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2025-05-21T04:37:44Z

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{{short description|Last resort income support program}}
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{{Notability|Organizations|date=August 2013}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2013}}
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[[Image:Coat of arms of Ontario (HM Government).svg|thumb|right|250px|Ontario Coat of Arms]]
{{Disability}}

The '''Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)'''<ref name="Ontario Disability Support Program -- About ODSP">{{cite web|title=About the Ontario Disability Support Program|url=http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/index.aspx|publisher=Ontario Government|access-date=2013-12-21|archive-date=2014-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101092259/http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/index.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> is a [[means-tested]] government-funded last resort income support paid for qualifying residents in the province of [[Ontario]], [[Canada]], who are at least eighteen years of age and have a [[disability]].<ref name="Income Support: Who is eligible">{{cite web|title=ODSP: Who is eligible|url=http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/income_support/eligibility/index.aspx|publisher=Ontario Government|access-date=2013-12-21|archive-date=2013-12-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217010245/http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/income_support/eligibility/index.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> ODSP and Ontario Works (OW)<ref name="Ontario Works">{{cite web|title=About Ontario Works|url=http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/ow/index.aspx|publisher=Ontario Government|access-date=2013-12-21|archive-date=2014-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103153450/http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/ow/index.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> are the two main components of Ontario's [[Welfare spending|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 (Ontario)|Ministry of Community and Social Services]] is responsible for ODSP and OW.<ref name="Social Assistance">{{cite web|title=About Social Assistance|url=http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/|publisher=Ontario MCSS|access-date=2011-08-11|archive-date=2011-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819163624/http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/|url-status=live}}</ref>

This is unlike [[Social Security (United States)#Disability|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.<ref name="ODSP Act—recent version">{{cite web|title=Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997 ONTARIO REGULATION 222/98|url=http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_980222_e.htm|publisher=Ontario Gazette|access-date=21 December 2013|archive-date=24 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224111323/http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_980222_e.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> It is managed through policy directives.<ref name="ODSP Directives">{{cite web|title=Social Assistance Directives|url=http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/|access-date=2011-08-11|archive-date=2011-08-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813182448/http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Unlike Ontario Works, ODSP does not require recipients to undertake employment-related activities like [[Job hunting|job searching]], or [[vocational education|vocational training]]. This is determined through a subjective evaluation of four criteria<ref name="Income Support: Who is eligible" /> that are defined within the ODSP Act:<ref name="ODSP Act—recent version" />

* 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]].<ref name="About Employment Supports">{{cite web|title=Employment Supports: What it is|url=http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/employment_support/what.aspx|publisher=Ontario MCSS|access-date=21 December 2013|archive-date=24 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224114430/http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/employment_support/what.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

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.

==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 adult]]s 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.<ref name="ODSP Health">{{cite web|title=ODSP Health Benefits|url=http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/income_Support/benefits/odsp_Health.aspx|publisher=Ontario MCSS|access-date=2014-10-15|archive-date=2014-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020041001/http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/income_Support/benefits/odsp_Health.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> These include:

* Prescription medication coverage (for medications listed on the Ontario Drug Benefit formulary)<ref name="Ontario Drug Beniift">{{cite web|title=Ontario Drug Benefit - Formulary Search|url=https://www.healthinfo.moh.gov.on.ca/formulary/|publisher=Ministry of Health, Government of tOntario|access-date=15 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204142903/https://www.healthinfo.moh.gov.on.ca/formulary/|archive-date=4 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> - a co-payment may apply <ref name="ODB Overview">{{cite web|title=The Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB program)|url=http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/drugs/programs/odb/opdp_pay.aspx|publisher=Ministry of Health and Long Term Care—Government of Ontario|access-date=15 October 2014|archive-date=2 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002213359/http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/drugs/programs/odb/opdp_pay.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
*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 breastfeeding 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 to find and to keep a job, and advancing a career

==See also==

*[[Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped]]
* [[National Disability Insurance Scheme]] (Australia)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.isthatlegal.ca/index.php?name=start.odsp ODSP Legal Guide]

{{Disability navbox}}

[[Category:Health in Ontario]]
[[Category:Government of Ontario]]
[[Category:Welfare in Canada|*]]
[[Category:Social security in Canada]]

Ontario Disability Support Program - Revision history

imported>Legend of 14: Updated maintenance tags