Program (external link).

Adult day programs

  • The Region may provide coverage for the cost of adult day programs in Halton.
  • Adult day programs offer structured, supervised activities in a community setting. They are for adults living at home with physical disabilities, frail health, Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementias.
  • A referral from Home and Community Care Support Services is required (formerly operating under the name Local Health Integration Networks, or LHINs).
  • The adult day program determines the number of days a resident is eligible to attend.
  • For more information, including how to apply, visit the Community Programs for Older Adults page.

Bath aids

  • Halton Region may provide coverage for basic and essential bath aids, up to a maximum of $500 per item.
  • An assessment and referral from an occupational therapist are required.
  • Two cost estimates are required; the most cost-effective item will be approved.
  • The following bathroom assistive device aids may be covered:
    • bath transfer bench
    • raised toilet seat
    • stationary commodes
    • grab bars
  • Residents who reside in homes for special care, a hospital, or in long-term care facilities are not eligible.

Custom cast footwear

  • Halton Region may provide coverage for footwear when a resident requires custom shoes fitted from plaster cast due to severe foot deformities, up to a maximum of $2,000.
  • An assessment and cost estimate are required. The assessment must be completed by one of the following medical professionals:
    • Podiatrist, D.P.M.
    • Chiropodist, D.Ch.
    • Pedorthist, C.Ped. (C)
    • Certified Orthotist, C.O. (C)
  • Please visit your family doctor for a referral to one of the medical professionals listed. They will provide the assessments needed to complete your application.

Emergency dental

Eyeglasses

Hospital beds

  • Halton Region may provide coverage for a hospital bed if it is necessary to prevent hospitalization.
  • An assessment and referral from an occupational therapist are required.
  • Two cost estimates are required; the most cost-effective item will be approved.
  • Residents may be required to explore other funding options before coverage is approved.
  • The following hospital beds and costs may be covered:
    • single bed, up to $3,000.
    • bariatric bed (weight must exceed 450 lbs), up to $3,600.

Mechanical, ceiling and Hoyer lifts

  • Halton Region may provide coverage for mechanical, ceiling or Hoyer lifts.
  • An assessment from an occupational therapist is required.
  • Two cost estimates are required; the most cost-effective item will be approved.
  • Requests are only considered if other funding options are not available.
  • Ceiling lifts will only be considered for applicants that own their home. Applicants that live in group homes, agency homes and rental units will only be eligible for portable lifts.

Medication

  • Halton Region may provide one-time coverage for residents that do not have drug coverage through an employer or other source, up to a maximum of $500.
  • Coverage is only provided if the medication is covered under the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary. Applicants must apply to the Trillium Drug Program (external link) for ongoing drug coverage.
  • Medications that may be covered include:
    • medication covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary
    • EpiPens

Medical equipment and items

  • Halton Region may provide coverage for basic and essential medical equipment that are directly related to the health and safety of a resident.
  • An assessment from an occupational therapist or another healthcare provider is required.
  • Two cost estimates are required; the most cost-effective item will be approved.
  • The following medical equipment may be covered:
    • 2-wheel walker
    • transport chair

Orthotics

  • Halton Region may provide coverage for one pair of orthotics, up to a maximum of $350.
  • An assessment and cost estimate are required.
  • An assessment will only be accepted from the following medical professionals:
    • Podiatrist D.P.M.
    • Chiropodist D.Ch.
    • Pedorthist C.Ped. (C)
    • Certified Orthotist C.O. (C)
  • Please visit your family doctor for a referral to one of the medical professionals listed. They will provide the assessments needed to complete your application.

Project Lifesaver

  • Halton Region may cover the initial charge for the transmitter, up to $400. Halton Region may also provide annual coverage for a battery, up to $60.
  • The Project Lifesaver program helps protect family members who might wander or run away through the use of wearable technology.
  • Visit the Project Lifesaver page to learn more about the program and apply.

Assistive Devices Program top-up coverage

The following items are partially covered under the Provincial Assistive Devices Program (external link). Halton Region may assist eligible residents with low incomes with their portion of the cost.

Hearing aids

  • Halton Region may assist with the costs not covered by the Assistive Devices Program (external link).
  • A hearing assessment and cost estimate are required.
  • Halton Region does not provide coverage for batteries or other related equipment.

Mobility aids

Prosthetics

Sleep apnea machines (CPAP machines)

  • Halton Region may assist with the costs not covered by the Assistive Devices Program (external link).
  • Halton Region may also provide coverage for supplies related to the function of the machine (masks, tubing) once every 12 months.

Funerals

  • The Region provides financial assistance on behalf of deceased Halton residents whose estates cannot cover the cost of a funeral.
  • Coverage is available for both burial and cremation.
  • The level of coverage provided depends on the financial situation of the deceased. Two levels of support are available:
    • Basic funeral support covers only a simple burial or cremation. Basic support does not cover a visitation and only a graveside service is possible.
    • Traditional funeral support covers burial or cremation, visitation and service.
 

Eligibility

Check your eligibility using the online application tool for health-related benefits and medical equipment (external link) or funeral assistance (external link). Checking your eligibility does not require a Halton 311 account.

 

Application requirements

If you may qualify for support, the online application tool will list information required to complete your application. This information may change depending on the service requested (either health or funeral).

Information

To submit an application, you need your:

  • date of birth (and the date of birth for others listed in the application);
  • telephone number; and
  • current address.

Documentation

You will also need to upload documents to verify reported information, such as:

  • proof of address (for example, a driver’s license, utility bill, other bills or mail addressed to you);
  • proof of income (for example, your most recent Notice of Assessment);
  • proof of status in Canada (for example, your birth certificate, passport or record of landing); and
  • proof of a government issued photo ID (for example, your drivers license, Ontario ID card or passport).
 

You can upload related documents through the online application tool for health-related benefits and medical equipment (external link) or funeral assistance (external link). You can also mail them to Halton Regional Centre (1151 Bronte Road, Oakville (Google Maps link)) or deliver them in-person to the same address.
 

Apply and manage your submission

To apply, create or log in to your Halton 311 personal account and use our online tool for health-related benefits and medical equipment (external link) or funeral assistance (external link). You can also call 311. Your application may take up to 30 minutes to complete, depending on your eligibility and availability of supporting documents.

You can use the online tools to:

  • submit an application
  • check the status of an application
  • upload supporting documents
  • contact Halton Region staff for support
Apply for health-related benefits/medical equipment

Apply for funeral assistance
 

Exclusions

The following expenses are not covered:

  • bath mats
  • blood work
  • braces/splints
  • canes
  • eye exams
  • handheld showerheads
  • medical tests
  • mouth guard
  • orthopedic shoes
  • over-the-counter medication
  • reacher
  • recliners
  • vaccines not covered by OHIP
 

Third-party document uploads

If you are a medical professional or vendor, you can submit supporting documentation on behalf of a client. Create or log into your Halton 311 business account to use the third-party upload. You will need your client's:

  • first and last name;
  • inquiry number; and
  • email address.

The client must have already applied for Low-Income Financial Assistance to have an inquiry number. After submitting their application, they will receive the inquiry number by email.

third-party document upload

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