Passport Funding in Ontario: A Complete Guide for Families

Passport is an Ontario government program that provides direct funding to adults (18 and older) with a developmental disability. It funds community participation, daily living skill development, caregiver respite, and other support services that help individuals live more independent and engaged lives.

Unlike funding tied to a specific agency, Passport is direct-to-individual: the money is allocated to the person with a disability (or their family), and they choose how to spend it within program rules. That flexibility is what makes Passport so valuable for many families.

To be eligible for Passport, a person must be:

• 18 years of age or older
• A resident of Ontario
• Diagnosed with a developmental disability that began before age 18 (intellectual disability, autism with intellectual impairment, or another developmental condition)
• Confirmed eligible for adult developmental services through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)
• Living at home with family or independently (not in a fully government-funded residential program)

The eligibility process is run by your regional DSO office. There are nine DSO regions across Ontario. For families in our coverage area: Durham Region is served by DSO Central East, Toronto by DSO Toronto Region, York and Peel by DSO Central Region, and Halton by DSO Central West. You can find your regional DSO at dsontario.ca.

Passport funding is needs-based. Once you are confirmed eligible, you are entitled to a base allocation of $5,500 per year. The maximum allocation is $44,275 per year, allocated based on the assessed level of need.

The needs assessment looks at:

• Living situation (with family, independent, supported)
• Behavioural support needs
• Medical and personal care requirements
• Caregiver circumstances (age, health, employment status)
• Existing supports and unmet needs

Be honest about wait times: demand for Passport is high and there is a waitlist for funding above the $5,500 base. Depending on your region and assessed need, the wait can run from several months to several years for the larger allocations. The base $5,500 is typically issued promptly once eligibility is confirmed.

Step 1: Contact your local DSO. For Durham Region call DSO Central East. For Toronto call DSO Toronto Region. Each office has its own phone line and online intake form, all listed at dsontario.ca.

Step 2: Complete the DSO application package. The package includes the Application for Developmental Services and Supports (APSS), a structured assessment that captures the individual's support needs across multiple life domains. You will need supporting documentation including a psychological assessment confirming the developmental disability (typically a recent IQ assessment with adaptive functioning evaluation), proof the disability began before age 18, OHIP details, and proof of Ontario residency.

Step 3: DSO confirms eligibility. A DSO worker reviews your file and confirms eligibility for adult developmental services. This step can take a few weeks to a few months depending on regional volume.

Step 4: DSO connects you with your local Passport Agency. The Passport Agency administers your funding once it is allocated.

Step 5: Sign a tri-party service agreement. The agreement is between you, DSO, and your Passport Agency, and confirms how the funding will be managed.

Step 6: Begin using your funding. You can choose to self-manage (you receive the funds and pay providers yourself) or use a Person-Managed Funding (PMF) or Transfer Payment Recipient (TPR) arrangement where the agency manages payments on your behalf.

Passport is intentionally flexible. Common eligible uses include:

• Community participation support (1:1 support to access recreation, programs, social activities)
• Respite for primary caregivers (in-home or community-based)
• Day supports and adult day programs
• Skill development (life skills coaching, employment readiness, financial literacy)
• Recreation (swimming lessons, fitness memberships, sports leagues, art programs)
• Engaging an independent support professional for evenings or weekends so the family can rest, work, or attend appointments
• Person-directed planning support
• Transportation tied to funded activities

Passport does not fund:

• Medical treatments or therapies covered by OHIP
• Clinical therapies that fall under OAP (for individuals also accessing autism funding)
• Room and board in a residential setting
• Food or basic living expenses
• Activities not consistent with the individual's support plan

There are three ways to manage your Passport funding:

1. Self-managed. You receive the funds, pay providers like Dasdey directly, and submit invoices for reimbursement to your Passport Agency. Most families start here because it gives them maximum flexibility.

2. Person-Managed Funding (PMF). A trusted third party (often a family member or financial manager) holds and disburses the funds on your behalf. The agency provides oversight and reporting.

3. Transfer Payment Recipient (TPR). Your Passport Agency holds and disburses the funds, paying providers directly. This eliminates out-of-pocket costs but reduces your direct control.

Whichever model you use, Dasdey provides invoices that are pre-formatted to match Passport claim requirements: detailed service descriptions, dates and hours, hourly rates, our HST registration number, and our address. If a claim is ever rejected for formatting reasons, we revise and resubmit at no cost.

Starting April 1, 2026, Passport claims must be submitted within 12 months of the end of the fiscal year in which the service was provided (the Ontario fiscal year runs April 1 to March 31). For example, services provided between April 2026 and March 2027 must be claimed by March 31, 2028.

This is a tighter window than in the past. The practical implication: do not let invoices stack up. Submit them on a regular monthly or quarterly cycle.

Dasdey provides credentialed behavioural support, respite, and community participation services that are eligible expenses under the Passport program. We have walked many Durham, Toronto, York, and Peel families through their first Passport allocations. Our coordination team will:

• Help you identify what level of support fits your annual allocation
• Match you with a credentialed associate experienced with your loved one's needs
• Provide Passport-formatted invoices that meet provincial reimbursement requirements
• Walk you through your first claim submission so you understand the process
• Adjust scheduling if your funding allocation increases or decreases over time

Contact us at 647-887-0031 for a free 20-minute consultation about how Passport could fund the support your family needs.