The Direct Funding Program can only start new participants when spots open up (due to people departing the program) or when new funding becomes available. Currently, applicants can expect to wait approximately one year or less before they are invited for an interview with a panel that includes one Direct Funding employee, a representative of the local Independent Living Centre and a local consumer of attendant services. The applicant discusses his/her needs and routines with the panel, which determines if the individual is eligible for DF.
The waitlist is significantly shorter than in previous years. Various groups around the province are working towards shortening waitlists for attendant services in Ontario. As a result, Direct Funding could receive a funding increase with little notice, as it has in the past, making the wait even shorter. If you are interested in the program, you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as you can.
Good news! Thanks to the increased funding announcement, you can expect a significant drop in the waiting time to get on the program.
The Direct Funding Program is being expanded to allow more Ontarians with disabilities to live independently in their homes.
You can read more about this in our News Release.