A government program designed to provide direct funding to parents to help offset the cost of students learning online is now accepting applications.
When the provincial government debuted Support for Learners last fall, the program initially opened up to support parents and caregivers of elementary students up to age 12 with $200 per child plus $250 per child or youth with special needs — up to age 21.
In addition to the above, Support for Learners is now accepting applications from parents or caregivers for students age 13 to grade 12. The $200 per child is also available to students over 18 who are enrolled in secondary school.
The application period to receive the one-time payment is now open and runs until Feb. 8. Successful applicants from the initial intake for 12 and under and special needs students 21 or under who have already received payment are no longer eligible.
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"Our priority remains keeping schools safe and open while ensuring we support families facing hardship from this global pandemic," said Minister of Education Stephen Lecce in launching the initial Support for Learners program.
"This initiative will put money directly into the pockets of working moms and dads in this province," Lecce added.
From Ontario.ca's Support for Learners website:
Applicants must live in Ontario and be a:
- parent or guardian to a child or youth up to Grade 12
- secondary school student over the age of 18
- parent or guardian to a child or youth that is 21 or younger and has special needs
A child or youth with special needs is:
- any student reported to be receiving special education programs or services by their school board
- any child enrolled in licensed child care reported to be receiving special needs funding or support
- any child identified as having a special need
Note: Students who are identified as being "solely gifted" are not considered to have special needs under this program.
Children, youth or students are eligible if they:
- attend a publicly funded school
- attend a private school
- attend a First Nation operated or federally operated school
- attend school in-person or online
- are homeschooled
- are enrolled in child care
- are at home
If you received funding under programs that are now closed, like the Support for Parents or Support for Families, you can still apply for Support for Learners by clicking here.
