Raising a child with a disability comes with deep rewards—but also unique financial challenges. In Canada, while some support systems exist, the long-term financial needs of children with disabilities can be significant, often extending well into adulthood.

For this reason, early and strategic financial planning is essential for families to ensure that their child is supported throughout their life, particularly after parents are no longer able to provide care.

Why early financial planning is crucial

1. Higher and longer-term costs—Children with disabilities often require specialized care, therapies, equipment, and/or education support, which can be costly and persist over many years. These expenses may begin early in life and continue indefinitely, so the sooner families begin planning, the better positioned they’ll be to handle both expected and unexpected costs.

2. Access to government benefits and credits—Canada offers a number of financial support programs for people with disabilities, such as the Disability Tax Credit, the Child Disability Benefit and provincial/territorial income or........

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