Sign in

From The Homeowner's Guide by Zulma

Helping a parent stay home: the money finder

See which Ontario and Niagara programs a senior may qualify for. Answer a few questions.

Program details were checked against official sources (ontario.ca, the CRA, the Region, and the cities) on July 21, 2026. Programs change, so confirm eligibility with each one.

This is a starting point, not tax, benefit, or legal advice. Each program sets its own eligibility and amounts; confirm directly before you rely on anything here.

There is more help than most families know, and a lot of it goes unclaimed because nobody compiled it. Answer a few questions about your parent and we will show the Ontario and Niagara programs they may be eligible for, what each is worth, and how to apply. You decide what to pursue; the programs decide who qualifies.

Find programs

Nothing here is stored or shared. Change any answer and the list updates.

You may be eligible for
3 programs

These are possibilities based on your answers, not a decision. Each program sets its own rules, so confirm eligibility with the program before you count on it.

Claim on a tax return

Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit

Up to $1,500 a year (25% of up to $6,000 of eligible medical expenses). Refundable.

Who:
You or your spouse turned 70 or older in the year, and family net income is under $65,000 (the credit shrinks above $35,000).
How:
Claim on the tax return, Form ON479.

Covers eligible medical expenses like attendant care, nursing, walking and bathroom aids, and mobility renovations. Routine house cleaning on its own is not an eligible expense.

Confirm and details

Ontario Senior Homeowners' Property Tax Grant

Up to $500 a year toward property tax.

Who:
A homeowner 64 or older, with income under $50,000 (single) or $60,000 (couple).
How:
Claim on the tax return with the ON-BEN application.
Confirm and details

Apply for funding or services

Ontario Health atHome (publicly funded home care)

Nursing, personal support, and therapies at no cost if you qualify.

Who:
Any OHIP holder a care coordinator assesses as eligible. Anyone can refer, including family.
How:
Call 1-833-515-1234 (or 310-2222). Self-referral is allowed.

Publicly funded homemaking usually rides along with personal support; it is not a standalone free cleaning service. Publicly funded or subsidized home care is also GST/HST-exempt.

Confirm and details

Some tax credits you may see advertised have expired (the Ontario Seniors' Home Safety Tax Credit and the Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit). They are not included here. These programs help with care, renovations, and taxes; routine house cleaning on its own is not a tax-creditable expense.

Where to start

One free call opens most doors

Call Ontario Health atHome at 1-833-515-1234 (or 310-2222). A care coordinator can assess any OHIP holder for publicly funded care, and the same occupational-therapist assessment is what several other programs ask for. Then gather receipts by tax year, and check the Niagara intake windows (Niagara Falls runs August 1 to October 31; the regional deferral is due by February 28).

Reliable help, whenever you want it

Zulma is a private service, not one of the programs above. If regular cleaning from a carefully vetted local Pro would help a parent stay comfortable at home, we would love to help.

See residential cleaning
  • From The Homeowner's Guide by Zulma. Free to use, free to share, no sign-up.
  • A navigator, not advice. Eligibility rules and dollar amounts are set by each program and can change; every figure here is tied to a tax or benefit year and was verified on the date shown.
  • Some credits still advertised elsewhere have expired and are not included. Routine private house cleaning is not, on its own, a tax-creditable or tax-exempt expense.

Sources

Program details were checked against these official sources on July 21, 2026.

  1. Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-seniors-care-home-tax-credit
  2. Home Accessibility Tax Credit (line 31285), Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-31285-home-accessibility-expenses.html
  3. Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit (line 45355), Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-45355-mhrtc.html
  4. Ontario Senior Homeowners' Property Tax Grant: https://www.ontario.ca/page/senior-homeowners-property-tax-grant
  5. GAINS payments for seniors, Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/guaranteed-annual-income-system-payments-seniors
  6. Home & Vehicle Modification Program, March of Dimes Canada: https://www.marchofdimes.ca/en-ca/programs/am/hvmp
  7. Veterans Independence Program, VAC: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/financial-programs-and-services/help-home/veterans-independence-program
  8. Ontario Health atHome: https://ontariohealthathome.ca/
  9. Niagara Region property taxes (deferral): https://www.niagararegion.ca/government/budget-taxes/default.aspx
  10. Niagara Falls water & property tax relief: https://niagarafalls.ca/property-home-and-environment/property-tax-and-assessment/water-and-property-tax-relief-programs/
  11. St. Catharines senior assistance programs: https://www.stcatharines.ca/community-services-and-supports/senior-assistance-programs/