For Ontarians who have a disability, ODSP benefits can provide much-needed financial relief and support.
ODSP is the Ontario Disability Support Program, a government program that provides a long list of benefits and supports for Ontarians with disabilities. If you fall into this category and meet the eligibility requirements, you can receive financial assistance for your mortgage payments, funding to help purchase mobility equipment, one-on-one job coaching, and a whole lot more.
Because ODSP benefits are so many and vary so much, it can be difficult to keep track of and understand everything that’s available.
Here, we’ve outlined all the necessary information you need in order to take advantage of these benefits. So let’s dig in and figure out how ODSP benefits can work for you.
What is ODSP?
ODSP stands for the Ontario Disability Support Program, an Ontario government program administered by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
On top of the ODSP income support program, you could also be eligible for several other benefits and supports from Ontario.
These ODSP benefits can be grouped into 5 main categories:
- health and disability benefits,
- employment incentives and benefits,
- housing-related benefits,
- transition child benefit, and
- income assistance.
We’ll look at the income assistance benefits later, but let’s look at the other 4 here.
ODSP health and disability benefits
First, let’s look at the health benefits provided by ODSP. These include:
| Benefit/coverage type | Details |
|---|---|
| Prescription drugs | Pays for approved drugs prescribed by a health care provider |
| Dental care | Free dental care for children under age 17, basic dental care for adults |
| Medical supplies | Such as diabetes supplies and supplies required for surgery |
| Vision care | Routine eye exams and assistance with cost of prescription eyeglasses |
| Medical transportation | Pays for transportation to medical procedures |
| Nutritional allowance | Support for pregnant or breastfeeding women, up to $50 per month |
| Extended health | Health care coverage only, no income support |
| Transitional health | Covers medical expenses temporarily when leaving the ODSP program |
| Assistive devices | Covers the cost of many various assistive devices, like hearing aids, teletypewriters, etc. |
| Hearing care | Covers the cost of buying and repairing hearing aids and alert systems, replacing required batteries, etc. |
| Mobility device care | Covers the costs of batteries and repairs for mobility devices like electric wheelchairs, lifts, etc. |
| Special diet allowance | Helps with the costs involved in special diets for medical conditions |
| Guide dog benefit | Provides funds to help cover costs associated with caring for a guide dog |
As you can see, there’s quite a range of health-related benefits available through ODSP.
ODSP employment incentives and benefits
You could also qualify for employment incentives and benefits. There are several different ways that ODSP can help provide employment support, including assistance with:
- finding a job,
- keeping a job,
- on-the-job support,
- career advancement,
- obtaining assistive devices (and training to use them), and
- interpreter and/or intervenor services.
Aside from these and other types of support for those looking for work, ODSP benefits also include assistance for those hoping to start their own business. This can include help with:
- developing and implementing a business plan,
- money management training,
- training for budgeting and record keeping,
- marketing the business, and
- getting work-related disability supports (devices, interpretive services, etc.)
Housing-related ODSP benefits
You could also qualify for housing-related benefits, which is also called the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB).
The COHB is specifically for those on (or eligible to be on) the province’s waiting list for “Rent Geared-to-Income” subsidized housing. It pays the difference between 30% of your household’s income and the average price for a rental unit in your area.
If you happen to receive social assistance, the COHB can still help. In this case it will provide the difference between the shelter allowance and the cost of your rent plus utilities.
The City of Toronto’s website contains more detailed information on the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit.
ODSP Transition Child Benefit
Finally, the Transition Child Benefit is also available, which is an automatic top up to the Ontario Child Benefit or the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS), under certain circumstances.
After you apply for ODSP, your caseworker can explain these benefits in more detail, or you can phone your local ODSP office with any questions.
Eligibility and applying for ODSP benefits
As with most government programs, there are detailed guidelines for those applying for ODSP benefits, including information on who’s actually eligible.
ODSP eligibility
To be eligible for the ODSP, you must meet all 4 of these requirements:
- You are a resident of Ontario
- You are 18 years of age or older
- You have “financial need” as determined by a caseworker after you apply
- You are either a “person with a disability” or a member of a “prescribed class”
For more information, see Ontario Disability Support Program eligibility for income support.
How to apply for ODSP
The application process for ODSP may seem complicated, so let’s break it down into steps.
Remember, ODSP benefits are for low income Ontarians with a disability – so you need to prove you have low income, reside in Ontario, and have a disability.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Have your personal and financial information handy. Here’s a list of what paperwork you might need. |
| Step 2 | Fill in the application form. This is most easily done online, but you do have the option for calling on the phone or meeting in person. On the form, you can provide banking information for direct deposit of your payment. |
| Step 3 | A caseworker will contact you to set up a meeting. You should bring any relevant documents to the meeting. You will also be asked to sign a lot of consent forms. |
| Step 4 | Within 15 business days of your meeting, a decision will be reached as to whether or not you are financially eligible for ODSP. |
| Step 5 | If you are financially eligible for ODSP, you will then have to prove that you have a disability (unless you are a member of a prescribed class). To do this, you need to have a health professional (doctor, nurse, etc.) complete 2 forms – the Health Status Report and the Activities of Daily Living Index. |
| Step 6 | You sign another consent form, then send the paperwork (the “Disability Determination Package”) to the government in the envelope provided to you by your caseworker. |
| Step 7 | A decision will be made on whether your disability is eligible for ODSP, usually within 10 business days. |
These may seem like a lot of steps, but you can contact your caseworker or local ODSP office for more assistance if needed.
Want more money-saving tips for living with a disability? Check out our list of resources here.
ODSP payment dates 2023
ODSP payments are sent out on the last business day of each month.
The exception is the December ODSP payment date, which is usually before the last day of the month. The exact date for December 2023 has not yet been decided, but it was December 30th in 2022.
To find out when your monthly payment will arrive, see our list of ODSP payment dates.
Receiving your ODSP payments
The quickest and best way to receive ODSP payments is by direct deposit to a bank account.
If you don’t have a bank account, your caseworker can set you up with a reloadable payment card. Your ODSP payment would be deposited to the card each month and it could then be used for purchases and cash withdrawals. Another option is to open a new chequing account (here’s our list of the best chequing accounts in Canada to help out).
The 3rd and least desirable option would be to have a cheque for your ODSP payment mailed to you.
If you have problems with your payment, you can contact the ODSP office in your region on their toll free phone line.
ODSP benefits payment amounts
The monthly amount of ODSP payable for “basic needs” is based on the number of people in your family, their ages, and their disability status. This does not include any additional benefits you may be eligible for.
Here are some examples:
| Number of dependents not including spouse | Dependents aged 18+ not including spouse | Dependents under 18 not including spouse | Amount if no spouse | Amount if there is a spouse | Amount if spouse has a disability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | $706 | $1,018 | $1,409 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | $849 | $1,018 | $1,409 |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | $1,094 | $1,216 | $1,607 |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | $849 | $1,018 | $1,409 |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | $1,094 | $1,216 | $1,607 |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | $1,293 | $1,437 | $1,828 |
So a family with 2 spouses and 2 dependents, one over 18 and one under 18, would get a basic needs amount of $1,216, or $1,607 if the spouse has a disability.
There’s also an additional amount payable to ODSP recipients in Northern Ontario, if they live above the 50th parallel and do not have year-round road access.
In general, there’s no additional payment for children 17 and under, except for a $143 single parent supplement.
You can find more information on the Ontario government’s social assistance page, or you can check with your caseworker.
How to make the most of your ODSP payments
Once you start receiving ODSP benefits, you’ll want to have a plan for where the money will go.
Here are some ideas.
Put it in a chequing account that works for you
When you apply for ODSP, you can ask to have your payments deposited directly into your bank account. Once you get it set up, it’s a hassle to get it changed though.
So first you’ll want to make sure you have the right bank account for your needs and lifestyle.
If you prefer sticking with the biggest banks in Canada, which you’re likely familiar with, then be prepared to pay a fee unless you meet their high minimum balance requirements.
An example is the different Scotiabank chequing accounts.
The least expensive one is the Scotiabank Basic Bank Account, which gives you 12 free withdrawals for $3.95 a month. A more expensive option is the Scotiabank Ultimate Package, which has unlimited free transactions, but costs $30.95 a month (unless you keep $5,000 in your account).
As you can see, there’s quite a range of availability here. You can learn more about Scotiabank chequing accounts here:
Want to avoid paying a fee for your chequing account, no matter your balance? Here’s our comparison of the best free chequing accounts in Canada.
Deposit into a high interest savings account
If you have extra money left over from your ODSP payment, you might want to consider putting it into a high interest savings account. That way you can earn a bit of interest in the meantime, but still keep your money easily accessible for when you need it.
EQ Bank Personal Account is one of the best accounts out there. It currently pays up to 2.75% with no fees for everyday banking, and no minimum balance required.
You can learn more here:
If you’re looking for a simple place to stash some extra cash and earn a higher-than-average interest rate, EQ Bank Personal Account may be exactly what you’re looking for. It does have a few other features, including the ability to easily send International Money Transfers, but otherwise it’s mostly geared to earning you interest.
- High daily interest rate
- Easy access to all other EQ Bank products
- Less expensive international money transfers
- Zero everyday banking fees
- Free Interac e-Transfers, electronic funds transfers, and bill payments
- No minimum balance
- No welcome bonus
- Age of majority
- Canadian citizen
- Very high interest rate
- Includes a prepaid cash back Mastercard
- No ATM fees, plus reimbursement for any independent fees
What will you do with your ODSP benefits?
If you’re thinking about applying for ODSP, what are your biggest questions?
And if you’re already receiving the benefits from the program, what do you think of it?
Let us know in the comments below.
FAQ
What are the ODSP payment dates for 2023?
ODSP payments are made on the last business day of the month. The December payment date hasn’t yet been decided. Last year, it was made on December 30th, but that doesn’t mean it will be the same in 2023.
Who qualifies for ODSP?
The ODSP program provides help to low income Ontario residents with disabilities. It covers a wide variety of expenses, including basic needs, shelter, medical expenses, expenses related to employment and more.
How much does ODSP pay per month?
There’s no simple answer to that, since it depends on a lot of different factors. Your family situation, income, and expenses (including shelter, medical and disability-related expenses) will all be taken into account. Your caseworker can provide more information, after you apply.
How do I apply for ODSP?
The application process might seem daunting when you read the ODSP website. We have broken it down into simple steps in our guide right here.
What kind of benefits does ODSP have?
ODSP provides a monthly payment to cover living expenses. But besides financial support, the ODSP program helps you with employment advice and more, to help you live with your disability.
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