Special Supports Program

Requires physician’s note, Occupational Therapist assessment. If approved, item will be provided from the City of Hamilton's contract vendor.

• bath transfer bench
• raised toilet seat
• stationary commodes
• grab bars

Requires physician’s note. If approved, item will be provided from the City of Hamilton's contract vendor.

• needles
• syringes
• alcohol swabs
• lancets
• blood glucose monitors
• supplies for an insulin pump

Other providers of diabetic supplies

Insulin dependent clients over the age of 65 are eligible for a yearly grant to purchase their syringes through the Assistive Devices Program (ADP).

Canadian Diabetic Association will cover part of the cost of blood glucose meter, strips or lancets through their Monitoring for Health program. For more information call 1-800-361-0796.

Must be required for daily use and be accompanied by the following documentation:

• Custom orthotics - Maximum up to $400. Can be requested every two years
• Orthopaedic footwear - Maximum up to $150. Can be requested every two years

Detailed prescription/ assessment from one of the following:

• Physician M.D.  
• Podiatrist D.P.M.
• Chiropodist D.Ch.,
• Orthopaedic Surgeon  F.R.C.S.
• Nurse Practitioner

Designation must be on the prescriber’s letterhead or prescription pad.

Prescription/ assessment must include:

1. Medical condition - abbreviations are not acceptable
2. Specify the effect the medical condition has on the patient - why the patient requires the item
3. Specify the desired outcome - how these items will help the patient

Approvals will not be authorized based on the diagnosis of flat feet in and of itself. Otherwise described as pes planus, fallen arches, talipes planus.

Custom foot orthoric requests should include a written estimate from one of the following:

• Podiatrist D.P.M.
• Chiropodist D.Ch.
• Pedorthist C.Ped. (C)
• Certified Orthotist C.O. (C)

Children under the age of 14 (1 to 13 years of age)

Any/ all requests for funding custom made orthotics and orthopaedic footwear for children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a recommendation/ assessment from an Orthopaedic Surgeon and contain all information as outlined.

Only orthopaedic footwear will be approved. Footwear not covered:

• Sandals
• Boots
• Athletic footwear (not covered if over the age of 14)

Requires Audiologist report, written estimate from supplier, Assistive Devices Program (ADP) approval/ denial.

Requires physician’s note. If approved, item will be provided from the City of Hamilton's contract vendor.

• bandages, gauze, tapes
• catheters, leg bags
• incontinence supplies (diapers, liners, under pads)
• ostomy supplies

Requires medical note from an approved health professional and/ or Occupational Therapist assessment and an estimate from supplier and Assistive Devices Program (ADP) approval/ denial.

• canes
• non-wheeled walker
• quad canes
• wheeled walkers
• manual wheel chairs
• scooters

Requires Occupational Therapist assessment. If approved, a hospital bed and/ or mattress will be provided from the City of Hamilton’s preferred vendor.

• Breast prostheses
• Artificial eye (Ocular Prostheses)
• Artificial limb

Ontario Works (OW):

• Notify the Assistive Device Program vendor that you are in receipt of assistance for assistance with the consumer contributions costs

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP):

• Contact your Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) case manager 

Low income and seniors:

• Assistance with consumer contribution
• Note from approved health professional
• Estimate from supplier of applicant’s choice showing Assistive Device Program (ADP) contribution 

Apnea monitors/ continuous airway pressure machine: 

• Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) - go through the Assistive Device Program (ADP) approved vendor.
• Low income and seniors - estimate from Supplier for the Assistive Device Program (ADP) consumer contribution portion.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) supplies:  

• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) - Please contact your case manager
• Ontario Works (OW), low income and seniors:
  • CPAP machine must have been purchased via the Assistive Device Program (ADP)
  • Estimate from supplier of applicant’s choice

Aerochambers: Physician’s note required. If approved, item will be provided from the City of Hamilton's contract vendor.

Requires physician’s note.

• DARTS
• Taxi
• Out of town medical treatments, contact your Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) case manager

Requires prescription from optometrist. If approved, item will be provided from the City of Hamilton's contract vendor.

• lenses
• frames
• contact lenses (specialist recommendation)
• repairs to glasses

Other items based on eligibility criteria requirements:

• Adult day programs
• Air conditioners - only Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Appliance repair - only Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Blood pressure monitor
• Breast pumps
• Cribs and car seats - only Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Mastectomy bras
• Personal emergency response
• Wigs

The following items are not funded by the Special Supports program:

• Drug benefits or Trillium Drug Plan deductibles
• Medicine not covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit card (e.g., allergy serum, Epi pens, hepatitis B shots). A doctor may request for a special authorization to cover a drug product. For more information visit Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Ontario Drug Benefit Individual Clinical Review.
• Assessment fees other than those for Assistive Device Program (ADP) for those receiving Ontario Works
• Non-medical transportation
• Consultation fees
• Chiropractor
• Movers
• Vaccinations
• Pressure pump mattress systems
• Ambulance fees
  Ambulance fees will be waived for those receiving Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program Act or the Family Benefits Act. Participants can go to the hospital billing department and show a cheque stub for the month that the ambulance transport was used.