Community Care Access Centre | Home

Eligibility/Admission/Costs

Eligibility

Resources for community care - both people and money - are limited. As a result, the Province of Ontario has established eligibility requirements and service maximums, which are used by all CCACs. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that those who need care most receive it.

If you have any questions about eligibility or service maximums, please contact your case manager.

To receive care at home:

  • You must be an Ontario resident and have a valid Ontario health card 
  • A South West CCAC case manager must assess you as needing care 
  • You must need care to stay at home or return home from the hospital
  • Your home must be a suitable and safe environment for care
  • The care must help you make progress toward your health goals
  • The services you need must be available in the area serviced by the South West CCAC

Service Maximums

Not all clients receive the maximum service available. Need is determined based on a thorough assessment by a South West CCAC case manager.

Personal Support
A client may receive up to:

  • 80 hours in the first 30 days after the first day of service 
  • 60 hours in any subsequent 30-day period

These maximums may be exceeded for up to 30 days if the CCAC determines it is justified by extraordinary circumstances.

Nursing
In a 7-day period, a client may receive up to

  • 28 visits from a Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse, or
  • 43 hours of Registered Nursing service, or 
  • 53 hours of Registered Practical Nursing service, or 
  • 48 hours of a mix of Registered Practical Nursing service and Registered Nursing service

Admission

The admission process for CCAC services is started by contacting your local South West CCAC office. A CCAC Case Manager will talk with you over the telephone, visit you at your home, or meet you while you're in the hospital. Your case manager will learn about your challenges and strengths, and the people who support you. Together you'll identify where you need some extra help, and develop a plan to meet your needs.

Costs

All CCAC services are fully funded by the Ministry of Health are Long-Term Care and are available without charge to eligible clients.