Government-funded home care in Ontario can bring nursing, personal support, therapy and other health services to eligible people at home, without a direct charge for the approved service. A valid OHIP card opens the door to an assessment, but it does not guarantee a set package of care: Ontario Health atHome decides what is appropriate after looking at the person’s needs.
Who can qualify for government-funded home care in Ontario?
Every Ontario resident with a valid OHIP card can ask Ontario Health atHome for an assessment by a care coordinator. The assessment—not age or the health card alone—determines eligibility for funded services and the kind of support offered.
People of all ages may qualify when they have chronic conditions, need palliative care, need post-acute care at home, or have a disability that makes longer-term support necessary to stay safe at home. A care coordinator considers the person’s health condition, living situation and day-to-day care needs, then matches those needs with available programs.
If Ontario Health atHome decides that its home care services are not a fit, it must explain the decision and connect the person with other community resources.
What your publicly funded care plan can cover
An approved care plan can include nursing for wound care or medication management; personal support for bathing, dressing, toileting and eating; physiotherapy; occupational therapy; speech-language pathology; social work; and nutrition counselling. The plan sets the service, number of visits or hours, and the provider agency assigned to deliver it.
| Need or service | What public funding may cover | What to ask about |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical help | Nursing visits, including wound care and medication management | How often the visit is needed and when it can begin |
| Daily personal tasks | Personal support for bathing, dressing, toileting and eating | Which tasks and visit times are in the plan |
| Rehabilitation and counselling | Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, social work and nutrition counselling | Whether there is a local waitlist |
| Equipment and supplies | Some items arranged through the plan | Whether a fee applies or another program is needed |
Publicly funded home care is usually centred on personal care and nursing, often through short visits. It generally does not pay for housekeeping, laundry, meals or 24-hour supervision. Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day programs and respite are separate community support services and may require a client co-payment.
For a person with a long-term physical disability, the Assistive Devices Program can help with approved customized equipment such as wheelchairs, scooters, artificial limbs and breathing aids. It covers up to 75% of the cost of approved devices. Ask the coordinator which supplies or equipment belong in the care plan and which program applies.
Apply without waiting for a doctor’s appointment
You can self-refer. Call Ontario Health atHome at 1-833-515-1234, or call 310-2222 without an area code, seven days a week. A doctor’s referral is not required. With the person’s consent, a family member, caregiver or friend can also make the call; a physician, nurse practitioner or hospital discharge planner can refer as well.
- Start the intake. Explain the health condition, living situation and support needed on the phone.
- Complete the assessment. A care coordinator visits the home in person or virtually for a comprehensive assessment.
- Review the decision. The coordinator decides eligibility and develops a care plan with the approved services, visits or hours and provider agency.
- Begin service when a provider is assigned. Urgent post-hospital cases can begin within days; less urgent community cases may take weeks.
Do not delay a call because you assume a referral is necessary. If needs change after services start, contact the coordinator and ask for a reassessment. For new or worsening symptoms, contact a doctor or nurse practitioner; if there is a medical emergency or immediate safety concern, seek urgent medical help rather than waiting for an assessment.
How many hours can you receive—and why waits differ
Ontario Health atHome does not publish a legislated hard cap on hours. The amount depends on assessed need, the program and local service availability. For community-dwelling clients receiving personal support, the practical pattern is often only a few hours a week: for example, two or three 30- to 60-minute visits for bathing and dressing.
People leaving hospital or living with complex needs may receive more intensive support. Ontario Ministry of Health social-media posts describe up to 11 combined hours a day of personal support and nursing in some cases. That is not a standard entitlement; the assessment and care plan remain decisive.
Regional capacity also changes the experience. Ontario has a five-day wait-time target for nursing visits and personal support for people with complex needs, while occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech-language pathology can have waitlists when providers are scarce. Rural and Northern communities generally face longer waits because fewer clinicians are available. Ask which services can start now, which are waitlisted, and what support is available while you wait.
Build a realistic budget around what funding does not pay
Services approved through Ontario Health atHome—such as nursing, personal support, therapy, social work and nutrition—are funded by the province, so the client does not pay directly for those approved services. Independently arranged private home care is not paid by OHIP. Families often use private care alongside public support for evening or night shifts, companionship, housekeeping, consistent staffing or more hours.
Typical private home care rates in Ontario for 2026 are about $35–$40 an hour for companion care, $35–$55 for a PSW, $45–$60 for an RPN and $55–$80 for a registered nurse. Compare that cost with the exact gap in the public plan before committing to a schedule.
There may be other help. The Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit is a refundable credit of 25% of eligible medical expenses up to $6,000, with a maximum of $1,500 for seniors aged 70 and older; it is reduced when family net income exceeds $35,000. The federal Canada Caregiver Credit may help people supporting an eligible spouse, partner or dependent with an impairment. EI Family Caregiver Benefit (Adult) can provide up to 15 weeks of income replacement for someone caring for a critically ill or injured adult, while EI Compassionate Care Benefit can provide up to 26 weeks when someone is at risk of death. Ask during the assessment about respite funding for unpaid caregivers.
Look beyond home care when housing or disability is the barrier
Home care and housing assistance solve different problems. Ontario Renovates can help low- to moderate-income homeowners and landlords pay for accessibility modifications and essential repairs. Municipal service managers administer rent-geared-to-income housing, below-market units and rent supplements based on income and household size. Ontario does not have BC’s SAFER program.
For people with disabilities, the Home and Vehicle Modification Program offers up to $15,000 over a lifetime for home modifications and up to $15,000 every 10 years for vehicle modifications. ODSP provides financial assistance, and Special Services at Home funds family-directed supports such as respite and personal support for families caring for a child with a developmental or physical disability.
Assisted living funded through Ontario Health atHome is assessed for eligible high-risk seniors, adults with acquired brain injury or physical disability, and people living with HIV/AIDS. The funded care services have no direct cost for eligible clients. Private retirement homes, by contrast, charge monthly fees for accommodation, meals and varying care levels.
Combine public, family-managed and private support carefully
Some eligible people can use Family-Managed Home Care funding directly and hire their own providers, including family members. The program is designed for children with complex needs, adults with acquired brain injuries, home-schooled children and extraordinary circumstances. It can be combined with Ontario Health atHome services and private care.
Put the plan on one page for the family: which tasks the publicly funded provider covers, which visits are private, who is responsible between visits, and what will trigger a call to the coordinator.
Common assumptions that can leave families stuck
“OHIP means care is automatic.”
OHIP makes an assessment available. The coordinator must still decide what funded support is appropriate.
“A doctor must refer us.”
You can self-refer by calling Ontario Health atHome. A hospital team or clinician can refer too, but waiting for an appointment is not required.
“Long-term care is free for Canadian citizens.”
Long-term care in Ontario is publicly subsidized, but residents pay a co-payment for accommodation and meals. The Long-Term Care Rate Reduction Program can help low-income residents who cannot afford the basic co-payment.
“If we disagree, there is nothing we can do.”
You can first speak with the care coordinator, then a patient services manager, and request an internal review. Decisions about eligibility, service amount, discontinuation or long-term care placement can then be appealed to the Health Services Appeal and Review Board. Ask about deadlines immediately; they are strict.
Frequently Asked Questions
What government-funded home care services are available in Ontario?
Depending on the assessment, services can include nursing, personal support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, social work and nutrition counselling. Some supplies and equipment may also be covered, although fees can apply.
How do seniors pay for assisted living?
Eligible clients assessed through Ontario Health atHome do not pay directly for funded assisted-living care services. Private retirement homes charge separately for accommodation, meals and care.
What financial help is available if I cannot afford home care for a family member?
Consider the Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit, the Canada Caregiver Credit, applicable EI caregiver benefits and respite funding through Ontario Health atHome. Eligibility differs by program.
Can government-funded and private home care be combined?
Yes. Many families use private care to cover gaps in hours or tasks not funded publicly. Eligible clients can also combine Family-Managed Home Care funding with Ontario Health atHome services and private care.
Do Canadian citizens get free long-term care?
No. In Ontario, care is publicly subsidized but residents pay for accommodation and meals. Low-income residents may be able to use the Long-Term Care Rate Reduction Program for the basic co-payment.