Health811 (Ontario's free health advice line)

Ontario's free and confidential health line: talk to a registered nurse, any time, or find health services and information.

For: Anyone in Ontario who needs health advice, or wants to know where to go for care.

Ontario-wide · checked 3 October 2026 · everything we know

ER Watch (live emergency room wait times in Ontario)

A free website that shows live emergency room wait times for 140+ Ontario hospitals, updated every 15 minutes.

For: Anyone in Ontario deciding which emergency department to go to. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

Ontario-wide · checked 3 October 2026 · everything we know

Health Care Connect (Ontario) - find a family doctor or nurse practitioner

Ontario's free service that registers residents without a primary care clinician and has a Care Connector search for one accepting new patients.

Ontario-wide · checked 30 September 2026 · everything we know

Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

Applications for the 2026-2027 benefit period are open. The renewal period closed on 2026-06-01: members who did not renew can submit a new application, but care received during the gap in coverage is not covered or paid back. Members must renew every year; renewals for 2027-2028 open in spring 2027.

Federal dental coverage that pays all or part of the cost of exams, cleanings, fillings, root canals, crowns, dentures and oral surgery (braces are not covered).

For: Canadian tax residents with no access to private dental insurance or a health spending account that covers dental, whose adjusted family net income is under $90,000 and who (with any spouse or partner) filed a tax return; the plan pays 100% of its set fees under $70,000 income, 60% at $70,000 to $79,999 and 40% at $80,000 to $89,999.

Canada-wide · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know

Healthy Smiles Ontario (free dental care for children 17 and under)

Apply any time. The ontario.ca program page shows a last update of October 21, 2021, so confirm the current income limits with Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600.

Free preventive, routine and emergency dental care for children and youth from low-income Ontario families, including check-ups, cleaning, fillings, x-rays, scaling and extractions (braces and whitening are not covered).

For: Children and youth 17 and under in Ontario households with family net income at or below $24,347 for 1 child, $26,189 for 2 or $28,032 for 3 (higher limits for bigger families); children whose families get Ontario Works, ODSP, Temporary Care Assistance or Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities qualify automatically.

Ontario-wide · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know

OHIP+ (free prescriptions for people 24 and under)

No application and no deadline; coverage ends on your 25th birthday.

Ontario pays for more than 5,900 prescription medications, such as antibiotics, asthma inhalers, diabetes, mental health and ADHD drugs, for children and young adults who have no private drug plan.

For: Anyone 24 or younger with OHIP coverage who is not covered by a private drug plan; coverage ends on your 25th birthday, and people with private insurance may get help from the Trillium Drug Program instead.

Ontario-wide · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know

Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program at Toronto Public Health dental clinics

Free dental care for low-income seniors (exams, X-rays, fillings, cleaning, some root canals, extractions and urgent care for pain) at about 25 Toronto Public Health and community health centre dental clinics.

For: Seniors aged 65 or older living on a low income who qualify for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (the Province sets the income limits); Toronto Public Health's free care is for people who live in Toronto, have no private dental insurance and cannot pay.

Toronto · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know

Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program and Seniors Co-Payment Program

Seniors join automatically on the first day of the month after they turn 65; a letter comes about three months before. Low-income seniors must apply separately for the Seniors Co-Payment Program.

Ontario's public drug plan pays most of the cost of more than 5,900 prescription drugs for seniors and other groups, and a low-income seniors option removes the yearly deductible and lowers the fee to $2 per prescription.

For: Ontario residents 65 or older, people 24 or under without private insurance, people on Ontario Works or ODSP, people in long-term care or getting professional home and community care, and Trillium Drug Program members; seniors otherwise pay a $100 yearly deductible and $6.11 per prescription.

Ontario-wide · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know

Trillium Drug Program (help with high prescription drug costs)

Apply any time; the program year runs August 1 to July 31. To be paid back for eligible drugs from the previous program year, apply by September 30. Enrolment renews automatically every year if your household files taxes on time.

Ontario helps households whose prescription drug costs are high for their income: after a yearly deductible of about 4% of after-tax household income, split into four quarterly parts, you pay $2 for each prescription filled or refilled.

For: Ontario residents with a valid health card who do not already qualify for the Ontario Drug Benefit program and have no insurance covering 100% of their drug costs, usually spending about 4% or more of after-tax household income on prescriptions.

Ontario-wide · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know

Assistive Devices Program (ADP)

Apply any time. The steps differ a little by type of device; see the device list on the ADP page.

Ontario usually pays 75% of the cost of equipment and supplies for long-term physical disabilities, such as hearing aids, mobility aids, prosthetics, communication and visual aids, diabetic, respiratory and ostomy supplies, and home oxygen.

For: Ontario residents with a valid Ontario health card and a physical disability that needs the equipment or supplies for 6 months or longer; coverage can reach 100% for people on Ontario Works, ODSP or Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities, and people already supported by WSIB or Veterans Affairs for the same equipment cannot use it.

Ontario-wide · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know

RCDSO Find a Dentist (Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario)

Official public register of Ontario dentists searchable by name, city, specialty or registration number, showing registration history, discipline results and qualifications.

Ontario-wide · checked 30 September 2026 · everything we know

CPSO Physician Register (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario)

Official public register to look up any active Ontario physician (or one inactive within two years) by name or CPSO number, with links to discipline decisions.

Ontario-wide · checked 30 September 2026 · everything we know

Scarborough Food Security Initiative (Feed Scarborough)

A Scarborough charity that runs a walk-in food bank, a free cafe serving meals, and an online food bank that delivers groceries to people who cannot get out because of disability, illness or injury.

For: Anyone who needs help with food (the food bank page says it serves anyone, no appointment needed); home delivery is for people whose disability, illness or injury limits mobility, with a note from a health professional, living between Lake Ontario and Ellesmere Rd and between Victoria Park and Morningside Rd.

Toronto · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know

Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)

Apply any time. Back payments can cover up to 24 months before your application, but no month before June 2025. The $150 supplemental payment starts in fall 2026 with no application: people who got a CDB payment between July 2025 and June 2026 are paid it on 2026-09-17.

A federal monthly payment of up to $204.20 for working-age people with disabilities, open to anyone approved for the disability tax credit, plus a one-time $150 payment to help cover the cost of getting that credit.

For: People aged 18 to 64 approved for the disability tax credit who (with any spouse or partner) filed a 2025 tax return and are citizens, permanent residents, protected persons, registered under the Indian Act, or temporary residents in Canada for the past 18 months; the full amount goes to single people with 2025 adjusted family net income of $23,000 or less and couples with $32,500 or less, and up to $10,210 of a single person's working income ($14,294 for a couple) is not counted.

Canada-wide · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know

Disability Tax Credit (DTC), Form T2201

Apply any time. Approval is required before you can get the Canada Disability Benefit.

A non-refundable tax credit that lowers income tax for a person with a disability or the family member who supports them, and approval is the key that opens the Canada Disability Benefit, the child disability benefit, the Registered Disability Savings Plan and the Canada workers benefit disability supplement.

For: People with a severe and prolonged impairment that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months, as certified by a medical practitioner, and the family members who support them.

Canada-wide · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know

Legal Aid Ontario - Community Legal Clinics

Network of LAO-funded community legal clinics giving free legal help to low-income Ontarians on housing, income support, workers' rights, human rights and immigration; find yours by postal code.

Ontario-wide · checked 30 September 2026 · everything we know

Canada Student Grants for Students with Disabilities (through OSAP in Ontario)

Apply through OSAP for the 2026-27 school year (August 1 to July 31), no later than 60 days before the end of your study period.

Two federal grants you do not pay back: $2,800 a year for students with a disability (until the end of the 2026 to 2027 school year), plus up to $20,000 per school year for education-related services or equipment you need because of your disability.

For: Students with financial need in a qualified program at a designated school who have a disability recognized by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program and can send documents that show it; the services and equipment grant also needs written confirmation from a qualified person that you need them, and a document confirming the cost.

Canada-wide · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

Ontario income support for people with disabilities: "money to help you and your eligible family members with living expenses" including food and rent, plus prescription drug and vision benefits, with employment supports through Employment Ontario. A single person can get up to $1,436 a month for basic needs and shelter after the July 2026 rate increase; families and people with extra needs get more.

Ontario-wide · checked 30 September 2026 · everything we know

Ontario Learn and Stay Grant (nursing, paramedic and medical lab students)

Apply through OSAP each school year; you can apply up to 60 days before the end of your study period. The page lists the programs and campuses for students starting in 2026-27; 2025-26 applications closed July 31, 2026. Students who started in 2023-24 or later stay eligible in later years. If you do not finish the work commitment, the grant becomes a loan you must repay.

Ontario pays your tuition, compulsory fees, books and other direct education costs (supplies, equipment) if you study practical nursing, nursing, paramedic or medical laboratory programs at an eligible campus in Northern, Eastern or Southwestern Ontario and then work in that region.

For: Ontario residents who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, enrolled in an eligible program and campus (Toronto campuses are not in the eligible regions), who agree to work in the same region for at least 180 days (6 months) for every full year of study the grant pays for.

Ontario-wide · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know

Pro Bono Ontario Free Legal Advice Hotline

Ongoing; phone Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (powers of attorney mornings only, 9–1)

A phone hotline staffed by volunteer lawyers offering up to 30 minutes of free legal advice, Monday to Friday 9–5; no family, immigration or criminal law.

For: Ontarians who cannot afford a lawyer and have a civil law problem (court process, appeals, employment, consumer/debt, housing, small business/non-profit corporate matters, powers of attorney).

Ontario-wide · checked 30 September 2026 · everything we know

Government of Canada Benefits Finder (Canada Child Benefit, GST/HST credit and other supports)

Anonymous filter tool on canada.ca listing 157 federal and provincial supports by need (job loss, housing, family, disability, health, retirement), audience (newcomers, students, seniors, Indigenous Peoples, veterans) and province, with links out to each program. Entry point for finding child and family benefits such as the Canada Child Benefit and GST/HST credit.

Toronto · checked 30 September 2026 · everything we know