Please see the following four bullets to see if you would be eligible for a Child Care Fee Subsidy: 

• Applicant(s) must be accessing child care in the City of Cornwall or the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry.
• Applicant(s) are required to have a confirmed space in a licensed child care program or licensed home child care
• All parents/guardians in the household must be working, attending school, training or participating in upgrading skill courses or long distance education.
• You must be in financial need, as determined by an income test based on the most recent Canada Child Care Benefit Notice or Income Tax Federal Notice of Assessment.  You will also be considered to be in financial need if you are eligible for social assistance.

If you meet the above four requirements, you may be eligible for a Child Care Fee Subsidy.  Eligibility is determined by a Child Care Case Manager.

If you are not currently working or in school and you would like to access free drop-in programs for caregivers and children from birth to 6 years, please visit your local EarlyON Child and Family Centre. You can learn and play with your child, meet people or get advice.

1. Create an account on the Children’s Services Portal.
2. Complete the application:

     a) Previous/Returning Clients: complete the reapplication form found in the Children’s Services Portal.

     b) New Clients: complete the Child Care Fee Subsidy Application

  3. Upload documents as required/requested. Please be advised that your application is not considered complete until all requested documentation is received.

  4. Once the application is received, you will be contacted by a Case Manager within 10 business days of receipt of completed application. Please makes sure to check your Children’s Services Portal/emails regularly for updates.

  5. To maintain your fee subsidy, you must follow the guidelines in the Rights and Responsibilities document including participating in an annual review.

To apply for child care fee subsidy you must submit the following documents with your application. Applications that do not include the following documents will be automatically rejected after 14 days.

• Verification of Income:
• Canada Child Benefit Notice Statement for the most current year, or
• Notice of Assessment for the most current Taxation Year
• Social Assistant Recipient Stub (OW, ODSP, if applicable)
• Proof of Residency:
• Mortgage/Lease Agreement or
• Driver's License or
• Utility Bill and
• Identification:
• Copy of child(ren) birth certificate(s)

And documents from the applicable categories below:

• Verification of Employment:
• 3 current consecutive pay stubs and/ or
• Letter of Employment on letterhead and include the following: Date, Date employment starts/started, Type of employment (full time, part time, on-call, varied hours, etc.), How many hours a week or biweekly expected including start and end times, if applicable, original signature of person who wrote the letter. OR
• Student Verification:
• OSAP Assessment Summary Form (if applicable)
• School registration and time table. OR
• Verification of Self-employment:
  • Verification of a separate bank account for business activities only and
  • T2125 Statement of business or Professional Activities. (Only after 1 year) T2125 Statement of Business or Professional Activities - Canada.ca and
  • Expense income spreadsheet: Showing days/hours of employment include the dates and schedule of activities and the time involved in the activities and
  • One of the following documents must be submitted
    • Master Business License (Service Ontario) OR
    • Business Name Registration (Local Municipality) OR
    • Official document stating HST number OR
    • Certificate of Incorporation and

This list is not all inclusive. You may be asked to provide additional information pertaining to your individual situation.

A copy of the Notice of Assessment can be requested by contacting the Canada Revenue Agency directly at 1-800-959-8281, request "Option C".  A copy of the Canada Child Benefit and the can be requested by calling 1-800-387-1193.  Requested documents may take up to 10 business days for you to receive.

All applicants must file Income Tax Returns for the previous year before applying for the Child Care Fee Subsidy.

For information on how to get government subsidies and grants to help you pay for child care or to support children with special needs, please visit Ontario.ca.

If You Disagree with the Decision

If you disagree with the decision regarding your child care fee subsidy eligibility, you may request an internal review. An internal review allows your file to be reconsidered by a staff member who was not involved in the original decision.

If you do not submit a request within the required timeframe, the original decision will be final at the municipal level.

How to Request an Internal Review

Your request must be submitted in writing and received by the Children’s Services Division within 10 working days from the date on your ineligibility letter.

Your written request must include:

• A statement requesting an internal review
• The reason(s) you disagree with the decision
• Your full name
• Mailing address
• Daytime phone number(s)
• Your signature

Written requests may be submitted by:

• Mail/In Person: 340 Pitt Street, Cornwall Ontario K6J 3P9
• Email: humanservices@cornwall.ca

What Happens During the Internal Review

When you submit a request:

• Your file will be reviewed by the Program Coordinator (or designate) who is independent from the original decision‑maker.
• You may be contacted if clarification or additional documentation is needed.
• You may submit additional information that you believe supports your request.
• The internal review will be completed within 10 working days of receiving your written request.
• You will receive the decision in writing.
• You may withdraw your request at any time before the review is completed.

Please Note:

All decisions issued through the internal review process are final at the municipal level.

Not Eligible for Internal Review

Internal reviews cannot be requested for:

• Special Needs referrals
• Social referrals

These placement decisions are made at the discretion of the Municipality.

Need More Information?

Children’s Services Division
Email: humanservices@cornwall.ca

We are here to help you understand the process and your options.

You will be contacted by Children's Services for your annual review. Your file may be reviewed for eligibility based on your circumstances.