Social Assistance Information

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

General Description:

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) provides financial assistance to individuals and their families living with a disability that is expected to last 1 year or more. ODSP like OW requires households to be financially evaluated to determine eligibility. Therefore, if you have another source of income you may not qualify. Applicants are to demonstrate that their budgetary resources exceed their financial requirements. In addition, ODSP also provides prescription drug coverage, other health related benefits.

Overview:

ODSP provides financial supports and employment support. These include:

1. Training for new skills and/or upgrading
2. Continued benefits while receiving student loans to attend College/University
3. Special incentive calculations for earned income

* Participation in the ODSP-Employment Support Program is voluntary

The financial assistance a household receives is based on 2 factors: a basic allowance and shelter allowance. Like OW, ODSP considers any special financial requirements that may be in addition to your basic requirements (special diets is an example of this).

Other potential benefits include:

1. Monthly financial assistance
2. Ontario Drug Benefits card – this covers medications listed in the Ontario Drug Benefits formulary
3. Basic dental care
4. Vision care
5. Hearing aids (75% covered by ADP and remaining 25% covered by the City of Toronto) – any low-income resident of Toronto can apply for this
6. Medical transportation
7. Assistive Devices Program
8. Back to school allowance for dependent children
9. Community Start-Up benefits for those leaving an institution or setting up their home
10. Special diet costs (only if you are eligible after applying)

The Application Process:

A household applying to ODSP must be:

1. Between the ages of 18-65
2. Have legal status in Canada
3. Able to provide all the necessary documentation and applicant information

You may be eligible if you:

1. Have a substantial physical or mental impairment that is expected to last more than 1 year
2. Have restrictions in your daily activities (personal care, functioning in the community or workplace)
3. Demonstrate financial need with your budgetary costs

In order to qualify for ODSP, applicants must verify their financial need through a financial intake at their local ODSP office. Applicants must also complete the “Disability Determination Package”. This information needs to be certified and adjudicated by certified staff at the Disability Adjudication Unit in Toronto. Once this is done, the applicant is granted ODSP Income Supports. If an applicant is not granted, an appeal can be made before the Social Benefits Tribunal. A very high percentage of ODSP applicants are deemed ineligible on their first application, but all applicants have a right to appeal this decision.

The Disability Determination package or application for Ontario Disability Support Program contains:

1. Health Status Report (HSR) and Activities of Daily Living Index (ADL)
2. Consent to the Release of Medical Information (CRMI)
3. Consent to the Disclosure, Transmittal or examination of a Clinical Record under subsection 35(3) of the Mental Health Act
4. Self Report (SR)
5. The original Health Status Report and Activities of Daily Living Index form must be submitted. Photocopies will not be accepted.

ODSP will review your past income and your assets. Liquid assets include savings, stocks, bonds, RRSPs, investments and some assets that can be readily converted into cash.
Assets that are exempt include:

1. One principal residence
2. One vehicle
3. Prepaid funeral
4. Awards for pain and suffering up to $100,000
5. Trust fund derived from an inheritance or a life insurance policy up to $100,000
6. Cash surrender value of a life insurance policy up to $100,000

* The combined total of the trust and cash surrender value of a policy cannot exceed the $100,000 asset limit.

Questions that you should expect to be asked about include:

1. Your last source of income (when and how much)
2. Eligibility for other income programs
3. Liquid and acquired assets
4. Marital status and family composition
5. Rent/housing charges/mortgage/utilities/Condo fees/property taxes
6. Status in Canada
7. Debts and monies owed to you

How to Apply for ODSP

Applications for ODSP are available at your local ODSP office. If you are presently a recipient of OW, you can request an application package through your OW caseworker. Individuals are required to provide proof and documentation to support their application. This includes:

1. Identification
2. Proof and value of all liquid and acquired assets
3. All housing related expenses
4. All documentation related to any other sources of income
5. Family composition and proof of attendance in school for dependent children

The Disability Determination Package will be given at that time and should be completed and returned to the Disability Adjudication Unit within 3 months. Once this has been certified, the ODSP worker will re-review your financial situation, and grant your monthly entitlement.

It takes a minimum of 6 months for the entire process of application and granting of ODSP. The amount of time also depends on:

1. Thoroughness of completed medical forms
2. Completion of a financial intake including the timely return of supporting documentation and verification of assets and needs
3. Government processing

Also, those who are currently receiving a Canada Pension Plan, Disability Benefits will be “fast tracked” onto ODSP. Only the difference between the full ODSP entitlement and the amount you get from CPP-D payment will be paid by ODSP.

Once you have been approved to receive ODSP, your monthly cheque will be mailed/picked up/directly deposited into your account at the end of each month. You will also receive your Drug Benefits and Dental card with each monthly payment.

Responsibilities:

If your regain full health and if you return to work or acquire a new source of income, you must inform OSPD right away. If your income exceeds your monthly benefit entitlement you will stop receiving your monthly entitlements, but may still be eligible for drug coverage if you can prove that you have very high monthly medication costs.

It is your responsibility to report any changes in your circumstances to ODSP.

FAQ:

Q: What is ODSP Income Support?
A: ODSP Income Support is a program that provides financial assistance to those who have long-term disabilities.

Q: What is ODSP Employment Support?
A: ODSP Employment Support is a voluntary program that helps to support individuals with disabilities prepare for, find, and maintain work.

Q: How do I qualify?
A: You are eligible for ODSP Employment Supports if you have a physical or mental disability that is expected to last more than a year, and if your disability makes it hard for you to find and/or keep a job. You must also be willing and able to work, live in Ontario, able to work in Canada, and at least 16 years of age or older. For those who are participating in Ontario Works, they are not eligible for ODSP Employment Supports because they are already receiving employment assistance from Ontario Works.

Q: I’m HIV+ but my health is okay. Do I qualify for ODSP based on my HIV status?
A: Yes, any person who has been diagnosed with HIV+ and has confirming blood tests is considered to have a substantial disability and is medically eligible.

Q: I’m on Employment Insurance. Can I still apply for ODSP?
A: If you feel that you qualify for ODSP, you can apply for it. You can receive Employment Insurance payments while waiting for your ODSP to be approved. However, since EI benefits are larger than ODSP benefits, you wouldn’t start receiving benefits until your EI benefits run out, unless your EI benefits is less than what ODSP would pay you. If you are approved for ODSP while receiving EI benefits, you will have to report the EI benefits as income.

Q: I’m not sure how long I’ll be sick. Should I still apply for ODSP?
A: If you aren’t sure, then it is still a good idea to apply because if you get approved and you don’t need it, you can turn it down. If your health changes later on, you’d be “fast-tracked” for benefits.

Q: Is there a way to get extra money from ODSP?
A: Yes. If you are receiving the basic entitlement from ODSP you may be eligible for additional monthly benefits. ODSP is pretty much approving everyone with HIV infection for some amount of the nutrition benefit. Ask your worker for a Special Diets Application Form, have your doctor complete it and submit it. You can receive up to $240 extra per month.

Resource
Link to Ontario Governament ODSP FAQ

Acknowledgement

Prepared by: Liza Ng, 3rd Year Ryerson University Nursing Student

Project Partners
Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS)
Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention (ASAAP)

Project Advisory Committee Members
Andrea Sharp, Social Worker from Toronto General Hospital
Catherine Allan, HIV/AIDS Legal Clinic of Ontario (HALCO)
Jane Ballantyne, Case Worker from Ontario Works (OW)
Rounak Khan, Support Worker, Alliance for South-Asian AIDS Prevention (ASAP)

If you require any addition information or have any further questions please contact the Support Program Coordinator/Counsellor Patrick Truong at ACAS: (416) 963-4300 x 22 or at support@acas.org