Subsidy and fee assistance

Everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in recreation programs, stay active, build connections, and enjoy the many benefits recreation brings to individuals and families. We're committed to reducing financial barriers and helping residents access affordable recreation opportunities.

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Eligibility requirements  Application process  Required documentation  Using subsidy credits  Other fee assistance programs

 

Recreation Subsidy Program

Our Recreation Subsidy Program provides eligible Caledon residents with an annual recreation credit to help cover the cost of participating in Town recreation services. Approved applicants receive $250 per eligible individual per year, applied directly to their recreation account for use toward eligible Town recreation programs, memberships, and drop-in activities.

 

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the Recreation Subsidy Program, you must meet all three requirements:

  1. Be a resident of the Town of Caledon.
  2. Have a total household income that falls within Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) limits or are enrolled in Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program.
  3. Provide supporting documentation to verify residency, family composition, and financial eligibility.

 

Application process

To ensure subsidy credits are available before registering for programs, applicants are encouraged to apply at least six weeks before their intended registration date. Residents can apply online or in person at any recreation centre. Approved applicants will receive confirmation by email, and subsidy credits will be applied directly to their recreation account.

Applying online

The easiest way to apply is through the online application form. The form will guide you through each step of the process, helping ensure your application is completed correctly and that all required information and documentation are provided.

Recreation Subsidy Application

Once submitted, your application is sent to the Recreation Subsidy team for review and eligibility assessment. Applications are typically processed within six weeks of receiving a complete application and all required documentation.

If additional information or clarification is required, a member of the Recreation Subsidy team will contact you directly.

Apply in person at a recreation centre

Staff at our recreation centres can guide you through the application process and help ensure all required information is completed correctly. Ensure you bring your supporting documentation with you. Staff will complete an application and securely upload documents to your application on your behalf as part of the submission process.

Once submitted, your application is sent to the Recreation Subsidy team for review and eligibility assessment. Applications are not approved or denied at recreation centres and are typically processed within six weeks of receiving a complete application and all required documentation.

If additional information is required or you have questions about eligibility, recreation centre staff can help submit inquiries to the Recreation Subsidy team on your behalf.

 

Required supporting documentation

To verify your eligibility, you must provide documentation confirming your residency, household composition, and financial eligibility. The documents required depend on your family situation.

Applying as an individual without dependants

When applying as an individual, the supporting documentation should reflect your net income or prove you are enrolled in programs such as Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program. You can upload at least one of the following supporting documents:

  • Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment (NOA)*

  • Goods & Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) Credit Notice*

  • Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Program (ODSP) Monthly Statement or Confirmation of Income Support Letter**

  • Caledon Community Services (CCS) Verification Letter

Applying with a spouse or common-law partner without dependants

When applying with your partner, your supporting documentation should either reflect the net income for both you and your partner or prove you are enrolled in programs such as Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program. You can upload at least one of the following supporting documents:

  • Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment (NOA)* [required for each individual]

  • Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Program (ODSP) Monthly Statement or Confirmation of Income Support Letter** [all individuals must appear on document]

  • Caledon Community Services (CCS) Verification Letter

Applying as a family

When applying as family, the supporting documentation should reflect the combined net income for the family, applicant’s marital status, and all dependants or prove you are enrolled in programs such as Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program. You can upload at least one of the following supporting documents:

  • Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Notice*

  • Goods and Services Tax / Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) Credit Notice*

  • Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Program (ODSP) Monthly Statement or Confirmation of Income Support Letter** [all individuals must appear on document]

  • Caledon Community Services (CCS) Verification Letter

* CRA-issued documents: Before July 1, documents dated from the previous tax year or more recent will be accepted. On or after July 1, only documents from the current tax year will be accepted.

** OW/ODSP-issued Documents: Only statements dated within the last two (2) months of the application date will be accepted.

 

Using subsidy credits

Once approved, your subsidy credit is applied to and will be visible directly in your recreation account. Your subsidy credit can be used online, by phone, or in person at any recreation centre when registering for eligible programs and services.

If an eligible service is cancelled or withdrawn, any refund will be returned as a subsidy credit to your recreation account, in accordance with our Cancellation and Withdrawal Policy. Subsidy credits are non-transferable, cannot be exchanged for cash, and have no cash value.

Subsidy credits are valid until December 31 of the approved subsidy year and any unused credit will expire at year-end. Subsidy credits cannot be carried forward to a future year. It is important to remember that subsidy credit usage is based based on the registration date, not the program start date.

When Can I Use My Subsidy Credit?

The registration date is what matters. The date the program starts does not determine which subsidy credit is used.

You CAN use your subsidy credit if:

✅ You register before December 31 of your approved subsidy year.

✅ You register before December 31, even if the program starts next year.

Example: You register on December 15 for a program that starts in February. Your subsidy credit can be used because you registered before December 31.

You CANNOT use your subsidy credit if:

❌ You try to use next year's subsidy credit before January 1.

❌ You have subsidy credits left over after December 31.

Example: You are approved for next year's subsidy but register in December. You must wait until January 1 to use the new subsidy credit.

 

 

Community Partner Fee Assistance Programs

We partner with several community organizations that provide funding or fee assistance to eligible residents. These programs are administered independently by each organization and may have different eligibility requirements, application processes, and funding amounts.

Caledon Community Services (CCS)
Caledon Community Services offers a variety of community support programs and may assist eligible residents in accessing recreation fee assistance opportunities.

Brampton Caledon Community Living (BCCL)
BCCL supports individuals with developmental disabilities and may provide access to funding supports that can assist with recreation participation.

Region of Peel (RoP)

The Region of Peel administers various financial assistance and social support programs that may help eligible residents participate in recreation and community activities.