The Leisure Access funding year runs from November 1 to October 31 the following year. The last day to use 2026 Leisure Access funds is October 31, 2026.
Leisure Access (fee assistance)
If program fees are preventing you, or a member of your family, from joining a city or neighbourhood association program, you could qualify for a yearly amount of $400 per person in Leisure Access fee assistance.
On this page:
- Find out if you qualify
- What you need to apply
- Apply
- After you apply
- Using your funds
- Free week of summer camp
- Frequently asked questions
- Additional funding opportunities
Find out if you qualify
You may qualify for Leisure Access if you are a resident of Kitchener and your total household income (before taxes) is at or below the 2026 Leisure Access Annual Household Income Eligibility. We determine eligibility by adding 30% to the Low Income Cut Off (LICO) line set by Statistics Canada (2023).
The maximum family income depends on the number of family members. Family income cut-off levels are:
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family of one: $34,177
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family of two: $42,545
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family of three: $52,304
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family of four: $63,506
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family of five: $72,025
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family of six: $81,234
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family of seven or more: $90,442
Source: Statistics Canada low income cut-offs (LICOs)
If you have any questions:
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call 519-741-2892
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book an appointment at City Hall for in-person support
What you need to apply
To apply for Leisure Access, you need:
- completed application
- proof of income for all adults (18 years and older) in your household (see accepted documents)
- proof of address, if not included in proof of income document (see accepted documents)
People who have arrived in Canada as a refugee or a qualifying newcomer are eligible to apply for Leisure Access within the first year (365 days) of receiving documentation that shows immigration status. In these circumstances, proof of income is not required, but proof of arrival to Canada is. Examples of accepted documents are:
- Confirmation of Permanent Residency (issued within one year)
- Refugee Protection Claimant Documentation (issued within one year)
- a document issued under a special program of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRC) such as a visa issued under Canada-Ukraine
- Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) (issued within one year)
Accepted forms of proof of income
- government-issued Notice of Assessment for the most recent year showing your name and line 15000 (if you need a new copy, call the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-8281 to request one)
- Ontario Works (OW) statement including address and Ontario Works eligibility card
- Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) statement (include address portion)
- proof of additional income not accounted for on Notice of Assessment like child support
Accepted forms of proof of address
- hydro bill
- driver's licence
- Ontario photo card
- lease agreement
Apply
You can apply for Leisure Access:
Leisure Access must be renewed annually (application for the following year are made available in October).
If you have any questions, send us an email.
Online
To apply online, you will need:
- an email address
- PDF or image files of the required documents (we accept clear smartphone images of documents)
In person
Paper application forms are available at any of our community centres, pools, arenas, the Kitchener Market or City Hall.
You can drop off your completed application and required documents at City Hall (book an appointment to plan your visit) or any community centre or pool.
After you apply
Within two weeks of your application, we’ll send you an email (or a letter, if you don't have an email address) to let you know whether we've approved your application and to list your next steps.
If your application is approved, we will set up an ActiveNet account for you (if one doesn’t exist) and add Leisure Access credits for the people listed on the application. Each person will receive $400 per year for city-run programs. We will send you more information about using your credits (including which programs qualify and how to use the funds).
If your application is declined, we will let you know why and, if applicable, any steps you can take to apply successfully.
Staff may make exceptions, on a case-by-case basis, to accommodate individual Leisure Access requests in unique circumstances.
Using your funds
Visit our using your Leisure Access funds page to find:
- how to use your funds
- our funding year
- how to login to ActiveNet
- how to check your Leisure Access balance
Free week of summer camp
This offer applies to city-run camps, including neighbourhood, inclusion, and aquatic camps. Learn more about summer camps on our summer programs page.
A child or young person in your household may be eligible to receive one free week of camp if they are:
- approved for Leisure Access for the current year, AND
- registered for at least two weeks of summer camps
The free week of camp will be of equal or lesser value than the cost of the paid week(s) of camp.
Submitting a request does not guarantee approval for one free week. You will receive an email confirming approval and a receipt showing the updated transaction details.
The request form for summer 2026 will be available from June 16 to August 31, 2026.
What is the deadline for using Leisure Access funds?
Can I carry over credit to next year?
If you have unused funds at the end of your enrolment period, you cannot:
- carry them over to the next year
- transfer them to another person or family member
- redeem them for cash
Do I need to apply again next year?
You must reapply for Leisure Access each year. Applications for the following year are made available in October.
What can I pay for with my Leisure Access credit?
You can use your Leisure Access credit to pay for city-run or neighbourhood association programs.
Visit our Using Your Leisure Access Funds page to learn more.
Can I use my Leisure Access credit to pay for neighbourhood association programs?
Yes. You can use Leisure Access funds to pay for neighbourhood association programs and city-run programs. Contact your local community centre for more information.
Additional funding opportunities
KidSport
KidSport provides grants to help cover registration and equipment fees, so that all kids aged 18 and under in Kitchener-Waterloo can participate in eligible dance or sport programs of their choice. Find out more on the KidSport website.
House of Friendship
The House of Friendship's Family Outreach Program is a neighbourhood-based program funded by the Region of Waterloo that works with families with children aged 17 and under to prevent and reduce the effects of poverty. To connect with your Family Outreach Worker, visit the House of Friendship website.
Contact Us
City of Kitchener
200 King Street West,
Kitchener, Ontario
N2G 4G7
Telephone: 519-741-2345
TTY: 1-866-969-9994
Email: info@kitchener.ca