Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

• Completed application forms
• Medical forms completed by a health care professional, if required

Who is eligible?

• People with disabilities in Ontario.
• People receiving or seeking ODSP income support.
• People seeking ODSP employment supports in First Nations sites.

Who is not eligible

• Tourists, visitors, and temporary residents.
• People incarcerated in a lawful place of confinement.
• People under 18 applying for income support in their own right.
• Ontario Works recipients for ODSP employment supports.

Eligible expenses

• Living expenses such as food and rent.
• Health-related costs, including prescription drugs and vision care.
• Employment-related items and costs, including child care and disability-related work expenses.
• Approved business expenses for self-employment.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Costs already covered by other public programs or private sources.
• Some educational programs and related costs funded through OSAP or the Education Act.
• Medical, dental, nursing treatment, and prescription drugs as employment supports.
• Home or vehicle purchases and structural workplace modifications.
• Wages for employees, gifts, entertainment, business losses, depreciation, and conferences as business expenses.

Eligible geographic areas

• Ontario.
• First Nations sites in Ontario for employment supports.
• Employment supports delivery in Belleville, Cornwall, Halton, Hamilton–Niagara, Kingston–Pembroke, Muskoka–Kawarthas, Peel Region, Stratford–Bruce Peninsula, Timmins, and York is provided by Employment Ontario instead of ODSP.

• Step 1: Start the application
  • Apply online, by phone, or in person.
  • Prepare identification and supporting information before applying.
• Step 2: Submit the application
  • Complete the required forms and submit them through the chosen channel.
  • Provide information for yourself and immediate family members included in the application.
• Step 3: Verification and review
  • Attend the verification appointment if requested.
  • Provide documents to confirm income, assets, shelter costs, and residency.
• Step 4: Disability determination
  • Submit the Disability Determination Package if required.
  • Have the health care professional complete the medical forms.
• Step 5: Decision and follow-up
  • Wait for the decision letter from ODSP.
  • If approved, follow next steps with the caseworker and monitor application status online or by phone.

• Applicants receive a written notice of decision.
• Internal review is available to review the original decision at the local level before an appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal.

• ODSP income support is adjusted annually in July.
• The Canada Disability Benefit is exempt as income for social assistance.
• Applicants may apply online, by phone, or in person.
• MyBenefits can be used to continue applications and report changes.