Ontario Disability Support Program

Ontario Coat of Arms

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)^[1] is a means-tested government-funded last resort income support paid for qualifying residents in the province of Ontario, Canada, who are above the age of 18 and have a disability.^[2] ODSP and Ontario Works (OW)^[3] are the two main components of Ontario's social assistance system. Like most social programs in Canada, the program is funded by the government of the province. The Ministry of Community and Social Services is responsible for ODSP and OW.^[4]

This is unlike Social Security Disability in the United States which is a federally funded program under the umbrella of an Old Age Pension, but provides similar benefits—regardless of the state of residence.

The ODSP is defined by provincial legislation, the ODSP Act, and its supporting regulations.^[5] It is managed through policy directives.^[6]

Unlike Ontario Works, ODSP does not require recipients to undertake employment-related activities like job searching, or vocational training. This is determined through a subjective evaluation of four criteria^[2] that are defined within the ODSP Act:^[5]

• The disability is continuous or recurrent;
• It is expected to last for a year or more;
• The disability significantly limits their ability to work, look after themselves, or get out in the community; and
• It has been verified by an approved health professional.

For recipients wishing to work, an optional component provides employment support funding, such as referral to a specialized employment counsellor.^[7]

ODSP is meant to replace the income lost due to the recipient's disability making them unable to work enough to gain self-sufficiency and thus has a higher rate of assistance and asset limits than Ontario Works does.

Verification process

The Disability Determination Package is used to collect information about your disability.

The two main parts of the Disability Determination Package must be completed by an approved health care professional. These parts are:

Health Status Report - collects information about the applicant's medical condition, its impairments, restrictions and expected duration, as well as treatments Activities of Daily Living Index - collects information about the impact of your impairment on the ability to work, care for onrself and participate in the community Health care professionals who are approved to complete both the Health Status Report and Activities of Daily Living Index:

• ophthalmologists
• optometrists
• physicians
• psychological associates
• psychologists
• registered nurses in the extended class

Health care professionals who are approved to complete the Activities of Daily Living Index only:

• audiologists
• chiropractors
• occupational therapists
• physiotherapists
• registered nurses
• social workers
• speech-language pathologists

Benefits

The program is paid monthly to a "benefit unit" which can consist of a single person between 18 and 65 (or a senior citizen who is ineligible for Old Age Security or Canada Pension Plan) and any others who may require the person's support. This can be any corresponding dependent adults who do not qualify for assistance (though they are subject to workfare requirements), children under the individual's care, or a spouse. The ODSP benefit has two main components: a fixed basic needs allowance, and an amount for housing that is variable. For those who do not have independent cooking facilities and/or cannot provide grocery receipts, a "Board and Lodging" amount is provided instead. All costs are verified through submitted receipts and information sharing among other government agencies.

In addition to employment supports and financial assistance, the ODSP provides health-related benefits to assist recipients with their medical needs.^[8] These include:

• Prescription medication coverage (for medications listed on the Ontario Drug Benefit formulary)^[9] - a co-payment may apply ^[10]
• Dental coverage
• Vision care (including assistance with the purchase of eyeglasses)
• Medical transportation assistance (verified as medically necessary by a doctor)
• Nutritional assistance for pregnant and breast-feeding women.
• Coverage for medical supplies related to a recipient's disability
• Transitional coverage for those who no longer meet financial eligibility or move on to full-time work.
• Financial assistance to help recipients and their families with essential living expenses
• help finding and keeping a job, and advancing a career

See also

• Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped

Similar program in Australia

In Australia a national disability program is being implemented. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) started in July 2013 as a trial in four locations. There are now trial sites in all states and territories of Australia and the program is being extended in all states (excluding Wrstern Australia) from July 2016.

The NDIS has similar eligibility criteria to the ODSP, although provides supports to both children and adults. The NDIS provides support to access health services and therapy in addition to medical supplies and equipment.

References

External links

• ODSP Legal Guide