Ontario Disability Support Program
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Find information about income support, benefits for health costs and other disability supports from the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
Eligibility
When you apply for ODSP or are receiving income support through the program, you need to keep us up to date so we can make sure you remain eligible and are getting the right amount of money. This is important since your situation may change over time.
To qualify for ODSP income support, you must:
- be at least 18 years of age
- be an Ontario resident
- have assets no greater than the limits set out in the program
- be in financial need
- meet the program’s definition of a person with a disability or be a member of a prescribed class
Health and Disability Benefits
ODSP provides many health benefits and disability-related benefits. These benefits can help you with many different types of costs, including health, dental, vision, assistive devices, and other expenses related to disability or medical conditions.
Employment Supports
If you have a disability, there are many services available from ODSP employment support to help find a job or start your own business. You don’t have to be receiving income support from ODSP to qualify.
Through ODSP employment support, you will work with a community service provider to figure out what kinds of support you need to help you get and keep a job. For example, the support available includes:
- Help to prepare for work
- Help find a job that is right for you
- Help to keep a job
- Job Coaching
- On-the-job supports
- Help to move to the next level in your career
- Adaptative technology that can help you do your job (for example, accessibility software)
- Job accommodations and support
- Interpreter or intervenor services
- Assistive devices and training to use them (for example, mobility devices or visual hearing aids)
Income Support For You and Your Family
If you are eligible to receive ODSP income support, you will receive a monthly payment.
The amount you receive depends on your living situation.
If you rent or own your own home, your monthly payment will include two parts:
- Basic needs
- A shelter allowance
The amount you can receive for your ODSP income support is up to $1,308 a month and may be adjusted based on your situation. This income support is also adjusted in July each year, based on inflation.
Learn Your Rights and Responsibilities
When you apply for or receive income support from the ODSP, you have both rights and responsibilities.
Your family has responsibilities, too.
Your caseworker will explain these rights and responsibilities to you when you apply for income support.
You and any adult members of your family will be asked to sign the Rights and Responsibilities form to confirm that your caseworker explained your rights and responsibilities to you.
Working and Earning
If you are on ODSP and you want to work or start your own business, you and your family may continue to receive income support and benefits that make it easier to make the transition.
You can find details here on support for finding work and training, and how earning money affects income support from ODSP.
To learn more about the Ontario Disability Support Program, click here
Ontario Works
Find information about financial assistance, benefits, and employment assistance available through the Ontario Works program.
Eligibility
When you apply for Ontario Works or are receiving financial assistance through the program, you need to keep us up to date so we can make sure you remain eligible and are getting the right amount of financial assistance. This is important since your situation may change over time.
To qualify for Ontario Works financial assistance, you must:
- be at least 16 years of age
- be an Ontario resident
- have assets no greater than the limits set out in the program
- be in financial need
- participate in employment activities
To see if you are financially eligible, we will look at your circumstances including your income and assets, living expenses, family size, and make-up and shelter costs.
Health-Related Benefits
Ontario Works provides some benefits for health and other costs, depending on your circumstances such as prescription drug coverage, dental coverage, vision care, diabetic and surgical supplies, assistive devices, and more.
Financial Support For You and Your Family
If you are eligible to receive financial assistance from Ontario Works, you will receive a monthly payment. The amount you receive depends on your living situation.
If you rent or own your own home, your monthly payment will include two parts:
- basic needs
- shelter allowance
The amount you can receive for your financial assistance is $733 a month and may be adjusted based on your situation.
Learn Your Rights and Responsibilities
When you receive financial assistance from Ontario Works, you have both rights and responsibilities.
You and adult members of your family must agree to participate in activities that will help you find and maintain employment, meet with your caseworker, and provide information as required.
You also have a right to receive decisions in writing and to ask for an internal review if you disagree with a decision.
Working and Earning
To be eligible for Ontario Works, you and adult members of your family must take part in approved activities that will help you find and keep a job.
Together with your Ontario Works caseworker, you will develop an individual plan that is focused on improving your skills toward finding and keeping a job.
The plan is updated regularly when you complete activities or begin new ones.
As you search for work or start working you must report your earnings monthly, even if you don’t earn anything in a month.
To learn more about Ontario Works, click here