Financial Relief Program 

We recognize that some families face financial barriers that can limit the ability of children and youth to participate in Geneva Centre for Autism's programs and services. This Financial Relief Program aims to provide subsidies based on financial need, ensuring more children with autism have access to the support they need. 
 
For the initial launch of the Financial Relief Program, families of clients eligible for ABA Classroom Level 1: Getting Ready for Group or Level 2: Learning Classroom Routines in the upcoming September 2025 - August 2026 service year can apply. 
 
The amount of financial relief ranges from $15,000 to $25,000 and will be applied directly to program fees for the upcoming service year, from September 2025 to August 2026. The Financial Relief Program eligibility and the number of subsidies available will be determined annually prior to each application cycle.  
 
Application window will be open: January 13 to March 14th, 2025 at 5 PM

Contact us at subsidy@autism.net for more information.

Eligibility 

To be eligible to apply for the GCA Financial Relief Program, the client must: 

1. Be registered for the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) and be able to provide an OAP number. 
    
2. Have completed clinical intake with GCA and confirmed their eligibility for the ABA Classrooms Level 1 or Level 2 program for the upcoming 2025-26 service year. Clinical intake should be completed prior to applying. Details on ABA Classrooms can be found here. 
    
3. Demonstrate financial need, which will be determined based on: 
   - Total net household income (after taxes and deductions);
   - Household size;
   - Total amount of Ontario Autism Program (OAP) funding allocated;
   - Ability to verify financial need (see Required documentation below); and
   - Any extenuating financial or family circumstances that may impact financial need will also be taken into consideration.  

Please note that eligibility does not guarantee a subsidy. Complete and eligible applications will be further assessed based on financial need and circumstances. 
 

Required Documents
 

The following documents should be included in the application as proof of household income and other forms of funding support. Documentation can be uploaded to the online form and/or included as physical copies if the application is completed by mail. Copies should be clear, legible and from the most recent complete tax year. 

For proof of household income, please submit one of the following: 

• 2023 or 2024 Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment for each adult (household) contributor that shows net income (line 23600); or 
• 2023 or 2024 Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Notice Statement that shows net family income  

For proof of up-to-date financial circumstances, please submit (if available): 

• Two most recent paystubs for each income earner in the household 

For proof of funding allocation through the Ontario Autism Program, please submit (if available): 

• Ontario Autism Program funding statement 

Application Process and Timelines

1. Review Financial Relief Program eligibility requirements and prepare application  

• Clinical intake should be completed prior to submitting an application. 
• The person completing the application should be a parent/legal guardian/caregiver of the client.  
• Collect supporting information and documents as per the required document list.
   

2. Submit your application 

• You can apply online, by phone, or by email: 
  - To apply online: Applications can be submitted via the online form.
  -To apply by mail: Paper-based application forms can be printed using this link (Financial Relief Print Form).
  Send the completed form along with all the required documents to: Geneva Centre for Autism Financial Relief Program 112 Merton St. Toronto, ON M4S 2Z8. Completed forms with copies of required documentation can be emailed or mailed.  
  - To apply by phone: Please contact the GCA Subsidy Coordinator to set up a phone call to complete the application form by phone. Copies of required documentation will be required to be submitted by email, mail or in-person. 

• Please feel free to contact the GCA Subsidy Coordinator via email at subsidy@autism.net or by phone at (416) 322-7877 x 332 during office hours if you have any questions about the Financial Relief Program or application process and/or would like to request assistance with the application. The GCA Subsidy Coordinator can assist with in-person or phone applications and/or translation services. 
• Applications, including required documents, must be submitted during the application period: January 13th to February 28th, 2025. 
• After submitting your application, you will receive a submission confirmation email.  
• The GCA Subsidy Coordinator will verify applications on a rolling basis. You may be contacted for follow-up clarifications or if additional support is needed to complete the application. Only complete and eligible applicants will move on to the full review process. 

 3. Application review 
After applications close February 28, 2025, eligible applications will be reviewed by an adjudication panel. This review and decision-making process can take 8 to 10 weeks. 
 
4. Notification of decision 
You will be notified by email and/or phone of the status of the Financial Relief Program application between May 1 to 15.  
 
5. Confirmation of enrollment and disbursement 

• If you have been approved for a subsidy, you will have two weeks from the date of notification to complete the following next steps: 
  - Review and sign the subsidy contract
  -Complete enrollment and disbursement plan for the following service year (September 2025 - August 2026) 
• After the subsidy contract and enrollment and disbursement plan are confirmed, GCA staff will work with you to confirm registration and payment details. 
• If you do not complete the steps within the timeframe and/or wish to decline the subsidy, GCA may choose to allocate the subsidy to another applicant. 

** To ensure fairness and objectivity, the adjudication panel operates independently from GCA program staff. GCA program staff does not have access to the contents of your application and they do not have any input on and influence over the adjudication process.

Need Assistance with the Application? 

Please feel free to contact the GCA Subsidy Coordinator via email at subsidy@autism.net or by phone at (416) 322-7877 x 332 during office hours if you have any questions about the Financial Relief Program or application process and/or would like to request assistance with the application. The GCA Subsidy Coordinator can assist with email or phone applications and/or translation services. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 
 

1. Who can apply? 

The application should be completed by the parent/legal guardian/caregiver whose child (client) meets all the eligibility criteria. 

2. What do I need to apply? 

Before you start your application, please ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and have the following ready: 

• Your contact information (first name, last name, telephone number, email address) 
• Client information (first name, last name, date of birth of client, postal code) 
• Client’s OAP number  
• Completed intake and confirmed eligibility of client for ABA Classroom Levels 1 or 2 for the upcoming 2025/26 service year 
• Total household income in most recent complete tax year 
• Total amount of OAP funding allocated   
• Required documents for proof of household income- at least one of the following:
  -Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment; or
  -Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Notice
  - Two most recent paystubs for each income earner in the household 
• Required document for proof of OAP funding (if applicable): 
  - OAP funding statement/receipt
   

3. How much is the subsidy?  

For the 2025/26 service year, the amount of financial relief ranges from $15,000 to $25,000 and will be applied directly to program fees. The amounts will be determined annually prior to each application cycle.  
 

4. What can I expect after submitting my application? 

After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email. The GCA Subsidy Coordinator will begin to review applications for eligibility and to verify documentation on a rolling basis. You may be contacted if additional information or support is needed to complete the application. After the application period closes on February 28, 2025, eligible applications will be reviewed by an adjudication panel. This review and decision-making process can take 8 to 10 weeks. Applicants will be notified of the decision by email between May 1st –15th, 2025. Approved applicants will have 2 weeks from the date of the notification to complete the next steps outlined in question 11. 

** To ensure fairness and objectivity, the adjudication panel operates independently from program staff, who are not involved in or able to influence decisions related to the Financial Relief Program. 

5. How does the subsidy work?

If approved, the subsidy is a one-time program fee credit to be applied directly to ABA Classroom Level 1 or Level 2 program fees. The subsidy can be used across one or multiple semesters. Families/caregivers will be asked to confirm their planned program enrollment and disbursement schedule within 2 weeks following notification of the subsidy decision.  

The subsidy cannot be applied to another program, carried over to the following service year, transferred to another individual or household member, or redeemed for cash. See ‘What if the client’s eligibility changes?’ for exceptions. 

Clients who have received a GCA subsidy in the past may not re-apply.
 

6. What if the client’s eligibility changes? 

If program eligibility and/or fit changes at any time prior to or during the service year, any unused subsidy can be transferred to another ABA Classroom program level (including Level 3), in line with GCA’s clinical recommendation. The subsidy funding may not be applied to other GCA programs.  

If a family receives additional Ontario Autism Program (OAP) funding during the service year, the family can continue to use the GCA subsidy. The OAP funding may be used to supplement program fees and/or applied to other OAP-eligible GCA programs and services.

7. What programs does the Financial Relief Program support? 

At this time, subsidies are available for clients eligible for ABA Classroom Level 1: Getting Ready for Group or Level 2: Learning Classroom Routines. The Financial Relief Program may expand to additional programs in the future. 
 

8. I’m having trouble with my application form. What can I do? 

Contact the GCA Subsidy Coordinator for more information or to request assistance with the application. 
 

9. How are applications assessed? 

Eligible applications are assessed based on relative financial need. Financial need is determined by household income, household circumstances (community size, number of household members), amount of government support received through the Ontario Autism Program, and any extenuating family or financial circumstances you may wish to share. Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed by an adjudication panel that is independent from GCA program staff.  
 

10. Why wasn’t my application eligible or approved? 

For applications with information or documentation that is missing or cannot be verified, GCA will try to contact applicants to request additional information. If you cannot provide required information or documentation or if the eligibility criteria is not met, the application will not be further assessed. Please review the eligible criteria prior to starting an application form and ensure that all sections of the application are complete and accurate.  

Unfortunately, a subsidy is not guaranteed as there are a limited number of subsidies available each year. If your application is not approved, you may apply again in future years. Please don’t hesitate to contact the Subsidy Coordinator if you have any questions. 
 

11. If my child is approved for a subsidy, what is expected of me?  

If you have been approved for a subsidy, you will have two weeks from date of notification to complete the following next steps: 
- Review and sign subsidy agreement outlining expectations and termination terms 
- Complete enrollment and disbursement plan for the upcoming service year  
 

12. Does being approved for a subsidy guarantee a spot in the program? 

Yes - after the enrollment and disbursement plan is confirmed, GCA will work with you to ensure the client is registered in their intended program semesters. Any changes to the enrollment and disbursement plan after the two-week confirmation period will be subject to program availability. 
 

13. Can I apply for multiple clients/children? 

Yes, each child will require their own application and will be assessed separately.  
 

14. Can I reapply? 

Families/caregivers may re-apply for the subsidy each year, assuming the client meets the eligibility criteria. Clients who have received a GCA subsidy in the past may not re-apply.  
 

15. How will my data be used? 

GCA is committed to protecting the privacy and security of all personal information. Please visit the GCA website to review our Privacy Policy.