Funding programs in Ontario for hospital beds, mattresses, lifts and cushions

How to read this page

We can’t tell you which program will pay. This page shows you where to ask, and what to ask.

It lists programs that help pay for equipment, and the public programs you may need to go through first.

• Listed in its own document means we read the program’s own page or document. The entry says what it names, in its words where the type matters.
• Worth asking means the program exists and may help, but we have not established what it covers. The entry gives who it is for and its official link.
• Other help with costs covers home changes, travel, vehicles, taxes, work and local service clubs. Most of these do not pay for a mattress, a hospital bed, a lift or a cushion.

The labels show the equipment a program’s document names. A program naming a kind of equipment does not mean a particular product is covered: the program decides. A mattress and an overlay are different things, and so are a bed and its mattress, so ask about the exact equipment your clinician recommends.

• Powered mattress or surface
• Pressure or therapeutic mattress
• Mattress overlay
• Hospital bed
• Lift
• Sling
• Positioning

Private insurance and workplace plans are on their own page: workplace and retiree plans. Start there if the person, or their spouse or common-law partner, has ever had benefits through work.

• Listed in its own document

  Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP): Mandatory Special Necessities

  • Sling
  • Positioning

  People receiving ODSP, and the other members of their benefit unit.

  The self-care section of the benefit schedule lists a positioning wedge, heel protectors, a hygiene sling, bed rails and “homecare bed accessories”. That section does not list a mattress or a hospital bed.

  The ministry must approve the need. ODSP covers only items that no other source covers, and approves entry-level items.

  Official source: ontario.caChecked November 11, 2026

• Listed in its own document

  Ontario Health atHome: medical equipment

  • Powered mattress or surface
  • Mattress overlay
  • Hospital bed
  • Lift
  • Sling

  Patients of Ontario Health atHome (home and community care).

  The provincial equipment list has an “Active Multi-zone Mattress with Alternating Pressure, Powered”, a high-density foam mattress, foam and gel and non-powered air overlays, an electric hospital bed, electric lifts and slings. It does not use the words “low air loss”.

  A health professional on the care team or the care coordinator places the order. The equipment is a rental, typically for 30 days, with exceptions.

  Official source: ontariohealthathome.ca (a spreadsheet)Version 26-007, effective August 18, 2026Checked November 11, 2026

• Listed in its own document

  Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

  • Pressure or therapeutic mattress
  • Hospital bed

  Workers with an allowed WSIB claim and a serious injury or illness that permanently affects their ability to be mobile, communicate or care for themselves.

  The policy says WSIB may authorize a hospital bed or a “specialty mattress”, and that it generally considers specialty mattresses “designed for the purpose of reducing or relieving pressure”. It does not say whether that includes a powered mattress. It does not consider authorizing standard mattresses.

  WSIB must approve the device before it is bought, and a health care practitioner must prescribe or recommend it. WSIB may require buying from an approved vendor.

  Official source: wsib.caPublished September 21, 2026Checked November 11, 2026

• Listed in its own document

  Statutory accident benefits (auto insurance)

  People injured in an auto accident who claim accident benefits from an Ontario auto insurer.

  The regulation does not name a mattress, a hospital bed or a lift. Its medical benefit covers reasonable and necessary expenses for “wheelchairs or other mobility devices, prostheses, orthotics and other assistive devices”, and other medical goods the insurer agrees are essential.

  A treatment and assessment plan, signed by a regulated health professional, goes to the insurer before the expense, with a few exceptions.

  Official source: ontario.caChecked November 11, 2026

• Listed in its own document

  Ontario Works: discretionary benefits

  • Hospital bed

  People receiving Ontario Works and the members of their family unit. The benefits are handled by the local municipality or First Nation.

  The provincial directive’s list of approved special items includes “electric beds to avoid bedsores for persons confined to a bed”, and batteries and repairs for mobility devices such as lifts. It does not name a mattress. Other health-related items can be approved case by case.

  The local Ontario Works administrator decides each request, case by case, from documents that show the need. The directive does not say what must happen before buying; the local office sets its own steps.

  Official source: ontario.caOctober 2018 (page updated April 14, 2026)Checked November 11, 2026

• Listed in its own document

  City of Toronto: medical items for people on Ontario Works or ODSP

  • Pressure or therapeutic mattress
  • Hospital bed
  • Lift
  • Sling
  • Positioning

  Toronto residents receiving Ontario Works or ODSP; the page says low-income Toronto residents may also qualify for help. People living in long-term care homes and similar institutions are not funded.

  The city’s list has “Hospital Beds and Accompanying Therapeutic (pressure relief) Mattresses and Accessories”, manual or electric. It does not say what type of pressure relief mattress. It also lists a wedge, a fall mat, lifts (electric, manual, portable and free-standing) and slings; it does not pay for ceiling track lifts.

  An occupational therapist’s assessment with the diagnosis is required, and it must say if the bed is needed to prevent wounds or skin breakdown. A vendor’s cost estimate is required for accessories, lifts and slings.

  Official source: toronto.caDate modified June 30, 2026Checked November 11, 2026

• Listed in its own document

  City of Hamilton: Special Supports Program

  • Mattress overlay
  • Hospital bed

  Hamilton residents living independently in the community who receive Ontario Works or ODSP, and low-income residents aged 18 and over. People living in a hospital or a chronic or long-term care facility are not eligible.

  For people on Ontario Works or ODSP, the city’s list has “Hospital Beds and Mattresses” and “Mattress overlays”, with no type of mattress or overlay given. For low-income residents who are not on those programs the list has mattress overlays and bed rails, but no hospital bed or mattress. No lift or sling is on the lists.

  Approval is needed first: the page says not to order or buy equipment before funding is approved. A prescription or note from a doctor or medical professional is required.

  Official source: hamilton.caDate modified August 12, 2026Checked November 11, 2026

• Listed in its own document

  Region of Peel: disability additional benefits

  • Lift
  • Sling

  Peel residents (Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon) who receive ODSP.

  The page names patient lifts and slings and bed rails among items to raise with an ODSP case manager. It says ODSP covers repairs and replacement of lifts and slings and that Ontario Works can cover the first cost. It does not name a mattress or a hospital bed.

  A referral from an occupational therapist or doctor goes in with the request form. The page says these items are a last resource, after other coverage has been used.

  Official source: peelregion.caChecked November 11, 2026

• Listed in its own document

  Easter Seals Ontario: Equipment Funding Program

  • Lift

  Children and youth under 19 in Ontario who have a permanent physical disability, use a primary mobility device and are registered with Easter Seals Ontario.

  The 2026 Approved Equipment List has ceiling track lifts (bedroom or bathroom only), “Porch Lifts/Portable Lifts” and transfer aids. It does not list a mattress or a hospital bed, and it says replacement slings are not funded.

  The application must be approved before the equipment is ordered; equipment already bought cannot be funded. A health professional must authorize the equipment.

  Official source: services.easterseals.orgRev. 04-30-2026Checked November 11, 2026

• Listed in its own document

  March of Dimes Canada: Ontario Home and Vehicle Modification Program

  • Lift

  Children and adults in Ontario whose disability restricts their mobility. The program’s detailed eligibility rules are on a page that is not in the library.

  The program’s devices and adaptations package lists “Floor patient lifts and Ceiling Track Lifts” as eligible. It lists “hospital beds and mattresses” as ineligible.

  An occupational therapist’s letter or form and a supplier’s quote are required. The program says it will not pay back any cost from before it gives its authorization.

  Official source: marchofdimes.ca2025 (from the file name; no date is printed on the document)Checked November 11, 2026

• Listed in its own document

  Spinal Cord Injury Ontario: Equipment for Independence

  • Pressure or therapeutic mattress

  People who need equipment they cannot afford. The charity’s pages do not say who qualifies, so ask.

  The charity’s page for this program gives “a pressure relieving mattress surface” as an example of the equipment it helps people get. It is an example on a fundraising page, not a list of what is eligible, and it does not say whether the surface is powered.

  Its Service Navigation Coordinators can help you access the equipment and financial support you may need.

  Official source: sciontario.orgChecked November 12, 2026

• Listed in its own document

  Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital: Family Support Fund

  Clients of Holland Bloorview, Toronto

  • Lift

  Children under 19 who receive clinical care or therapy through an OHIP-covered service at Holland Bloorview.

  Its list of eligible items, which it says is not complete, includes “Hospital mattresses” and “Lifts (electric and manual)”. It does not say what type of mattress. Families may request up to $1,500 for one piece of equipment billed on one invoice.

  Apply no more than six months before the item is needed, with a letter of support from the care team and a vendor’s cost estimate.

  Official source: hollandbloorview.caChecked November 12, 2026

• Listed in its own document

  Halton Region: Low-Income Financial Assistance

  Halton Region

  • Hospital bed
  • Lift

  Halton residents with low incomes. Eligibility differs by support.

  Its page says the Region may provide coverage for a hospital bed, including a bariatric bed, and for mechanical or ceiling lifts. It names no mattress or sling.

  Do not order or pay for anything before Halton Region staff approve it. An occupational therapist’s assessment and two cost estimates are needed.

  Official source: halton.caChecked November 12, 2026

• Listed in its own document

  Niagara Region: benefits to support health needs

  Niagara Region

  • Pressure or therapeutic mattress
  • Hospital bed

  Niagara residents receiving Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program.

  Its health benefits list names “Electric hospital beds” and “Pressure relief mattresses” for people confined to bed. It does not say what type of mattress, and it names no lift, sling or cushion.

  Niagara Region must approve the request before anything is bought.

  Official source: niagararegion.caChecked November 12, 2026

• Listed in its own document

  Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board: special services and items

  Manitoulin-Sudbury District

  • Hospital bed

  Ontario Works recipients in the district, in extraordinary circumstances.

  Its policy lets the Director approve items that include “electric beds” for persons confined to a bed. It names lifts only for batteries and repairs, and names no mattress.

  Official source: msdsb.netPolicy H.7B.19, effective March 1, 2022Checked November 12, 2026

• Listed in its own document

  Specialized Equipment Allocation: equipment for students

  • Lift

  Students with special education needs whose Individual Education Plan sets out the equipment. School boards buy it for use at school; families do not apply.

  The Ministry of Education’s directives allow ceiling lifts to be installed, as an exception. They describe eligible equipment by the student’s needs at school and name no mattress or positioning cushion.

  The equipment must be set out in the student’s Individual Education Plan. Ask the school.

  Official source: ontario.caDirectives for 2026–27Checked November 12, 2026

Private insurance in Ontario: see workplace and retiree plans, which also covers the insurers.

If a program is missing

This list is not complete. If a program is missing, ask your clinician or your local home and community care service which programs apply, and ask each one the same three questions.

Back to help paying for equipment, for the three questions, the question to copy and the worksheet.