Ontario Disability Support Program
Website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-disability-support-program
About This Program:
ODSP offers:
- money to help you and your eligible family members with living expenses, including food, and rent
- health benefits, including prescription drugs and vision care
- employment support to help you find and keep a job or advance your career
If you are eligible for ODSP, the amount of money you get will depend on your specific situation.
You could receive up to $1,368 a month for basic needs and shelter if you are single.
You may receive more than this for:
- benefits (for example, you might get additional money for transportation to medical appointments)
- other immediate family members (for example, if you have a spouse or child you will receive a larger amount)
The amount you get will depend on your specific situation.
Learn about income support, benefits for health costs and other disability supports from ODSP.
Eligibility: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-disability-support-program-eligibility-income-support
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
To be eligible for ODSP as a person with disability you must meet the definition of disability under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act.
Being a person with a disability means:.
- you have a substantial mental or physical impairment that is continuous or recurrent, and is expected to last one year or more
- the direct and cumulative effect of your impairment results in a substantial restriction in your ability to work, care for yourself, or take part in community life
- your impairment, its likely duration and restrictions have been verified by an approved health care professional
When you apply for ODSP, your caseworker will give you a Disability Determination Package for you and your health care professional(s) to complete.
How to Apply/Application:
You can apply for ODSP:
- online: Follow the steps below to apply for ODSP online. The application takes 20 to 30 minutes. Submit one application for you and your immediate family members who live with you.
- over the phone by contacting the Social Assistance Contact Centre Toll-free: 1-888-999-1142 or Toll-free TTY: 1-800-387-5559.
- in-person by booking an appointment through your local ODSP office.
The application process may take a few months.
If you do not have enough money to support yourself and your family while we review your application, you can apply to Ontario Works and ODSP at the same time online.
Your eligibility for Ontario Works will be assessed first, and if you are eligible, you can receive financial assistance from Ontario Works while we assess your application for ODSP.
Contact Information:
If you need help completing your application or have questions, call our Social Assistance Contact Centre Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (ET).
OSAP for under-represented learners
Website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/osap-for-under-represented-learners#section-3
About This Program:
If you’re a student with specific needs, you may be eligible for additional funds – from OSAP or other sources – to help pay for your postsecondary education
Students with disabilities
If you have a permanent disability or a persistent or prolonged disability, you could be eligible for full-time OSAP funding if you’re taking 40% or more of a full course load.
You must self-identify as having a disability when applying for OSAP to be considered for this benefit.
Additional aid
You can get additional aid to help pay for disability-related educational services and equipment. Through one application, you can be considered for the:
- Bursary for Students with Disabilities (Application available Summer 2024)
- 2023–2024 academic year: Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities. (Download PDF 1MB)
- 2024–2025 academic year: Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment – Students with Disabilities (Application available Summer 2024)
You can also get specialized help if you are having trouble repaying a student loan. Learn more: Severe Permanent Disability Benefit
How to Apply/Application:
Log in or register for applications: https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPSecurityWeb/public/login.xhtml?lang=en
Contact Information: https://www.ontario.ca/feedback/contact-us?id=89727&nid=7552
Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program
Website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/assistance-children-severe-disabilities-program#section-1
About This Program:
If you are a parent or guardian who is caring for a child with a severe disability you may be able to get financial support through ACSD. This program provides financial support for eligible families to cover some of the extra costs of caring for a child who has a severe disability. Eligible parents and guardians can receive between $25 and $646 a month to help with disability-related costs.
Eligibility
If you are a parent or a guardian of a child who is under 18 years of age (17 and under), lives at home and who has a severe disability, you may be eligible to receive funding from the ACSDprogram. Your eligibility and the amount of assistance you receive is based on a combination of factors.
Income eligibility
You may be eligible if your total household income is $76,200 or less. You must also meet other factors of eligibility.
Other factors for eligibility
Along with your household income, your eligibility and the amount you receive from the program is based on the:
- size of your family
- severity of your child’s disability
- extraordinary costs related to your child’s disability
Financial support for disability-related costs
Depending on your household income, the size of your family and your child’s disability-related costs, the ACSD program may provide between $25 and $646 a month to help with costs such as:
- travel to doctors’ appointments, hospitals and other appointments related to the child’s disability
- special shoes and clothes
- parental relief such as respite
In addition to getting monthly financial support through the ACSD program, children with severe disabilities may also receive coverage for:
- an assessment for an assistive device and/or the consumer contribution for a device provided under the Assistive Devices Program
- batteries and repairs for mobility devices
- prescription drugs through OHIP+
- dental care through Healthy Smiles Ontario program
- hearing aids and vision care, including eyeglasses
How to Apply/Application: https://www.ontario.ca/page/assistance-children-severe-disabilities-program#section-1
Contact Information:
If you have any questions or need assistance, contact your local ministry regional office.
