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1 Page 1 of 9 Home Page What's New Programs Publications Forms News Room Home / Programs / Income and Employment Supports / Ontario Disability Support Program / Publications Program Ontario Disability Support Program Program Options News Publications Forms Legislation FAQs Links ODSP Handbook 1. What is ODSP Income Support? 2. Booking an appointment at the ODSP office 3. What you need to do if you qualify for supports 4. What you can do if you are turned down for supports 5. How much money could you get from ODSP? 6. Other help that is available 7. Things you need to remember 8. ODSP Employment Support What is ODSP Income Support? This program provides financial assistance to eligible people with disabilities. To meet the requirements, you must: be 18 years of age or older, qualify financially, and have a substantial physical or mental impairment that is continuous or recurrent and is expected to last one year or more. If you meet these requirements, you may qualify for ODSP Income Support. If you are not sure that you qualify, answer these questions: Can I take care of myself? Can I take part in my community? Can I go to work? Depending on your answers, you may qualify

2 Page 2 of 9 for supports. You may also qualify if you: receive disability benefits under the Canada Pension Plan; are 65 or older and are not eligible for Old Age Security (OAS); live in a psychiatric facility; live in a facility under the Development Services Act or in a home under the Homes for Special Care Act; are about to turn 18 and currently get a benefit called the "Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities benefit" (this used to be called Handicapped Children's Benefit). Do you qualify financially? ( How much money do you have?) You may not qualify if you are single and have over $5,000 in things like cash, RRSPs, or in insurance policies. You may not qualify if you have a spouse or same sex partner and have over $7,500 in things like cash, RRSPs or in insurance policies. You may not qualify if you have children and a spouse or same sex partner and have over $7,500 + $500 (for each child) in things like cash, RRSPs or in insurance policies. If you're not sure how much money you have, you should call your local office. They can help you figure it out. Here is a list of some of the kinds of questions someone from the ODSP office will ask you: How much money do you have in the bank? How much cash do you have? Do you have RRSPs? How much money do you make a week? How much do you pay for rent? Do you have an insurance policy? Do you own your home? Do you have an OSAP student loan? Are you receiving Old Age Security? Are you receiving Employment Insurance? Are you receiving Canada Pension/Quebec Pension Plan? If they think you qualify for supports, they will make an appointment at the ODSP office for you.

3 Page 3 of 9 Booking an appointment at the ODSP office The office will send you a letter that will have the day and time of the appointment, and a list of all the things that you need to bring to the appointment. If you need special help, (a sign language interpreter, large print forms etc.) let the office know, so that they can make all the arrangements. Your appointment will take about 1 ½ hours. At this appointment, you'll go over in detail, how much money you make and how many bills you have to pay. The person you talk to at the ODSP office will have to do some calculating to find out if you qualify for the program. What you need to do if you qualify for supports: If you qualify financially, you will be given a package of forms to fill out. This package is called the Disability Determination Package (DDP). The forms are: Health Status Report and Activities of Daily Living Index To find out who can fill out each part of this form, please read the list on the front of the form. A Medical Consent Form You must sign this form so that your doctor or medical professional has your permission to release medical information to us. A Self Report This is your chance to tell us, in your words, what it's like to live with your disability. Please note: you do not have to fill out this form but we would like to hear what you have to say! Send the filled out forms to the Disability Adjudication Unit (DAU). You must have your forms filled out and sent to the DAU in 90 days from the date of your interview:

4 Page 4 of 9 Disability Adjudication Unit Social Assistance and Municipal Operations Branch Box B18 Ministry of Community and Social Services Toronto, Ontario M7A 1R3 When the forms arrive at the DAU, staff will review your file. They will se if you qualify for supports. Before you get ODSP supports, you have 1 more step to go through: You must go over your money and bills with someone from the ODSP office 1 more time. This is a quick review and can be done by phone. We have to do this, because in the time it took to have your file looked at, things could have changed. Once you start collecting ODSP, the money will be put into your bank account automatically. If you do not have a bank account, we will help you make other arrangements. What you can do if you are turned down for supports You have the right to request an Internal Review if you do not agree with any decision regarding your income support. For example: your application for ODSP has been denied, the amount of your ODSP income support has been changed, or your ODSP income support has been stopped. You must send a written request for an Internal Review using the "Request for Internal Review" form or by writing a letter or note. At the top of the letter, include: your full name, your 9-digit member I.D. number (and/or Social Insurance Number or Health Card number), and your date of birth (day, month, year). It would also be helpful if you explained why you disagree with the decision that was made. You must submit your request for an Internal Review of a financial decision to the local ODSP office (ODSP office addresses). Your request for an Internal Review of a decision about your disability

5 Page 5 of 9 status must be sent to the ministry's Disability Adjudication Unit (DAU). You can fax your letter to (416) You will receive a decision letter when the Internal Review is complete. you do not like the decision from the Internal Review, there is one more thing that you can do. You can ask the Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT) to review your case. Ask your local office for more information on how the SBT works. Please remember that you can't go to the SBT until you have requested an Internal Review. How much money could you get from ODSP? How much money you get depends on your situation. You could get as much as $ 959 per month if you are single. You may get as much as $1460 per month for a couple where one spouse is disabled and the other is non-disabled. Other help that is available 1. STEP STEP is an ODSP benefit that helps you put more money in your pocket when you get a job. With STEP, you keep your full pay cheque and part of your ODSP cheque. A single person can earn up to $160 per month at a job and keep their full ODSP cheque. A family can earn up to $235 per month at a job and keep their full ODSP cheque. Once you are earning over this amount, your ODSP cheque is gradually reduced as your earnings increase. However, a person who is working is always better off.

6 Page 6 of 9 If you get a full time job and your earnings are high enough to take you off of the ODSP program, you may still be able to receive health benefits if you have high health costs. And remember if you get a job and it doesn't work out, you may have a safety net. It's called Rapid Reinstatement it's a way to get back on ODSP Income Support. Talk to someone at your ODSP office they'll do the STEP calculation for you and tell you how much more money you could be taking home; they'll also give you further information about Rapid Reinstatement. 2. Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit (CSUMB) You can ask for CSUMB if you need money to help you: move; set up a new, permanent home in the community; or stay in your current home. This benefit may give you up to $799 if you are single, and up to $1,500 for a family with dependent children. You can get this benefit only 1 time in a 24-month period. You may qualify if you are: leaving an institution and need to find a place to live; living in a home where it would be harmful to your health or well-being to stay; starting a new job and need to move; leaving an abusive situation; being evicted because you are behind with your rent/mortgage; or behind with payment of your utility/heating bill and it will be disconnected. You may be allowed to receive CSUMB more than once in a 24-month period, if you must move for exceptional circumstances (e.g. flood or fire). Talk to someone at your local ODSP office for more information about CSUMB. Things you need to remember

7 Page 7 of 9 1) Remember, you must call the ODSP office when you: move give them your new address; make some money, or receive money as a gift or inheritance etc.; get married, divorced, have a baby, or a child leaves home; have to go into the hospital; leave Ontario for more than 30 days. These are just some examples. Anytime you have a change in your circumstances, you must let the ODSP office know what those changes are. 2) and remember, it is your right to ask for an Internal Review for any decision made by the ODSP. Ask your local ODSP office for information about how to request a review. Completing a Reporting Card each month Every month your ODSP office will send you a Reporting Card. There are 2 sections to this card: 1. Fill out the first part if you work. 2. Fill out the second part if your rent changes, or if you are moving. Getting information by telephone Interactive Voice Response (IVR) gives out information over the phone. By calling in to the IVR, you can get important announcements from the ODSP and some general information about the program. That means it is a good idea to call in every month. All you do is call The phone call is free. IVR can also give you information about your cheque. ODSP Employment Support This is voluntary. It helps people with disabilities prepare for, find and maintain employment. How do I qualify for Employment Supports? You may qualify if you have a physical or mental disability that is expected to last a year or more and your disability makes it hard for you to find or keep a job.

8 Page 8 of 9 You must also be: willing and able to work, living in Ontario, legally able to work in Canada, and 16 years of age or older. You may also qualify if you are working but are having difficulty keeping your job because of your disability. You do not have to be receiving ODSP Income Support to qualify for Employment Supports. Who does not qualify for Employment Supports? You may not qualify for Employment Supports if you are receiving disability or rehabilitation benefits from other sources. If you are not receiving these benefits but qualify for them, you may not qualify for Employment Supports. People who take part in the Ontario Works program are not eligible for Employment Supports. Those people receive employment assistance from Ontario Works. What type of help can I receive? ODSP Employment Supports can help you with things you need to get a job, like: planning and preparing for a job this could also include some training; technical aids ranging from mobility devices and reading aids to adapted computers and the training to use them; interpreter, reader, note taker, and intervenor services; job coaching and help with job searches; and transportation assistance while you are training for a job. How do I apply? You can download the application package to complete on your own. Call your local ODSP office and ask about Employment Supports. If you already receive ODSP Income Support, you can also ask staff at your local ODSP office to give you an Employment Supports application package.

9 Page 9 of 9 central site feedback search site map français MCSS Home What's New Programs Publications Forms News Room External Links Disclaimer/Privacy Ministry of Community and Social Services Copyright information: Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2003 Last Modified: 5/13/2005 4:57:47 PM