The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is a means-tested income support program designed for people with disabilities in the province. It aims to provide financial assistance and other benefits to eligible individuals facing substantial physical or mental impairments that significantly impact their daily lives and ability to work.
ODSP is funded by the provincial government and administered through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much income does ODSP provide?
- When are ODSP payments issued?
- Can ODSP payment dates be changed?
- Can ODSP recipients be eligible for loans?
- What are other provisions of ODSP?
- Who is eligible for ODSP?
- What are prescribed classes for ODSP?
- How to apply for ODSP?
How much income does ODSP provide?
ODSP provides monthly income support payments to eligible individuals with disabilities. The maximum amount a single person can receive from ODSP is $1,308 per month.The ODSP payment consists of two components:
- Basic Needs Allowance: For a single person, the maximum basic needs allowance is $672 per month. This portion is intended to cover expenses like food, clothing, and other personal items.
- Shelter Allowance: For a single person, the maximum shelter allowance is $636 per month. This portion is meant to cover housing costs like rent, utilities, property taxes, etc.
Therefore, the total maximum ODSP payment of $1,308 per month for a single person is the sum of the basic needs ($672) and shelter allowance ($636) amounts.
It’s important to note that the actual ODSP payment amount can vary based on factors such as:
- Family size (higher amounts for couples and families with children)
- Living situation (e.g., living with family may result in a lower “board and lodge” rate)
- Other income sources (ODSP payments are reduced if the recipient has employment income or other benefits)
The ODSP payment rates are reviewed and adjusted annually, with the most recent 6.5% increase effective July 2023 to account for inflation.
When are ODSP payments issued?
For most months of the year, ODSP payments are issued on the last business day of the month. This means if the last day of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment will be made on the preceding business day. For example, if the last business day of April is the 30th, ODSP recipients would receive their payment on April 30th.
However, there is an exception for the month of December. ODSP payments for the December benefit month are typically issued a few days earlier than the last business day. This is done to ensure recipients receive their payments before the end-of-year holidays. The exact date can vary year-to-year, but it is generally around the third or fourth week of December.
It is important for ODSP recipients to be aware of these monthly payment schedules to properly budget and plan for receiving their income support. The payment dates are essentially set in a staggered pattern over the last few business days of each month, based on the last digit of the recipient’s file number.
ODSP provides this schedule of payment dates well in advance to allow recipients to mark their calendars accordingly. Any changes or deviations from the regular schedule, such as for the December payment, are also communicated clearly to ensure recipients know exactly when to expect their monthly payment.
Can ODSP payment dates be changed?
ODSP payment dates can be adjusted for special circumstances in certain situations. Typically, ODSP payments are issued on a staggered schedule over the last 5 business days of each month, based on the last digit of the recipient’s file number. However, if the scheduled payment date falls on a weekend or holiday, payments are issued on the preceding business day. This indicates that ODSP has some flexibility to adjust payment dates when the regular schedule conflicts with non-business days like weekends and holidays.
If you need to request a change to your ODSP payment date due to special circumstances, the first step would be to contact your local ODSP office. You could call or visit them in person and explain your situation and need for an adjusted payment date. They may have an established process or form for you to submit such a request officially. Your designated ODSP case worker, if you have one assigned, would also be able to guide you through the proper channels for this type of request or escalate it as needed.
While not explicitly stated, the ODSP program likely has documented policies and procedures that cover situations where payment date adjustments are permitted for recipients. Reviewing these could provide clarity on the specific process you need to follow and the types of circumstances that may qualify for an adjusted payment schedule. In general, any request of this nature would need to demonstrate exceptional circumstances that make receiving payments on the regular schedule difficult or impossible for you. Be prepared to explain and document the reasons behind your request.
Can ODSP recipients be eligible for loans?
ODSP recipients who are attending post-secondary education or training programs can be eligible for student loans, such as OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program) and Canada Student Loans. When applying for OSAP, ODSP recipients must indicate that they will be receiving ODSP benefits during their study period. Their ODSP income is used solely for verification purposes by OSAP. Any OSAP loans, grants, bursaries, and awards received by ODSP recipients for direct educational expenses like tuition, books, transportation, etc., are exempt as income and assets under ODSP rules.
Another type of loan that ODSP recipients can access is payday loans or cash loans. Many payday loan lenders in Canada recognize ODSP benefits as a legitimate source of income and offer loan products designed for ODSP recipients. These loans are meant to provide quick financial assistance with minimal requirements and more flexible credit assessments compared to traditional loans from banks. Some lenders allow ODSP recipients to apply online for payday loans up to $1,500 with fast approval decisions.
Please note that payday loans should be used with extreme caution as they can quickly lead to a cycle of debt that is difficult to escape. The high interest rates and short repayment periods make them very costly forms of credit.
What are other provisions of ODSP?
Other provisions of ODSP are often described as “hidden benefits”. In addition to the income support, which is more popularly known, ODSP also provides health benefits, and employment support.
Health Benefits
In addition to the monthly income support payment, ODSP recipients are eligible for a range of health benefits, including:
- Prescription drug coverage
- Dental services
- Vision care (eye exams, glasses)
- Assistive devices (e.g. wheelchairs, hearing aids)
- Medical transportation
These health-related benefits can provide significant financial assistance for disability-related costs not covered by other public plans.
Special Diet Allowance
ODSP provides a Special Diet Allowance for recipients who have an approved medical condition requiring a specialized diet due to their disability. This can help offset the higher costs associated with special dietary needs.
Employment Support
While the search results note some deficiencies, ODSP does offer voluntary employment assistance to help recipients find jobs, keep working, advance their careers, and access training opportunities. These supports can facilitate greater financial independence.
Other Benefits and Expenses
ODSP may cover other disability-related costs like:
- Moving expenses
- Travel and transportation costs
- Service animal expenses
- Vocational training and education expenses
These additional benefits, while not necessarily “hidden”, can provide substantial financial relief for disability-related needs beyond just the basic income support payment amount.
Who is eligible for ODSP?
ODSP has specific eligibility criteria that individuals must meet to qualify for income support and employment supports. Here are the key eligibility requirements explained in paragraphs:
To be eligible for ODSP income support, an individual must be at least 18 years old, be a resident of Ontario, and be in financial need. Financial need is determined by assessing if the household’s basic living expenses exceed their income and assets. An ODSP caseworker will examine documents related to housing costs, income sources, and asset values to make this determination.
Additionally, the individual must meet ODSP’s definition of a person with a disability. This means having a substantial physical or mental impairment that is continuous or recurrent, expected to last one year or more, and directly results in a substantial restriction in the ability to work, care for themselves, or participate in community life. The impairment, its duration, and restrictions must be verified by an approved healthcare professional.
Alternatively, an individual may qualify for ODSP income support if they belong to a prescribed class.
For ODSP employment supports, the eligibility criteria are slightly different. An individual must have a physical or mental disability/impairment that is continuous or recurrent, expected to last one year or more, and results in substantial barriers to employment. This must be verified by a prescribed professional. The individual must also be 16 years of age or older, a resident of Ontario, and legally entitled to work in Canada.
What are prescribed classes for ODSP?
Members of prescribed classes are automatically considered eligible for ODSP income support — without undergoing the full disability determination process — because their disability status has already been established through other programs or living situations.
Prescribed classes include:
- People aged 65 or older who are not eligible for Old Age Security (OAS)
- Recipients of Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D) benefits or Quebec Pension Plan Disability benefits
- Residents or former residents of homes under the Community Homes for Opportunity program
- Persons currently or formerly residing in certain psychiatric facilities like Provincial Psychiatric Hospitals, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, or Homewood Health Centre
- Former recipients (or their spouses) of benefits under specific case classes of the Family Benefits Act, 1992 as of May 31, 1998
- Recipients of awards under the English and Wabigoon River Systems Mercury Contamination Settlement Agreement Act, 1986
- Former residents of Schedule 1 facilities under the former Developmental Services Act (DSA) who left on or after June 1, 1998, such as Huronia Regional Centre, Rideau Regional Centre, and Southwestern Regional Centre
- Individuals already determined eligible for services and funding under the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008
- Current or former residents (after January 1, 2018) of homes under the Homes for Special Care Act
How to apply for ODSP?
The first step in applying for ODSP is to contact your local ODSP office and request an application package called the Disability Determination Package (DDP). You can find your nearest office location on the ODSP website or by calling them directly. Once you have the DDP, you will need to complete the application forms it contains, including a Consent Form and a Self-Report about your condition and how it impacts your daily life activities.
In addition to the forms you fill out yourself, your healthcare professional(s) must complete certain sections of the DDP. This includes a Health Status Report and an Activities of Daily Living form, where they should provide detailed information about your disability, restrictions, treatment needs, and required supports. It’s crucial that your medical providers thoroughly document your condition and limitations.
You will also need to gather various supporting documents to submit along with the DDP, such as your Social Insurance Number (SIN), Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card, birth certificate or immigration documents, recent income tax returns, and banking information. Having all of these documents ready will help facilitate a smooth application process.
Once you have completed all sections of the DDP and compiled the necessary documentation, you must submit the entire package to the Disability Adjudication Unit (DAU) within 90 days. The DAU is responsible for reviewing your medical information to determine if you meet ODSP’s definition of a person with a disability.
The DAU will mail you their decision after assessing your application. If approved medically, your local ODSP office will then evaluate your financial eligibility based on your household’s income, assets, and allowable expenses. However, if your medical eligibility is denied by the DAU, you can request an Internal Review within 30 days, and if denied again after that, you have the option to appeal the decision to the Social Benefits Tribunal.