Caregivers
Programs for unpaid caregivers in Ontario
Find programs for you, the person you support, or both. Choose a starting point, then confirm details with the responsible official source.
Start here
What do you need help with?
Choose one starting point. Nothing is selected until you choose it.
- Check benefits for both of youAnswer once for yourself and the person you support. Results explain who each program is for.Start here
- Browse by who the program supportsFilter programs for yourself, a senior, an adult, or a child you support.Start here
- Plan care and next stepsStart with practical guidance for care, disability, dementia, and major health changes.Start here
Young caregiver
Young Carer Navigator
This hub lists programs by province. Our standalone guide covers school accommodations, bursaries, peer support, and crisis lines in one place.
Listed programs may have income, asset, or other eligibility tests. This guide doesn't check your eligibility.
Young Caregivers Association. Powerhouse program (informational)
Canada's leading young caregiver charity runs Powerhouse, peer support, and clinical services for young people ages 5 to 25 who support a family member.
Open official source on Youngcaregivers.caYoung Caregivers Connect, online peer support (informational)
Online forums, tips, and peer connection for young caregivers, operated by the Ontario Caregiver Organization. Helpline: 1-833-416-2273 (CARE).
Open official source on Youngcaregiversconnect.caHospice Toronto. Young Carers Program (informational)
Therapeutic, recreational, and educational programs in the Toronto area for children and youth ages 5 to 18 in a family caregiving role.
Open official source on Hospicetoronto.caOntario Caregiver Organization, young caregiver resources (informational)
Provincial hub with peer support groups, coaching, and navigation for young caregivers under 25, plus a 24/7 helpline at 1-833-416-2273.
Open official source on Ontariocaregiver.ca
These adult caregiver tax credits and EI benefits usually apply to caregivers 18 and older. They stay listed for reference.
Employment Insurance, caregiving benefits (family caregiver and compassionate care)
Service Canada’s published EI caregiving hub describing family caregiver benefits for critically ill adults or children and compassionate care benefits for end-of-life support, with separate medical certificate rules.
Open official source on Canada.caEI Family Caregiver Benefit for adults
Up to 15 weeks of EI income replacement when you provide care or support to a critically ill or injured adult.
Open official source on Canada.caEI Family Caregiver Benefit for children
Up to 35 weeks of EI income replacement when you care for a critically ill or injured child under 18.
Open official source on Canada.caEI Compassionate Care Benefit
Up to 26 weeks of EI income replacement when you care for or support someone with a serious medical condition and significant risk of death within 26 weeks.
Open official source on Canada.caCanada Caregiver Credit
Non-refundable federal tax credit for supporting an infirm spouse or dependant.
Open official source on Canada.caCaregiver Recognition Benefit
For veterans' familiesTax-free monthly VAC payment for unpaid caregivers of veterans with a severe, service-related disability and a disability benefit.
Open official source on Gc.ca
Care planning and situation guides
Benefits are only one part of caregiving. These guides help with decisions, paperwork, and practical next steps.
- Open guidePlan care for an older adultBuild a province-specific plan for health, housing, legal, and financial decisions.
- Open guideUnderstand disability benefitsSee how disability income, tax credits, and savings programs can work together.
- Open guideCare for someone with dementiaFind financial supports, care options, and steps for changing needs.
- Open guideManage cancer-related costsCheck income replacement, treatment, medication, travel, and caregiver supports.
- Open guideSupport a young caregiverOpen guidance designed for people under 26 who help care for someone.
- Open guidePlan deadlines and next stepsBuild a caregiving timeline with tasks, dates, and application checkpoints.
This guide lists federal and Ontario programs for unpaid caregivers, plus selected municipal supports. It may not include every program, especially home care, respite, or smaller communities. If something is missing or a link looks wrong, use the feedback section below.
Feedback on this list
If something is missing, outdated, or unclear on this page, please email me.