Ontario has two main social assistance programs that provide income to eligible residents who need financial help – Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
Ontario Works provides financial assistance to Ontarians who need money for basic needs, including food and housing.
ODSP provides financial assistance and health benefits to eligible Ontarians suffering from a disability that limits their ability to work.
This article covers what you need to know about ODSP payment dates in 2024, benefits, how to apply for the ODSP, disabilities that qualify, benefit amounts, and changes to the program.
ODSP Payment Dates 2024
ODSP payments are made available on the last business day of each month. The ODSP payment dates in 2023/2024 are:
| Benefit Month | ODSP Payment Date |
| December 2023 | December 20, 2023 |
| January 2024 | January 31, 2024 |
| February 2024 | February 29, 2024 |
| March 2024 | March 28, 2024 |
| April 2024 | April 30, 2024 |
| May 2024 | May 31, 2024 |
| June 2024 | June 28, 2024 |
| July 2024 | July 31, 2024 |
| August 2024 | August 30, 2024 |
| September 2024 | September 27, 2024 |
| October 2024 | October 31, 2024 |
| November 2024 | November 29, 2024 |
| December 2024 | To be determined |
You can receive your payments via direct deposit, cheque, or a reloadable payment card.
Related: Ontario Trillium Program.
How Much ODSP Benefit Do I Get in 2024?
The maximum amount of ODSP you receive will vary depending on the actual cost of shelter you incur, type of shelter, number of dependent children (i.e. benefit unit size), eligibility for the remoteness allowance, and whether your spouse or partner is also disabled and qualifies for ODSP.
Here are some examples:
| Benefit Unit | Basic Needs | Maximum Shelter | Total ODSP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $706 | $522 | $1,228 |
| Single parent + 1 child | $849 | $821 | $1,738 |
| Single parent + 2 children | $849 | $889 | $1,738 |
| Couple | $1,018 | $821 | $1,839 |
| Couple – 1 child | $1,018 | $889 | $1,907 |
| Couple – 2 children | $1,018 | $964 | $1,982 |
A couple who both have a disability and qualify for ODSP get up to a maximum of $2,070 per month (i.e. the double disabled rate).
ODSP recipients who receive board and lodging from the same place are paid a room and board allowance that is $867 for a single person and $1,230 for a couple.
If both spouses are disabled and qualify for ODSP, the payment amount is $1,727 under a room and board arrangement.
Again, your ODSP amount may vary based on many factors, and these are just some of the potential scenarios.
In addition to ODSP benefits, you may also qualify to receive other provincial and federal benefits such as the GST/HST credit, Canada Child Benefit, and the Ontario Trillium Benefit/Trillium Drug Program.
ODSP Explained
The Ontario Disability Support Program offers income and employment support to people with disabilities. The program is administered by the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services.
ODSP Income Support
Eligible recipients receive a monthly payment that covers their basic needs and the cost of shelter. They may also receive health benefits and employment support.
1. ODSP Basic Needs Benefit
This refers to basic necessities such as food and clothing. The amount you receive varies depending on your household, the age of family members, and whether your spouse or partner is also disabled.
The maximum monthly amount provided for basic needs for a single recipient with no dependent child is $706. If a spouse is included in the benefit calculation, it goes up to $1,018.
See the table below for different scenarios:
| Number of Dependants other than a Spouse | Dependants 18 Years or Older | Dependants 0-17 Years | Recipient See Note 1 | Recipient and Spouse See Note 2 | Recipient and Spouse See Note 3 |
| 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 |
Note 1. A recipient if there is no spouse included in the benefit unit.
Note 2. A recipient with a spouse included in the benefit unit if Note 3 does not apply.
Note 3. A recipient with a spouse included in the benefit unit if each of the recipient and the spouse is a person with a disability or a person referred to in subparagraph 1 i of subsection 4 (1) or paragraph 3, 5.1, 5.2, 6, 7 or 8 of subsection 4 (1).
2. ODSP Shelter Benefits
This refers to rent, mortgage, property taxes, home insurance, utilities, and condo fees. The maximum amount you can get for shelter allowance is based on your family size up to a maximum.
The maximum monthly amount provided to cover the shelter cost of a single ODSP recipient is $522. This amount increases to $821 when the benefit unit consists of two people.
See the table below for shelter allowance amounts based on various family sizes.
| Benefit Unit Size | Maximum Monthly Shelter Allowance |
| 1 | $522 |
| 2 | $821 |
| 3 | $889 |
| 4 | $964 |
| 5 | $1,041 |
| 6 or more | $1,078 |
In cases where utilities are not included in the rent or mortgage, their actual cost can be paid out separately. There is also additional support for those residing in remote communities.
If an ODSP resident is living in a room and board arrangement and not renting or dwelling in a principal residence, the combined board and lodging amount they are paid is different.
3. ODSP Health Benefits
Health benefits available through the ODSP include:
- Prescription drug coverage
- Dental benefits
- Vision care and hearing benefits
- Medical supplies benefits, e.g. diabetic and incontinence supplies
- Nutritional allowance for pregnant and breastfeeding parents
- Extended health benefits
- Medical transportation benefits
- Transitional health benefits if you move on to a paid job and no longer qualify for ODSP
ODSP Employment Support
ODSP provides employment support to recipients who are able or willing to work by helping them with starting a job, obtaining training, and helping with childcare costs.
For example, if you start running a business, you can claim up to the full cost of child care as a deduction from your earnings.
Related: AISH Benefits Explained.
ODSP Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the ODSP, you must meet the age, residency, financial, and disability requirements.
ODSP Age and Residency Requirements
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and be a resident of the province of Ontario.
ODSP Financial Requirements
You must need financial help to pay for basic living expenses. Your household income and assets are assessed by a care worker in consideration for eligibility.
Income that may impact how much ODSP you receive include CPP, employment income, Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS), Old Age Security, and EI.
Income from Canada Child Benefits, Ontario Child Benefit, child support, or payments from a Registered Disability Savings Plan are exempt when calculating your ODSP eligibility.
The value of your assets also goes into determining whether you are eligible for ODSP or not.
Assets that impact your application include cash, RRSP, investments, TFSA, secondary properties, chequing accounts, etc.
Exempt assets include your primary residence and vehicle, Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), prepaid funerals, RDSP, personal effects, e.g. clothing, and the cash value of a life insurance policy (within specified limits).
For assets that impact your ODSP eligibility, you can have a limit of $40,000 as a single person or up to $50,000 for a couple and remain eligible.
ODSP recipients can work while receiving benefits. You earn up to $200 in net monthly income without a benefit reduction. Amounts exceeding $200 are clawed back at a 50% rate. The monthly earnings threshold increases to $1,000 in February 2023 (starts with March 2023 payment).
Employment income earned by ODSP recipients enrolled in full-time education (high school or post-secondary) is fully exempt.
Cash gifts, donations, and inheritances up to $10,000 per 12-month period are also exempt.
ODSP Disability Requirements
You must have a mental or physical disability that prevents you from being able to sustain yourself. As per the ODSP Act, this means that:
- You have an impairment that is expected to last one year or more
- Your disability limits your ability to care for yourself or function in a workplace or community
- Your impairment has been verified by an approved healthcare professional
To meet these requirements, you must submit a Disability Determination Package (DDP).
You may qualify for ODSP income support without completing DDP if you are already a recipient of the Canada Pension Plan Disability benefit or you are over 65 years of age and do not qualify for an OAS pension.
How To Apply for ODSP in 2024
If you meet the age and residency requirements, you can proceed with starting the application process to determine whether you are financially eligible. You can complete this process online, by phone, or in person at your local ODSP office.
The Ministry of Community and Social Services has offices in the East, North, Central, and West regions of the province and Toronto. Find a location here.
A decision on this initial step is sent to you within 15 business days.
If you are deemed financially eligible for income support, your care worker will give you a Disability Determination Package. Your healthcare provider is required to complete the “Health Status Report” (HSR) and “Activities of Daily Living” (ADLI) sections of the DDP.
The following professionals can complete both the HSR and ADLI forms:
Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Physicians, Psychological Associates, Psychologists, Registered Nurses in extended class and Registered Nurses.
These healthcare professionals can only complete the ADLI:
Audiologists, Chiropractors, Occupational therapists, Physiotherapists, Social Workers, and Speech-Language Pathologists.
The two other forms in the package, i.e. the “Consent to Release Medical Information” and Self Report” are completed by you.
The completed package is sent to the Disability Adjudication Unit. A decision is usually completed within 90 business days.
If you have questions about your application, call the Disability Adjudication Unit at 1-888-256-6758.
Applicants already on Ontario Works generally qualify financially for ODSP and can apply for ODSP through their Ontario Works Office.
If deemed ineligible, you can request an internal review within 30 days. If you are not satisfied with the review’s outcome, you can ask for an appeal hearing.
ODSP Increase and Changes in 2024
While several proposed changes to the Ontario Disability Support Program have been put on hold, ODSP benefits increased by 5% in September 2022.
This 5% increase applied to basic needs and shelter maximums and board and lodge amounts for singles and families. The amounts for services provided by a Long-Term Care Home or a Specialized Care Residence also increased.
Starting in July 2023, ODSP benefits will be indexed to inflation.
Also, the monthly earnings exemption for ODSP increased from $200 to $1,000 monthly in February 2023.
Ontario Works Payment Dates 2024
If you are interested in when Ontario Works payments are made, they are shown in the table below. Ontario Works payment dates in 2024 are made available on the last business day of the previous month:
| OW Benefit Month | OW Payment Date |
|---|---|
| December 2023 | November 30, 2023 |
| January 2024 | December 20, 2023 |
| February | January 31, 2024 |
| March | February 29, 2024 |
| April | March 28, 2024 |
| May | April 30, 2024 |
| June | May 31, 2024 |
| July | June 28, 2024 |
| August | July 31, 2024 |
| September | August 30, 2024 |
| October | September 27, 2024 |
| November | October 31, 2024 |
| December | November 29, 2024 |
Related: Ontario Child Benefits.
Will there be an increase to ODSP cheques at the end of September?
Im not on disability but sonething needs to be done. How can the Government not understand the amount they give is ridiculously below poverty level. The amount won’t even cover rent at current prices.
It’s disgusting.
Time for a change, also need to disconnect the pairing with welfare. The two are very different groups of people.
So you want life to be free while everyone pays? We all have difficulties some more than others, the system is being abused and paying more money isn’t an incentive to get people back to their feet.
Odsp isn’t for people getting back up on their feet, ODSP is for people who are unable to work. This ranges from a quadriplegic, with no working arms or legs, to the mentally unsound person living in the park screaming at birds and passers by.
I myself have a litany of issues ranging from Cancer, to deformities, to PTSD. I’m now homeless because ODSP didn’t cover my expenses. Many ODSP clients choose to get a place then not pay rent until evicted, this way they can afford food. I am diabetic, to not choose food as a primary financial item is to risk death, thus not enough money for rent. I empathise with landlords who aren’t paid because they too have expenses and mortgages so my personal ethics is to not steal from them. Thus I am left no choice but to be homeless.
You may reply about substance abuse. And yes it exists. I have seen many a youth with no addictions be exposed to it on the streets. It begins as either as a means of coping with be hardships and fears of being on the streets or worse as a tool of control by pimps and other predators who know the homeless make easy victims. Another way is self medicating, a means to turn off all the stress even for just a moment. I personally have no addictions not even cigarettes (thank God). But as covid hit and took away little luxuries like a shower at the gym I can understand why some people do. Perhaps if I didn’t have Ptsd or any of my other issues I would have a home a job and running water like I once did before the Cancer hit and took my feet out form under me.
The people on ODSP and OW are struggling knocking them down further doesn’t help, especially the people on the street. Can you imagine anywhere more rock bottom than not having a safe place to close your eyes, no running water to get clean. how can a person get a job and get to work daily to reverse this? You can’t it’s nearly impossible and extremely rare. If you can’t give us enough to pay rent then give affordable housing. I am one of the lucky ones I have a vehicle to live in. I can sleep with out fear of rape , beatings, or theft. I know a woman who was set on fire as a joke, she had painful burns. How anyone, individual or country treats it’s least fortunate members shows who they truly are. Either they are truly compassionate or do just enough to claim they are.
Sign me Anonymous,
I could be anyone you might have know who simply got too sick to earn.
Wow, I have 2 chronic illnesses. I’m not on ODSP but your story literally moved me and my husband to tears. I can’t believe we live in a country that claims to be above all else the most compassionate. However, when I sit in my treatment chair I hear all these stories from people who have had to sell their home or go bankrupt simply because their meds got too expensive.
It’s not right!
This is Canada! It’s just not right. We all deserve a fighting chance! And I despise the people that are so ignorant to say ODSP is people “taking their hard earned money” well didnt those sick people also work so they could take advantage of the fact that if one day they needed help they would have this program that could help them when they were sick? What happens when those people get sick and they don’t have anywhere to turn to and their medical bills are thousands of dollars a month, I think they would sing a different tune for sure.
Sending you my anonymous friend lots of good vibes and I hope you keep safe get better and hopefully take a nice hot shower one day very soon.
XOXO
I had 8 abdominal surgies, including an Ostomy for my bowel. I live bag free now , however I had all my large colon and 4 feet of my small intestine removed. I only eat once a day to combat the constant diarrhea that I will live with forever. I live with constant pain and nausea daily. Never mind the other surgies that have stopped me from enjoying any kind of life.I could live happier if I was not forced to live in such POVERTY. It’s one thing to battle everyday for your health. It makes taking one’s own life a better solution than fighting for equally and realizing I live like a human in a 3rd world county..Canada is not fighting for Their own..
Since we are going into lockdown are we getting extra funding as well? With the cost of living going up due to the pandemic $100 really doesn’t help. We too are in need of the extra support.
I’m on ODSP and rent has been going up every year but single men without children get nearly nothing for a check but our government doubled women’s bb bonuse checks with children and dont deducted there child support I dont understand how women with two to three kids almost $ 4500 to $5500 by the time you add up the odsp bb bonouse and child support but single men with out kids are expected to live on $1130 monthly how is this justified
Try living on the $760 a single woman/Indigenous person gets for being disabled but having too hard a time of finding the correct help in order to qualify. Try living with brain damage where rent costs $650 and medications cost $50. You think that’s fair?
valerie you are heard val you are correct.
I breanna poirier
have lived that exact way for 4-5 from sometime in 2017-about april 2021.
Around then i decided to put my boyfriend on my file….
Brain damage, mood disorder, epilepsy, and mental health issues.
(concentration aint my best friend) so the deadlines honestly are what get me all —- up (i budget as i get paid..because not knowing how much ill have paycheck to paycheck…ive been always living that way….i have a hard time with remembering my appointments and such if im not in the moment its gone so utilizing timers and calendars on my phone helped me budget actually.
not sure what the heck…mark st.pierre’s problem is …seems like one of attention :/
my medications are worth 2500 dollars a month for schizophrenia,insomnia, and pervasive developmental Disorder they are covered by ODSP but even if I were able to work I would have no money for anything besides my medication. If I even made enough to cover that. The government is using old taxpayers against social services which is an excuse to frivolously spend an over pay so called democratic politicians and dead wings of government. I am 45 up until 40 I worked from the age of 16 and yet I see people saying IM taking their tax money I paid those taxes for years and what do I get in return 672 dollars living allowance a month. I was making 28.60 an hour 40 + hours a week for the final 4 years of employment career.
Single females with no kids as well!!
The reason why people with disability are struggling is because, people who work have employment insurance plus they can get welfare if they don’t make enough.
People who are on disability can not work PERIOD. Why is there a EI (Employment insurance)and social assistance if these people can work and they can save money. When I worked I did not apply for EI because I saved money. Minimum wage went up. Its time to wake up and help people who are on ODSP and not welfare or EI because work is out there waiting for you.
I know a few people on odsp. If they had to, they all could work. I have arthritis in my back and hands from 35 years of working, guess what, im still givin er. If you dont want to work, stop whining about being poor and get out of bed before noon and get to work, really its not that bad!
I’m sorry. Did I just hear you say that all people on ODSP can work? Can a person work when they have a hole in their downstairs and have to take a bath every time they use the bathroom? Can a person work when they have heart disease? Can a person work when they are so mentally unstable that they can’t tell the difference between ghosts and real people? You have arthritis. Boo-hoo. Compared to the kind of pain that me and my boyfriend have, that’s nothing. I’ve had arthritis since I was in my 20s. Now I have sciatica, degenerative disk disease, and hip problems. There are days where I can’t get out of bed without screaming in pain. But maybe I’m just a wuss. Or maybe my boyfriend could work if he didn’t get holes in his rectum and has even worse back problems than I do. Get out of bed before noon? Neither me or my boyfriend sleep past 9am because the pain in our bodies wakes us up. Opinions like yours are exactly why disabled people continue to have problems with getting enough money to live on. Oh yeah, and as you have a job, I’m sure you can afford some Advil or Aleve. Me and my boyfriend can’t. We have to either budget for it or go without. And poor doesn’t cover what happens to those on ODSP. The poverty line in Canada is $2200/month for a single person. Want to know how much a single person in Ontario gets from ODSP? $1169/month. And it gets worse if you’re a couple. You only get $1750/month for both. That’s $875/month per person. That’s less than half the poverty line. The word “poor” doesn’t cover it. More like barely surviving. Most of us are only one month away from being homeless. And a lot of people on ODSP did go homeless with the pandemic. It’s not about “wanting” to work. We want to work. We would give our right freaking arms to work. It’s that we can’t. We are either physically or mentally incapable. Or we’re the people who have to take care of those people and can’t work a job because of it. Someday, your arthritis is going to cripple you. And then you will understand the hell that people on ODSP go through. Because my boyfriend and I had to fight to get on ODSP for 2 freaking years. He had 6 surgeries in 4 years and for 2 years they said he wasn’t disabled. 2 years of me working 50-60 hour weeks at $13.50/hour just to keep us in a home. And then being tossed out on the streets at the end of it because the amount of money we got was only $8000 because the government decided to give $5000 to his ex even though he shouldn’t have had to pay during the 4 years of surgeries because he didn’t have an income. 6 months of searching for an apartment and no one would take us because our credit history was obviously shot. And only having 1 person take pity on us and gave us a place to stay. You go through all of that and then tell me that “they can all work”. xxxxx
For family of 3 I get 1260, and I can’t contact my worker . I didn’t get a penny extra, since the covid began. My husband is my caregiver, as per ch aid, do to my pain , I can’t live alone w my daughter. It’s hopeless.
Will odsp care if I have 4000 in my bank while applying it’s savings money
I keep reading about this ”disability determination package”, but i can`t find out
how to get the package sent to me…I am not computer smart, when it is to be done
online, how do I down load?…by phone, i don`t like that idea sorry to say…all i want
to do is send for the package, fill it out, have my Dr. fill in her information, and
mail it back…why is it so complicated to get the ODSP package sent to me?
Call your worker and request one.
You have to apply through Ontario Wirks first, they determine if you are financially eligible first. They will then send you the disability application package
Its backwards I know !
Is there any funding for ODSP recipients during this lockdown period which began on December 26th, 2020?
What really annoys me is as an ODSP recipient, I was entitled to 100.00/month for added expenses and would seriously like to know why I had to discover this online, purely by accident while assisting someone with CERB. When I submitted my application I certainly received the 100.00 funding for the month of July only and was told it was the last month being paid and was NOT retroactive. Why was I not told by my ODSP caseworker who knew that I was struggling financially due to the extra costs involved with purchasing disinfectant wipes, masks, gloves, and the list could go on. Having a comproimmune system I feel that I, and every one should have been told that the funding was was available an we could at least apply. Why is this being kept a secret, so it seems. I find it totally wrong and unacceptable and feel like I’m begging for money or suffering due to the lack of financial support. I know that it’s not like it’s coming from the worker’s paycheck.
Sincerely,
Shelley
I just applied for odsp on Thursday jan 21.sent 8n the doctor forms and papers must have been 10 papers.faxed it to them. When will I receive notice of the decision
Neil Jackson
I am looking forward for the weekly newsletter.
I found out about 2 months after I sent paper work in they denied me but I fought it. Just did my court date and now I wait up to 60 days before I get my answer if I’m getting it or not after 27 months
Welfare in Quebec is way worse a single person in quebec gets $708 a month doesn’t leave much to live off when rent is $650 it’s ridiculous I’d like to see them live off that amount
What about the utilities such as hydro, water, internet or cable, heating, telephone How will these be paid for a single person living in an apartment?
Is there a restriction in leaving Canada for a certain period of time? Will i stop receiving my ODSP if I am out of the country for a month or so?
No Notice or notification on the 100 dollars a month Covid 19 is extremely disturbing! My son could have really used this and no notice was given at all. Were the case workers told to not notify their clients or is this of neglect of his case worker ? A key part of their job is to help disabled people navigate the process it is not ?
i believe their hesitance to give odsp recipients a raise in funds is an attempt to lower the number of citizens that do not pay into the government. Because they know people with disabilities have a high suicide rate. So they will wait it out as long as possible.
Why are disabled citizens discriminated?
Why if the disabled are given a social insurance number, are disabled restricted to pursuing a livelihood? Deductions in particular, no incentives? enablement?
Why are employers not mandated to hire disabled?
They are mandated to hire all other groups!
Why has the $200 exemption not increased since 1998 ?
It’s 2021 should the exemption increase be $600+ to match inflation?
Why if an odsp disabled person can receive a gift of up to $10,000 from anyone, but not recieve their spouses survivors pension? would this not be considered a gift?
Why is a disabled person discriminated from independent income, if wanting to marry, or is married, when social insurance numbers are given?
Why is a disabled person spouse forced to take on the burden of financially supporting their whole family?
Why would social services not want to help disabled suffering families from break ups and depression?
Why would social services take away a disabled person right to provide for their family, rent, food ect…
Why would social services discriminate and create a system that violates human rights? Under the Canadian charter of human rights?
What is the maximum amount I can earn from employment to avoid my ODSP payments being stopped?
the first 200 you make is waived it doesn’t count towards your odsp deductions. but when i had reported that i just made a little more than double of my odsp check.. they sent me a letter in the mail saying i was making too much to receive money from odsp.. but now im on extended health care which means i keep all my benefits and i can easily just get back on odsp if i for some reason stop working. ive been working a year now like this.
so.. to sum it up basically you will still recieve payments from odsp as long as your money you make from work doesn’t double what odsp gives you. Ya feel me? thats the most accurate description i can give you.
You know I believe that yes some people can work but they are on ODSP for a reason! Me I am on ODSP due to severe health problems and I worked hard all my life making good money before my doctor told me I would never be able to work again it is very hard going from making 22 dollars an hour to what I am making now it plays with your mind and demeans my your spirit of life I have always been a very independent woman I raised my 2 Kids by myself and always worked hard to give them what they needed I would love to go back to work to get some kind of self respect back but can never happen due to health reason but on what we make now can’t even afford to breathe something has to be done need more money to live with rent and cost of living so before anyone judges someone else remember we are not all in the same boat and just because someone isn’t as bad off as others doesn’t mean they too don’t need the help thanks for reading
I used to be one of these people that have no idea what a disabled person is going through. I used to think that it was more of a weakness. If you weren’t in a wheelchair you can work. Well, I worked until I was 45 making 6 figures for the majority of that time. I had a panic attack at work and kept going like it never happened. Eventually I just wound up laying in bed sleeping all day and night and didn’t know why. I refused to admit any mental illness because I didn’t believe in it. After a year of a diagnostic program at the hospital, I was found to be autoimmune with diabetes and scleroderma along with a few other incurable diseases. To look at me I look normal I think. My friends and family tell me to stop trying to go back to work. I have been given ODSP without review and was approved on my first application.
Today, because I refused to believe that I was mentally or physically I’ll I live off a cheque of 1169. I made over 100k for years. Instead of suing my insurance company I allowed my family to blow through my savings in about a year while I tried to fight my illnesses. After another year of living off long term from Sunlife I was kicked off. I got a lawyer but was told it was too late as per the statute. Sun life paid 4500 a month take home and ODSP paid 1900 a month with one eligible child, I also had an 18 year old at the time. My wife left me with the kids. I am thankful that I was able to get ODSP to put a roof over our heads and food on the table.
All the people that think just because someone looks ok and talks ok and isn’t complaining about everything doesn’t mean that they are capable. In fact it’s usually the loud ones that are capable. The day that I was told that I was approved for ODSP for life and without review, I cried. For me that was a confirmation that I was in fact sick and I still hadn’t admitted it to myself. I would give anything to go back to work. I work out of my apartment but most days I can’t deal with the responsibility of someone counting on me and it is crushing. I can’t leave my apartment to go shopping from mental illness and from the pain that my neuropathy causes all day. All the medication I take every morning and night makes things feel worse. I refuse to go back on pain meds because they are the devil and I could never have a job while being addicted to them. There is no case where you aren’t addicted if you get them prescribed.
The government’s only concern is power to control. They don’t suffer but the people do especially with the rise in housing and food.
They give to others freely jobs, homes, supports, and its not right. Sorry but its racistist against their own born citizens.
Those on ODSP suffer living below poverty and can’t afford even their own housing. Then wonder why so many homeless.
Unfair to those less fortunate and the ones who fight for what they are entitled to have to push it to the courts.
Don’t offer things like start up business funds because I’ve tried to do so. I cannot generate income without the business essentails if anything and have made no money ZERO. But worked hard with business plan and creating projects to get no where and put all money into NOTHING!!!
I have been fighting this issue because its listed under ONTARIO GOVERNMENT GRANTS DISABILITY BUSINESS START UP. It states you receive funding for all business essentails contact ODSP. Employment Supports what a joke now I am seeking lawyer because I’m FED UP WITH BEING TOLD ITS NOT AVAILABLE. YET IT IS AND IS UNDER THE GRANTS.
Damed if you do, damned if you don’t.
I really believe no one does a very fake claim I’m in a lot of pain I like to know why was I denied I have nowhere to go is that mean I should have triple pane on the street should I starve myself I didn’t realize we were in a Third World country
Make sure u get a lawyer where are u located? I was denied twice soon as I went to legal aid got a fantastic lady to help me I had no problems..I know people who say they are drug addicts or mental health is ok right away but what’s the difference? Guess they wanna see u fight oh and the govt wants to keep those jobs!!!
I have a question. My boyfriend and I live together and we are common law but all of our money is separate and he doesn’t pay for me. I only have rough ideas of what he makes/has and he doesn’t share this info with me because it’s his and not mine. We aren’t married. How do I navigate this? I can’t give numbers to what he makes when it isn’t my information.
I’ve always been independent and have always supported myself. What happens cause I can’t verify his assets and money? How does that get handled? I was just approved by cppd and have lots of student debt. I got sick 2 years into finally getting settled in a good job and have been stuck with student debt since. I didn’t choose to get sick. I want to work but my body just can’t. Ive been fighting it on and off the last 4 years and even got pushed out of my good job when I got sick. They sent me the long term disability forms past the due date then great west life just said sorry too bad, you should’ve done this sooner. I cant do something sooner if it was never sent in an appropriate amount of time to begin with…..this is the treatment I’ve gotten as a sick person. I get treated like I’m making it up and get alot of eye rolls and told that lots of people feel tired. 🙄 The stigma is really hurting me. I am relearning how to be a new human in my early 30s. I used to be very active and now I can hardly do the household basics everyday without my body yelling at me. I’m constantly fatigued, get alot of brain fog, and severe pain and spasms. Reading some of these comments is making me quite anxious. Why is it so hard for actual sick people to get empathic actual help? Why do we constantly have to defend our illness when there’s medical documentation that supports it? Why does everyone treat me like I’m drug seeking when I say I’m not and I’m just looking for help. I won’t even go to the hospital anymore when I’m having severe pain attacks. They all treat me like a drug seeker, I will even say I don’t need pain meds I need help. I still get read the controlled substance act, I get eye rolls from nurses, then they just make me sit there until it passes and say we don’t see anything you can go. Ive never had q record or substance problem but it just seems to be protcol at the hospital to treat pain like drug seeking. I just stay at home now, I have better medication, my own comfy bed and I don’t get treated like I’m a criminal. Our system treats disabled people like annoying lying leeches. We are humans who already have enough pain and suffering and don’t need to be treated like scum on top of that.
I wish I could work. I had to stop in the beginning because my teenage some was having multiple panic attacks everyday and I had to quit to stay with him. Then I got pregnant and my body started fighting itself. My eczema flared so bad that I couldn’t even touch anyone or do skin to skin with my baby. That was 2 years ago and my skin is still flared. And because of it I get impetigo on my face every other week. I’d love to work. Be able to buy a house. I have 6 kids. How can I work when I only have 2 good weeks a month. Im on ow. And I’m starting to think I should be on odsp. But I hate being on anything and I’d rather be able to work.
Hi, I get 895 for ODSP monthly and I live with my mother. The situation is pretty bad, but I cannot pay my own rent with 895 a month and I have super bad agoraphobia so going out to look for place myself would be super duper difficult. Does ODSP help with extra living allowances if I somehow manage to find my own place and move?
@Baguira: I think your best bet would be to contact ODSP to see what the options are as they would be in the best position to assess your situation.
It’s now 2022 March and prices at the grocery has doubled, gas is almost 2$ which increases every thing and rent is so high you need at least 50k a year to live comfortable!
But the government still has no care about increasing ODSP payment. It’s literally unaffordable to live! It’s not living it’s existing and for what!
My question is this …when Covid happened everyone was told that cerb would be $2000 because that’s what it takes to cover basic needs if not able to work. So why is it on odsp which you only qualify for if you are unable to work you receive a maximum of $1169? And why is it with cost of living going up they keep increasing minimum wage to try and catch up which really doesn’t has there not been an increase to cost of living for odsp or increase in rent allowance when rents have tripled
I’ve been on odsp for the past 4 years. My husband just received his letter saying that he’s also on odsp now. I know the base amount we’ll be getting is $1975, but will we still get the $100 each for doing odd-jobs for neighbors ? Also, how long does it take for the increase to take effect, and will it grant a bulk retroactive payment of the difference each month from the time his application was received on 6 Nov 2021 ? He was accepted 10 March 2022, but the May 1st check still has us getting the $1750 instead of $1975. Thank you
Food for thought…
Yes, ODSP is not really meant to help those get back on their feet; or is it enough to live on considering most on disability do need special diets and there are funds extra for that-but let’s be honest… it is not enough with todays prices!; ODSP is not easy to get on, although that can be a burden, I know from experience, but if your doctor declares your physical disabilities and your therapist declares your mental health issues, and your still denied- then make sure you appeal; on that note, if your denied because you have too much assets then clearly you need to liquidate your assets and do not exactly need ODSP yet, also, if you have too much mortgage or car payments and ODSP is not able to give you enough to cover that, you could still work and have ODSP assisting you to partially cover your expenses, rent out your room, sell the house, or sell the car (it’s bad for the environment anyways), you could even volunteer minimum 2 hours per month and receive an additional $100 on top of your monthly shelter and living costs, ; on ODSP or social assistance you can also take the opportunity to take a program/class/course/training program and update your skills to be able to help find a new job.
With that said, ontario works social assistance is not even able to cover the cost of rent for a room in todays economy even you volunteered and got the extra $100 per month. Rent for just a bedroom with shared kitchen and a bathroom start at $900/month now.
So yes, poverty and homelessness is only going to get worse if there is not a change.
But i don’t think the amount of government social assistance is the answer.
Now I don’t say this to offend anyone, but there is a point where having a good paying job/career can just be stated as a “GREEDY SELF-CENTRED AND SPOILED INDIVIDUAL” some job’s for example over-work a person 10-12 hours a day 6-7 days a week, of course they are paid probably very well, and they have a home and do not have to worry or want for anything because work hard and get paid well, they probably donate a few thousand to charities and claim in their taxes, but they probably also have a huge home, more then enough food in the fridge, a summer home, and god knows maybe several cars and a helicopter. But I bet you that job they have can be divided several times and the work be divided to pay several people so that they too can have a home and provide for their families.
my point is that people around the entire world should have not only a minimum wage and maximum hours, but they should have a maximum earning amount (anything over $150,000 per year to support just one person is more then enough) living space (okay you want have an office and a spare room, that’s fine – but you do not need a 4000 square foot property for just yourself or more then one of those properties – bc that is greedy!), a cap on how many cars, a cap on how many flights, and a cap on how many apartments are not being rented for a certain period of time in a building before it should be subsidized and rented to someone who needs a place.
Also, the housing situation, where the government sticks all of the poor into a specific complex or area is straight up reminds me of an old disciplinary method that was used years ago; punishment to a child at school by making them wear a dunce-cap while they sit off to the side, so everyone knows they did something wrong. Or detention class where everyone sits in a room together and they all know that each of them did something wrong to get a detention slip.
my point is that poverty is a continuous circle and my real question is… did people who grew up in poverty do something wrong? or is it the wealthy/government/politicians/those who do nothing when they see something that is just not right?
why do those who are less fortunate get centered out into the “ghetto” ?
I am sure there is many other things I could have mentioned… just some idea’s of what I think are the problems.
dec 20th 2024 is odsp next pay confirmed with ontario my benifits