Ontario's Assistive Devices Program and Your Group Benefits

Current as of October 2026. Government programs, tax rules and prices change. Check the official sources listed at the end of this page before making a decision, and confirm details with a licensed advisor.

What the Assistive Devices Program is

The Assistive Devices Program is run by the Ontario Ministry of Health. It helps people with long-term physical disabilities pay for equipment and supplies that support everyday life: hearing well at work, getting around the neighbourhood, breathing comfortably at home, or managing a medical condition with the right supplies.

As of October 2026, ADP funds devices in 12 categories. It sits alongside OHIP but works differently: you are not billed through your health card at a clinic. Instead, you are assessed by a qualified professional, a registered vendor submits your application, and the program contributes toward an approved price. For a broader look at the provincial safety net, see our overview of government health programs and employer benefits.

• Artificial eyes and facial prosthetics
• Communication aids
• Custom orthotic braces, compression garments and lymphedema pumps
• Diabetic equipment and supplies
• Enteral feeding pumps and ostomy supplies
• Hearing aids and other hearing devices
• Home oxygen therapy
• Mobility aids
• Prosthetic breasts or limbs
• Respiratory equipment and supplies
• Ventilator equipment and supplies
• Visual aids

Who qualifies for ADP

According to the Ontario government, as of October 2026 you can apply if you are an Ontario resident with a valid health card and you need the device for six months or longer because of a physical disability. Income is not considered, so a well-paid manager and a part-time retail associate are assessed on the same basis.

There are some exclusions. People who already receive funding for the same equipment from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) or Veterans Affairs Canada are not eligible for ADP support for that device. Residents of long-term care homes can qualify, but the device must stay with them for personal use and the home must agree to accept it.

How much ADP pays, and what it does not cover

For most equipment, ADP pays 75% of the approved cost as of October 2026, and the person pays the remaining 25%, plus any optional extras they choose. Some items are funded differently, through a set maximum contribution or a grant paid once or several times a year (common for ongoing supplies).

Hearing aids are a good example of a capped contribution. The province's hearing devices page and the ADP hearing devices policy manual set ADP's share at 75% up to a maximum of $500 per hearing aid ($1,000 for a pair), and the hearing devices manual sets a five-year funding period for hearing aids. Hearing aids often cost well beyond what that cap covers, so the person's share can be much larger than 25%. Our page on hearing aid costs in Ontario looks at this in more detail.

People receiving Ontario Works, the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities can receive 100% of the approved price or the full grant amount, depending on the device.

ADP also leaves some things out entirely. As of October 2026, the program does not pay for repairs, and its list of items it does not fund includes batteries (even for equipment bought through ADP), home renovations, bath and shower aids, automobile modifications, incontinence supplies and hospital beds, among others. These are the gaps employees most often notice later.

How to apply: assessment first, purchase second

The single most important rule: do not buy the device first. The ADP policies and procedures manual says devices can only be purchased after the person has been assessed by an authorizer or prescriber. For hearing aids, the province states plainly that if you order or buy before the steps are complete, ADP will not cover any portion of the cost.

The steps vary by device category, but the pattern is similar. For mobility aids such as wheelchairs, power scooters and wheeled walkers, a registered occupational therapist or physiotherapist does the assessment. For hearing aids, children see an ADP registered audiologist, while adults can see an audiologist or a hearing instrument specialist. The application form is completed with that professional, and an ADP registered vendor submits it. For mobility aids, the province says it aims to review applications within eight weeks of receiving them.

• Get assessed by an ADP registered professional for the device category
• Complete the application form with that professional
• Choose an ADP registered vendor
• Let the vendor submit the application, then wait for approval before buying

Where group benefits fit in

This is where an employer plan can make a real difference. Many extended health plans include coverage for items like hearing aids, mobility aids, braces or medical supplies. Depending on how the plan is written, it may help with the share ADP leaves, the cost above an ADP cap, or items ADP does not fund at all, such as repairs and batteries. Coverage, limits and the order in which payers apply all vary by plan, so the plan booklet is always the final word.

If a plan expects government funding to be used first, the employee may need to show what ADP paid. The ADP manual allows clients to request a letter confirming when they received ADP funding, which can help when submitting the rest of a claim. Our guide to coordination of benefits explains how multiple payers usually work together.

A health spending account can also help. The Canada Revenue Agency lists hearing aids, wheelchairs, walking aids, scooters, artificial limbs and ostomy supplies among eligible medical expenses as of October 2026, and HSAs generally reimburse expenses on that list. Any amount not reimbursed by ADP, an insurer or an HSA may be claimable on a personal tax return, under CRA's rules.

What employers should ask when reviewing a plan

An employee who needs a hearing aid or a mobility device usually finds out about the gaps at the worst moment. Reviewing your plan before that happens is kinder and simpler. A licensed benefits advisor can walk you through questions like these, and help you weigh them against cost during plan design.

If you would like a second set of eyes on your current coverage, or you are setting up benefits for the first time, you can get matched with a licensed benefits advisor who can explain how a plan would work alongside ADP for your team.

• Does the plan cover hearing aids, and what is the maximum and how often can it be used?
• Are mobility aids, braces and medical supplies covered, and is a prescription or ADP decision required first?
• Does the plan pay only the share after ADP, or can it cover costs above ADP's cap?
• Are repairs, batteries and replacement parts included?
• Would adding a health spending account fill gaps more flexibly for your team?

Common questions

Does ADP pay for the full cost of a hearing aid?

Usually not. As of October 2026, ADP covers 75% of the cost up to a maximum of $500 per hearing aid, with a five-year funding period for hearing aids. The rest is paid by the person, a benefits plan, or a mix of both. People on Ontario Works or ODSP may receive more.

Do I need a doctor's referral to apply for ADP?

It depends on the device. Each category has its own authorizers, such as occupational therapists and physiotherapists for mobility aids or audiologists and hearing instrument specialists for hearing aids. Check the device page on ontario.ca for current steps before you buy anything.

Can my group benefits plan cover the 25% that ADP does not?

Many extended health plans can help with the remaining share or costs above ADP's limits, but it varies by plan. Check your benefits booklet or ask your plan administrator, and keep proof of what ADP paid in case the insurer asks for it.

Is income considered for ADP?

No. As of October 2026, the Ontario government says income is not considered. Eligibility is based on being an Ontario resident with a valid health card who needs the device for six months or longer due to a physical disability.

GroupBenefitPlans.ca is a referral and information service. Advice and coverage are provided by the licensed professional and relevant providers. An enquiry does not activate insurance.