898 Portage Parkway, Vaughan, Ontario L4K 0J6, Concord, Ontario, Canada
About Family-Self-Managed Attendant Direct Funding
The Self-Managed Attendant or Direct Funding Program (DF) is managed by the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT), Inc., in collaboration with the Ontario Network of Independent Living Centres (ONILC), and is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health. It is designed for individuals with physical disabilities who are capable of managing the additional responsibilities the program entails. Unlike other attendant services where an agency hires and sends attendants to your home, DF allows you to act as the employer, hiring and managing your own attendants and determining how and when services are provided.
What are the responsibilities of the participants?
DF participants receive monthly funds, which must be tracked and reported quarterly. The program provides forms and instructions for proper accounting. Participants are responsible for managing their own payroll and bookkeeping, including applying for a business number, making payroll deductions (CPP, EI, Income Tax, WSIB), and maintaining records for tax purposes. They must also ensure compliance with Ontario labor laws and safety regulations. Funding can be used for payroll and bookkeeping assistance, but misuse or failure to follow the rules could result in legal action and removal from the program. Participants are required to have appropriate insurance coverage for attendant services.