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FMHC Direct Hire Cost Calculator
Not sure what wage you can afford to pay your employee?
This calculator shows your true hourly cost — including employer payroll costs — so you know if a wage fits within your FMHC funding.
Calculator Overview
If you're hiring a care worker as a direct employee under Family-Managed Home Care, the wage you advertise isn't the whole story. As the employer, you also cover the employer side of Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, and — if hours exceed 24 per week — WSIB premiums. All of those costs add up on top of the wage, and the total has to fit under the all-in hourly rate approved in your FMHC Schedule B — otherwise you will have to pay out of pocket.
This calculator does the math. Enter the hours, the wage you're considering, and a couple of details about the arrangement, and it shows you the true per-hour cost — and whether your offer fits within your approved rate. It also tells you the maximum sustainable wage if you want to back into it from the cap.
Most families underestimate the employer-side costs of direct hire. This tool helps you see whether a proposed wage actually fits within your FMHC funding before you commit.
The Calculator
Your FMHC Setup
The Wage You're Considering
WSIB
Ready to Calculate
Enter your Schedule B max, worker hours, and hourly wage to see if your offer fits within your approved rate.
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Schedule B Rate Check
Monthly Budget Check
Note: This difference cannot be used to exceed approved hours or reallocated freely. Both your hourly rate and approved service hours are fixed ceilings in Schedule B.
How the Calculation Works
What goes into the "true cost" of an employee
When you hire someone as a direct employee under FMHC, your monthly cost isn't just their wage. As the employer, you also pay:
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP) — employer contribution
Both employee and employer contribute 5.95% of pensionable earnings. Pensionable earnings are calculated as gross wages minus the basic exemption ($291.67 per month). - Employment Insurance (EI) — employer portion
Employee EI is 1.63% of gross wages. The employer pays 1.4× that amount, or roughly 2.28%. - WSIB premiums — if applicable
In Ontario, in-home domestic workers are exempt if they work under 24 hours per week. Above that threshold, WSIB premiums apply, typically around 1.05% of gross wages (varies by classification). - Vacation pay
Ontario requires at least 4% vacation pay. This can either be included in the hourly rate or paid out separately.
The "all-in rate" in your FMHC Schedule B is meant to cover all of these costs combined — wages plus employer payroll costs — divided by the service hours delivered.
Understanding Schedule B constraints
Your Schedule B sets two fixed ceilings: the maximum hourly rate AND the approved number of service hours per month. You cannot exceed the approved hours even if your rate is lower, and you cannot pay a higher rate even if you use fewer hours. There is no flexibility to trade off between rate and units.
If you offer a wage that pushes the per-hour cost over the Schedule B max, your monthly costs exceed your approved funding — the shortfall comes out of pocket. The calculator above lets you test different wages against your specific Schedule B before you make an offer.
It's also useful when a worker counters your initial offer — you can immediately see whether a higher wage still fits, or whether you need to negotiate other terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need help selecting the right wage?
Every FMHC setup is different. If you'd like a quick review of your calculation, we're here to help — no commitment required.
Tabber is an independent bookkeeping provider and is not affiliated with Ontario Health atHome. Program requirements can change and may vary by agreement. This calculator is for informational planning purposes only and is not legal, tax, payroll, or eligibility advice. CPP, EI, and WSIB rates are set annually and should be verified against current CRA, Service Canada, and WSIB publications before making employment decisions. For specific guidance on your situation, consult an appropriate qualified professional.