Updated: March 2025  |  bremo.io financial guides

ODSP 2025: Ontario Disability Support Program Guide

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) provides income and employment support to people with disabilities in Ontario. If a disability significantly restricts your daily life and your ability to work, ODSP may provide more support than Ontario Works — including higher monthly payments and additional health benefits.

What Is ODSP?

ODSP is Ontario's disability income support program. It serves two purposes:

• Income support — monthly financial assistance for people with disabilities and their families
• Employment supports — services to help people with disabilities find, keep, or advance in employment

ODSP is specifically for people whose disability substantially limits their ability to work and participate in daily life. It is not a temporary program — you can continue receiving ODSP as long as you remain eligible.

ODSP Eligibility

To qualify for ODSP, you must meet both financial and disability criteria.

Financial Criteria

• Be an Ontario resident
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Be in financial need (income and assets below program limits)

Disability Criteria

You must have a substantial physical or mental impairment that:

• Is continuous or recurrent
• Is expected to last one year or more
• Directly and substantially restricts your ability to perform daily activities

You must have the disability status verified by a health professional (doctor, nurse practitioner, psychologist, etc.) using the ODSP Disability Determination Package.

Asset Limits for ODSP

ODSP has higher asset limits than Ontario Works:

• Single person: up to $40,000 in assets
• Couple: up to $50,000 in assets
• Each dependent child: up to $5,000 additional

Your primary home and one vehicle are generally exempt. RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan) funds are fully exempt. RRSPs and RESPs are also exempt up to certain limits.

Additional ODSP Benefits

Beyond monthly income, ODSP recipients may access:

• Extended health benefits — dental care, vision care, prescription drugs, hearing aids, mobility devices
• Diabetic supplies — insulin, test strips, syringes covered
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding allowance
• Nutritional allowance for specific medical conditions
• Moving costs in certain situations
• Guide dogs — coverage for care costs
• Employment-related benefits — work clothing, transportation, childcare while working

How to Apply for ODSP

1. Contact your local ODSP office — call or visit to start the application process
2. Complete the financial eligibility review — provide income, assets, and household information
3. Complete the Disability Determination Package — your health care provider fills out medical forms
4. Disability Adjudication Unit (DAU) review — reviews your disability determination
5. Decision issued — if approved, you receive back pay to the date of your application

The process can take several months. While waiting, you may be eligible for Ontario Works. If denied, you have the right to appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal.

Working While on ODSP

ODSP strongly encourages employment when possible. The earnings exemption for ODSP is more generous than Ontario Works:

• You can earn up to $1,000/month without any deduction from ODSP
• Beyond $1,000/month, 75 cents of every dollar earned is deducted from ODSP
• This means working almost always improves your total income

ODSP Employment Supports

Separate from income support, ODSP Employment Supports help people with disabilities find and maintain employment. These are available even to people who are not receiving ODSP income support. Services include:

• Job coaching and workplace support
• Assistive devices for the workplace
• Skills training and education
• Self-employment support
• Supported employment services

ODSP vs. Ontario Works

The key differences:

• ODSP pays more (~$1,228 vs ~$733 for single person)
• ODSP has higher asset limits ($40,000 vs $2,500)
• ODSP has better extended health benefits
• ODSP has a higher earnings exemption ($1,000 vs $200)
• ODSP requires a verified disability; Ontario Works does not

If you are on Ontario Works and believe you have a qualifying disability, ask your caseworker about being referred to ODSP.

Your Rights Under ODSP

As an ODSP recipient, you have important rights:

• The right to be treated with dignity and respect
• The right to receive a written explanation of any decision
• The right to request an internal review of any decision within 30 days
• The right to appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal
• The right to have a support person accompany you to appointments

Community legal clinics across Ontario provide free legal help with ODSP matters, including appeals. You do not have to navigate this system alone.