Moving to Ontario is complicated for any family. When one member relies on funded supports, the paperwork runs on its own timeline and very little of it can be started from another province.
This is a practical guide to the order things happen in, what you can arrange early, and where the gaps usually appear.
Start With Developmental Services Ontario
Developmental Services Ontario, or DSO, is the access point for provincially funded adult developmental services. It does not deliver services itself. It confirms eligibility and connects you to what is available in your region, including Passport funding.
Three things are required: proof of a developmental disability, proof of age, and proof of Ontario residence. Services begin at 18, though a person aged 16 or 17 can start the application early.
The proof of disability must be a psychological assessment. If you are arriving from elsewhere in Canada, an assessment completed by a psychologist registered with the equivalent body in another province can be used, so you may not need a new one. Gather the documentation before you move.
Because DSO only determines eligibility, the supports themselves come from agencies. That is where Trillium Support Services fits. We provide the support workers who work in homes, residential programs, schools and the community, and we manage Passport claims for families who would rather not administer the funding themselves.
What Passport Funding Covers
Passport is the funding most families ask about. It can pay for a support worker, community and recreational programs, work and daily living skills, person-directed planning, and respite for caregivers.
The minimum allocation is $5,665 per year. Families can apply for more through an additional package, up to $45,604 per year, depending on assessed need and availability.
It works by reimbursement. You pay for an eligible expense, submit the invoice or receipt, and are paid back up to your annual allocation. One rule catches people out: whoever manages the funds cannot also be paid as a support worker for the same person.
You can hire support workers directly or receive supports through an agency. Many families use both, and claims management is often the piece they hand off first.
Why Your Ontario Address Comes First
Proof of Ontario residence is part of the DSO application, which means the housing decision comes before the funding decision. There is no way to arrive with everything already approved.
Plan for a gap between arriving and having funded supports in place. Private support in the interim is an expense worth budgeting for, particularly if a caregiver needs to return to work on a fixed date.
Choosing Where to Live Around the Supports You Need
Availability varies by region, and so do waitlists. Before you settle on a neighbourhood, find out what exists nearby: day programs, recreation that will actually take your family member, and agencies with staff available in that area.
Transit matters more than people expect. If independent travel is a goal, an address on a decent transit route is worth paying for. If it is not a goal, proximity to the places you drive to weekly matters instead.
Planning the Logistics of Moving to Ontario
Moves disrupt routine, and for many of the people we support that disruption is harder than the move itself.
Keep familiar things accessible rather than packed at the bottom of a box. Set up the bedroom first. Visit the new home beforehand if you can, or share photographs of it. Hold the daily schedule as steady as possible while everything else changes.
One practical note if the family relies on a modified van. No rental substitutes for it, so it needs to be here in the first week rather than the third. Families moving a long distance usually fly and have it transported, and Ontario car shipping companies such as Automoves handle the modifications routinely if you mention a lift or raised roof when booking.
Finding Support Workers in Your New Community
Start this earlier than feels necessary. Finding the right worker takes time, and the right match matters more than the start date.
Be specific about what you need: experience with autism, dual diagnosis, acquired brain injury or complex behavioural support are not interchangeable. Be clear about hours, about whether the role is in the home or in the community, and about what a good day looks like.
Trillium Support Services places support workers across Ontario, including Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara, Halton, Durham, York Region, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Barrie, Muskoka, Kingston and Belleville. If you are moving into one of those areas, we can usually tell you what is realistic for your timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for Passport funding before I move to Ontario?
No. Proof of Ontario residence is part of the application, so it begins once you have an address here. You can, however, gather the psychological assessment and other documentation in advance so there is nothing to chase afterwards.
Does a psychological assessment from another province count in Ontario?
Usually, yes. The assessment must be completed by a psychologist or psychological associate registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario or an equivalent body in another province. Bring the full report rather than a summary letter.
How much is Passport funding?
The minimum allocation is $5,665 per year. Families can apply for a larger amount through an additional application package, up to $45,604 per year, with the amount depending on assessed needs and available funding.
Can I hire my own support worker with Passport funding?
Yes. You can hire workers directly, use an agency, or combine the two. Keep in mind that the person who administers the funding cannot also be paid as a support worker for the same individual.
How long does the DSO process take?
It varies by region and by what you are applying for. Treat it as months rather than weeks, and plan for private or family-provided support in the meantime. Keep your local DSO office updated if your circumstances change.
Talk to Us About Support in Your New Community
If you are moving to Ontario, or between regions within it, we can talk through what support is available where you are heading and what the timelines look like.
Contact Trillium Support Services at (905) 515-5831 or email info@trilliumsupport.com. For Passport funding and claims, call (289) 208-2029 or email passport@trilliumsupport.com. Our offices are at 605 James Street North, Suite 201 in Hamilton and 77 Florence Street, Unit 109 in Toronto, open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.
