Tax Credits and Benefits for Home Care in Ontario (2026)

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Public programs, tax credits and caregiver benefits can take a real share of the cost of care. Here's what Ontario families can claim in 2026, and what to do before year-end.

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Tax Credits and Benefits That Help Pay for Home Care

Public programs, tax credits and caregiver benefits can take a real share of the cost of care. Here's what Ontario families can claim in 2026, and what to do before year-end.

November 1, 2026

5 min read

Care costs money. That part is no surprise.

What surprises many families is how much help they never claim.

Tax credits, public programs and caregiver benefits can take a real share of the cost. But they're spread across federal and provincial rules, different forms, and fine print.

Here's what Ontario families can use in 2026, in one place.

Tax Credits Worth Knowing

Medical Expense Tax Credit. For anyone paying for eligible care. You can claim costs above 3% of net income or $2,890, whichever is less. Attendant care at home counts if the person qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit, or a doctor certifies they rely on others for personal care.
Disability Tax Credit. For people with a prolonged, significant impairment, using form T2201. The 2026 amount is $10,341, and unused credit can transfer to a supporting relative.
Canada Caregiver Credit. For people supporting an adult relative with an impairment. Up to $8,773 federally, plus up to $6,122 on your Ontario return.
Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit. For Ontarians aged 70 and over. It's 25% of up to $6,000 in medical expenses, to a maximum of $1,500. It's refundable, so it can pay out even if no tax is owed. It phases out between $35,000 and $65,000 of family net income.

Credit amounts are what you claim, not what you get back. The refund is a percentage of the amount. Check with the Canada Revenue Agency or a tax professional before you file.

Home Care Can Count as a Medical Expense

This is the one most families miss.

When someone qualifies, the cost of attendant care at home, such as help with bathing, dressing and other personal care, can be claimed as a medical expense.

That means the private hours you pay for may bring part of their cost back at tax time.

An example

Say your mother is 78, lives on her own and has a net income of $50,000. She qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit, and in 2026 she pays $9,000 for personal care at home.

Medical expenses she can claim: $9,000 minus 3% of her income ($1,500), or $7,500
Federal medical expense credit: 14% of $7,500, about $1,050
Ontario medical expense credit: 5.05% of $7,500, about $379
Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit: $1,500, reduced by $750 because her income is over $35,000, so $750

That's roughly $2,180 back on $9,000 of care, about a quarter of the cost, before the Disability Tax Credit itself.

Every family's numbers are different. When the Disability Tax Credit is also claimed, attendant care claimed as a medical expense on the federal return is capped at $10,000 a year ($20,000 in the year of death). Credits that aren't refundable can only reduce tax owed, so it sometimes makes sense for another family member to claim.

Keep every invoice. A clear record of what was paid, to whom, and for what kind of care makes the claim far simpler.

Don't Pay HST You Don't Owe

If someone receives publicly funded home care, such as through Ontario Health atHome, extra private home care can be exempt from HST.

Share proof of the public services with your private provider so they can apply it. We explain how public home care works in What Ontario Health atHome Covers.

Programs That Cover Part of the Cost

Ontario Health atHome. Assessed home care, and some supplies and equipment, covered by OHIP.
Assistive Devices Program. Help with the cost of mobility aids, hearing aids and more.
Ontario Drug Benefit. Prescription coverage from age 65.
Veterans Independence Program. Home support for eligible Veterans, which can include personal care and help around the house.

With Remembrance Day on November 11, it's worth asking whether someone you care for served. Many families don't realize Veterans' programs can help at home.

If You're Caring While You Work

Most family caregivers also have a job. There is support that protects your income and your position.

EI Family Caregiver Benefit for Adults: up to 15 weeks of paid benefits to care for a critically ill or injured adult
EI Compassionate Care Benefit: up to 26 weeks of paid benefits to care for someone at the end of life
Ontario Family Caregiver Leave: up to 8 weeks a year of job-protected leave for each family member with a serious medical condition
Ontario Critical Illness Leave: up to 17 weeks of job-protected leave to care for a critically ill adult
Ontario Family Medical Leave: up to 28 weeks in a 52-week period when a family member is at significant risk of dying

EI benefits pay 55% of your average insurable earnings, up to a weekly maximum, and weeks can be shared among family members. The Ontario leaves are unpaid, but you can often pair them with EI. Apply for EI as soon as possible after you stop working, or you may lose benefits.

Before December 31

A few minutes now can save you money in the spring:

Gather this year's care invoices and receipts.
Remember that care paid by December 31 counts toward this year's return.
Medical expenses can be claimed for any 12-month period ending in the tax year. Choose the one that gives the biggest claim.
Ask the doctor about the Disability Tax Credit form if it might apply.
Check whether anyone in the family is 70 or over for the Seniors Care at Home credit.
Decide who in the family will claim which credits.
Book time with a tax professional if things are complicated.

The best time to plan for tax season is before the year ends.

For more on planning ahead as a family, read The Financial Strain of Care.

Better Care Together.