Government funding programs in Ontario have long waitlists and strict eligibility criteria. Many families need support sooner, more flexibly, or in addition to what government programs cover. Private pay and insurance are the answer for those families. This guide explains how private pay works at Dasdey, what insurance plans typically cover, and how to combine private pay with government funding for the most complete support plan.
Why Families Choose Private Pay
The most common reasons families choose private pay:
• No waitlist. Government programs can take months to years for approval. Private pay starts as soon as we can match an associate, typically within 1 to 2 weeks.
• Maximum flexibility. No restrictions on what services you access, how many hours, or how often.
• Supplement government funding. Many families exhaust their Passport, SSAH, or OAP allocation before the fiscal year ends and use private pay to bridge the gap.
• While waiting for funding. Use private pay during the OAP, SSAH, or DSO application wait so your child does not lose months of skill-building.
• Cover services that funding doesn't. Some specialized programs or extra hours fall outside what government funding covers. Private pay covers them.
What Private Pay Covers
Every Dasdey service is available on a private pay basis:
• Autism support (1:1 in-home, school, community)
• Specialized behavioural support for complex needs
• Respite services (planned weekly, flexible, or overnight)
• School and day program support
• Residential and group home staffing (for agencies)
• Community participation support
You can book a single trial shift, a recurring weekly schedule, or a long-term placement. We adapt the model to what works for your family.
Our Rates
Dasdey rates are competitive and align with Ontario standards for specialized behavioural support. Hourly rates depend on:
• Type of support (1:1 versus 2:1 versus 3:1)
• Shift type (daytime, evening, weekend, overnight)
• Notice (planned recurring versus emergency same-day)
• Term length (one-time versus recurring versus long-term)
We provide transparent quotes during the intake conversation so you know exactly what you are paying before you commit. We do not publish exact rates publicly because they vary too much by situation, but we will give you a clear, written quote within one business day of your inquiry.
Payment Options
We accept:
• Credit and debit via secure Stripe payment links
• Interac e-Transfer for one-time and recurring payments
• Cheque for families and agencies that prefer it
Most private pay families are invoiced bi-weekly or monthly, with payment due 7 days after invoice. Long-term agency contracts are typically invoiced monthly.
Insurance Coverage
Some extended health benefit plans cover behavioural support, respite care, or specialized 1:1 support, particularly when delivered by qualified providers. Coverage depends on your specific plan.
What to do:
• Call your insurance provider and ask about coverage for behavioural support, respite, autism support, or developmental services. Use the specific terms they recognize.
• Ask what documentation they require for claims (provider credentials, treatment plan, invoice format, prescription if applicable).
• Request our invoice template, we can customize the format to include the information your insurer typically requires.
We also work with families using tribunal settlements (auto insurance, slip-and-fall, malpractice) where behavioural support is part of the funded care plan. Provide us with the tribunal documents and we coordinate billing accordingly.
Combining Funding Sources
Many families combine private pay with government funding for the most complete support plan. A few common patterns:
• Passport plus private pay: Use your $5,500 Passport base for weekly community participation, then add private pay for additional respite hours.
• SSAH plus private pay: Use SSAH for after-school skill-building, private pay for weekend coverage.
• OAP plus private pay: Use OAP for clinical services, private pay for community-based skill practice and respite.
• Insurance plus private pay: Use the insured hours, then add private pay for the gaps.
Our coordination team will help you map out the most efficient combination based on what funding you have, what your family needs, and what your annual budget can support.
Get a Quote
Contact us for a free 20-minute consultation and a written quote within one business day. No obligation. We will walk through your family's situation, explain what support would actually help, and give you a clear price.
Call 647-887-0031 or use our contact form.
Need Help Navigating This?
Dasdey supports families across the GTA with funding navigation, eligibility questions, and behavioural support. Contact us for a free 20-minute consultation, no obligation.