Some basic money-saving tips

Number one: don't forget that any income-tested program or service is based on your kids' income (once they are 21), not yours. That may sound obvious, but I swear that every time we fill out paperwork that asks for things like spouse and children's names, we start to fill it in as we were applying for ourselves, not our kid. And even though my husband has tons of experience with ODSP through his work, even he started to complete that paperwork as if applying for himself!

Here are some discounts you should certainly explore:

• If you access any Parks & Recreation programs, apply for the Welcome Policy. It covers up to $250 of programming per year. Just be sure to keep track of when your policy expires: they don't necessarily remind you.
• If your kid likes the movies, get the Access2Entertainment card. It gets a companion in free to a great many venues, including movies. 
• If you use the TTC, get the TTC Support Person Card for your kid: it lets a companion travel free. And the Fair Pass Presto card on their behalf: their fare will be less.

Several mobile service providers offer discounts for people with disabilities and/or low income, but typically you need to ask. Some specific examples:

* Fido offers a $10/month accessibility plan discount: https://www.fido.ca/accessibility/plans

* Bill offers a Connect Everything or Unlimited Smartphone rate plan for $20/month accessibility discount available. Details here

Lots of venues don't publicize their policy, but it's in place. For example, you and your kid can get into the CNE for $10 just by asking at the gate (they pay $10, you get in free). Similar discounts are available for the Royal Winter Fair. Unless you feel it's stigmatizing or embarrassing, just ask. Not only does this save you money, but it takes off some of the pressure you might feel if your kid can't cope with an activity or event you just shelled out $40 for. If it's a local venue, the savings make it feasible to make numerous short visits to shape up for longer stays. And you can see it as compensation for attending someone you really would prefer to avoid, but your kid insists on attending, like some dreadful sequel to a terrible movie.

No-one has ever asked me for paperwork to prove disability, but carrying a copy of a recent ODSP statement should suffice if you are questioned.