Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD)
The Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) program is an Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services program that provides financial help to families of children who have severe physical disabilities. ACSD assists with extraordinary costs that arise from a child's disability and that are not covered by other government programs, including costs related to hearing devices and audiological care.
Children whose families receive ACSD payments may be eligible for additional hearing aid funding beyond the Assistive Devices Program (ADP). This includes coverage for hearing aids, batteries, repairs, and hearing-related assistive devices that support the child's daily functioning. ACSD is not a substitute for ADP but can provide a supplementary layer of support for families where costs exceed what ADP covers.
Eligibility for ACSD is based on the severity of the child's disability and the family's financial circumstances, assessed through the program's application process. The program is distinct from ODSP, which covers adults and older children, though the two programs interact in how they coordinate hearing aid funding. Audiologists working with pediatric patients can assist families in understanding which funding programs apply and in preparing the required documentation.
