Turning 18 Guide

The age-18 cliff is one of the most stressful experiences families face. Programs your child has depended on for years end on their birthday. Adult services have different names, different eligibility criteria, different waitlists, and different application processes. There's often a gap between when children's services end and adult services begin.

Don't wait until your child turns 18. Most provinces recommend starting the transition process at age 16. Some programs require you to apply two years before your child ages out of children's services.

• Child Disability Benefit stops. The tax-free monthly payment through CCB ends when your child turns 18. See our Child Disability Benefit guide.
• DTC supplement ends. The $5,914 supplement for children under 18 no longer applies, but the base DTC continues if your child is still approved.
• Canada Disability Benefit begins. Your child can now apply for the CDB ($200/month) if they have the DTC and low income.
• RDSP contributions continue. If you opened an RDSP, it continues with government matching until age 49.

• Children's program: FSCD (Family Support for Children with Disabilities) ends at 18
• Adult program: PDD (Persons with Developmental Disabilities) — apply at age 16, services start at 18
• Income support: AISH — up to $1,901/month
• FSCD and PDD applications can be coordinated with AISH

• Children's program: Autism Funding Program and At Home Program end at 19 (BC uses 19, not 18)
• Adult program: Community Living BC (CLBC) for developmental disabilities
• Also available: Personalized Supports Initiative (PSI) for adults with ASD or FASD
• STADD (Services to Adults with Developmental Disabilities) — transition planning starts at 16

• Children's program: OAP (Ontario Autism Program) ends at 18; ACSD ends at 18
• Adult program: ODSP — up to $1,408/month, includes drug and dental coverage
• Also available: Special Services at Home (SSAH) continues into adulthood in some cases
• Waitlists for adult services are significant — apply early

• Children's program: Children's disABILITY Services ends at 18
• Children's Therapy Initiative: Available until age 21
• Adult program: Manitoba Supports for Persons with Disabilities

• Adult income: SAID — $991-$1,129/month
• Transition from children's to adult services through Social Services

• New Brunswick: CBSCSN ends at 19; Disability Support Program for adults
• Nova Scotia: EIBI for preschoolers; Disability Support Program for all ages
• PEI: AccessAbility Supports covers both children and adults
• Newfoundland: New NL Disability Benefit ($400/month) available at 18 with DTC

• Age 16: Contact your province's adult disability services to start the application process
• Age 16-17: Ensure the DTC is up to date and won't expire during the transition
• Age 16-17: Open an RDSP if you haven't already
• Age 17: Apply for adult provincial income support (processing can take months)
• Age 17: Research adult day programs, employment support, and housing options
• Age 18: Apply for the Canada Disability Benefit
• Age 18: Update legal arrangements (guardianship, power of attorney, supported decision-making — depending on your province)

When your child turns 18, they are legally an adult. This affects:

• Medical decisions: Your child makes their own health care decisions unless you have legal authority
• Financial management: They manage their own finances unless guardianship or trusteeship is in place
• Information sharing: Doctors and service providers may not share information with you without your child's consent

Consider supported decision-making agreements, representation agreements, or guardianship — the options vary by province. Talk to a disability advocacy organization in your area for guidance.