Answers to the questions we hear most

DSO is the front door to adult developmental services in Ontario. It's the organization that determines eligibility for government-funded adult developmental services and connects families with the right regional supports — everything from Passport funding to residential and community programs.

To qualify, the person must live in Ontario, be 18 years old (though eligibility can be confirmed starting at 16), and have a developmental disability confirmed by a qualified psychologist or psychological associate. The documentation has to meet a specific legal definition under Ontario's legislation — not just any diagnosis or school assessment automatically qualifies.

As early as age 16. Eligibility can be confirmed two years before services actually begin at 18, and given how long wait times can be, starting early is often the difference between a smooth transition and a stressful gap right after your child ages out of school-based supports.

You're connected with a DSO assessor for two in-depth meetings, each around three hours, to assess support needs. From there, your file is weighed against everyone else currently waiting through a province-wide prioritization process — so eligibility doesn't guarantee immediate services, which is why starting early matters so much.

Passport is provincial funding for eligible adults with a developmental disability, meant to help pay for community participation, support workers, skill-building, and caregiver respite. You have to be found eligible through DSO first — Passport isn't something you can apply for on its own.

Every approved recipient gets a guaranteed minimum of $5,500 per year, with funding going as high as $44,275 depending on assessed need. That assessment comes from the same information gathered during your DSO application, not from income or financial need.

Yes — hiring a personal support worker or developmental services worker is one of the most common uses of Passport funding. It's worth knowing the rules around who can be paid: funding generally can't compensate a primary caregiver, a spouse, or a child under 18.

Yes. Caregiver respite is one of Passport's core funding categories — whether that's in-home or out-of-home support, giving primary caregivers a genuine, regular break rather than only being used in emergencies.

We help families at every stage — from your very first DSO conversation, through documentation and assessment prep, to building and maximizing a Passport funding plan that actually reflects your family member's goals. Book a free Clarity Call and we'll map out exactly where you are and what's next.

A short, no-pressure conversation about your family's specific situation — where you are in the DSO or Passport process, what's not working, and what your next concrete step should be. There's no cost and no obligation.