Assistive Devices

209 - ONTARIO.MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
519-337-3735

ONTARIO DISABILITY SUPPORT PROGRAM. TTY: (519) 337-4804
Lambton Shared Services Centre 1-800-663-7633
150 Christina St. N., Sarnia, ON N7T 8H4 Fax: (519) 337-7122
         
Office Hours:   Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

Eligibility:          To be eligible for ODSP Income Support: 

  • you must have a verified physical or mental disability that is expected to last a year or more; the disability must make it difficult for you to care for yourself, participate in community life or work;
  • you must be financially eligible;
  • you must be 18 years or older; and
  • you must be a resident of Ontario. 

You may also be eligible for ODSP Income Support if you qualify financially and: 

  • receive disability benefits under the Canada Pension Plan (CPP);
  • are 65 or older and are not eligible for Old Age Security (OAS);
  • live in a psychiatric facility;
  • live in a facility under the Developmental Services Act or in a home under the Homes for Special Care Act; or
  • 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). 

The Ontario Disability Support Program provides financial assistance and other benefits to people with disabilities and their families. A disability is a substantial physical or mental impairment that is continuous or recurrent. The amount of money you receive from the ODSP will vary depending upon your rent costs and family size. As well as accommodation and basic living expenses, you may also be entitled to benefits such as drug and dental coverage and other supports. 

ODSP has two components; 

  • Income Support, and
  • Employment Supports 

 Income Support

Income Support provides financial assistance and other benefits to eligible people with disabilities and their families. This includes accommodation and basic living expenses, as well as prescription drugs and basic dental care. Other supports and benefits that may be available include:

  • eyeglasses
  • hearing aids
  • special diet allowance
  • diabetic supplies
  • ostomy supplies
  • surgical supplies
  • transportation needed to attend medical appointments
  • Upfront Child Care Benefit
  • wheelchair/mobility device repairs and batteries
  • back-to-school and winter clothing allowances for dependent children
  • Community Start Up and Maintenance Benefit (CSUMB)
  • Employment Start Up Benefit (ESUB)
  • extended health benefits
  • emergency home repairs
  • guide dog allowance 

Employment Supports 

 The ODSP Employment Supports program works with community service providers to help people with disabilities prepare for and find jobs, keep a job and advance their career. The program can also help people with disabilities become self-employed. Participation in Employment Supports is voluntary. 

Some examples of the supports that may be available include: 

  • job coaching
  • on-the-job training
  • adaptive software and mobility devices
  • interpreter/intervenor services
  • transportation assistance
  • assistive devices and training to use them
  • tools and equipment
  • special clothing
  • specialized computer training
  • other items you may need for work 

To be eligible for Employment Supports, you must: 

  • be 16 years of age or older;
  • be a resident of Ontario; and,
  • have a disability that is expected to last a year or more, and your disability makes it hard for you to find or keep a job 

You do not have to be receiving ODSP Income Support to be eligible for Employment Supports. If you are eligible for, or receiving disability or rehabilitation benefits from other public or private sources, you may not be eligible for ODSP Employment Supports. People who participate in Ontario Works are not eligible for ODSP Employment Supports. They receive employment assistance from Ontario Works. 

How to Apply for ODSP 

The first step is to contact the ODSP office to make an appointment. The office will send you a letter confirming 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, (for example, 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 one and a half hours. At this appointment, you will 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 determine if you qualify for the program. If you qualify financially, you will be given a package of forms to fill out. This package is called the Disability Determination Package (DDP). 

Once you have completed the forms, you will send them to the Disability Adjudication Unit (DAU) of the Ministry of Community and Social Services. 

You must have your forms filled out and sent to the DAU in 90 days from the date of your interview: 

Disability Adjudication Unit
Social Assistance and Municipal Operations Branch
Ministry of Community and Social Services
PO Box B18
Toronto, ON M7A 1R3 

Staff at the DAU will review your file to see if you qualify for supports.

 

 

 

 

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