To start receiving financial support in the form of ODSP payments, you need to apply. However, how much you end up receiving from ODSP depends on your individual circumstances. Let’s take a look at when you should expect to receive ODSP payments, as well as how you can start receiving them if you haven’t already approved them. 

2024 Direct Deposit Dates

Once you’ve been approved for these benefits, you should expect to receive your payments at the same time every month. ODSP payments are deposited into your bank account via direct bank deposit on the last business day of every month. For 2024, the payment schedule is as follows:

• January 31
• February 29
• March 28
• April 30
• May 31
• June 28
• July 31
• August 30
• September 27
• October 31
• November 29
• December payments are still TBD

However, for those ODSP recipients who don’t have a bank account, the Ontario government offers reloadable payment cards in order to receive payments. Whether you receive income support payments, payments from the ODSP program, or other benefits from social services, you can start receiving payments this way instead of with a paper cheque. 

ODSP Benefit Amounts

When it comes to ODSP benefits, you can be approved for two different parts. There’s the basic benefit as well as the shelter allowance to cover your basic living expenses. Cumulatively, you can receive up to $1,368 per month for living costs.

The ODSP payment amount that you receive is based on your total monthly income. However, there are other benefits that you can apply for as long as you’ve been approved for ODSP. These include:

• Prescription Drug Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage and Glasses
• Mandatory Special Necessities Benefit
• Transportation for Medical Appointments and Treatments
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Nutritional Allowance
• Coverage for Assistive Devices
• Hearing Aids and Devices
• Batteries and Repairs for Mobility Devices
• Special Diet Allowance
• Guide Dog Benefit
• Extended Health Benefit
• Health Benefits for People Leaving ODSP
• Transitional Health Benefit

There are no specific amounts for these benefits. How much you’re approved for is based on your individual situation. There may be other disability-related expenses that you can get reimbursed for as well. 

ODSP Eligibility Criteria

In order to qualify for ODSP, eligible candidates need to be persons with a disability as defined under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, also known as the ODSP Act. This means that you must have a substantial mental or physical impairment that is expected to last at least one year or more.

Your disability must also affect your ability to work or take care of yourself, and your condition and restrictions have been verified by a healthcare provider. 

The other ODSP eligibility requirements that you must meet include:

• Being at least 18 years old
• Being an Ontario resident
• Be in financial need
• Have assets that don’t exceed the program limit

Income Requirements for ODSP

When it comes to your income, only certain types of income qualify for ODSP, such as employment insurance and employment income. There are some types of income that aren’t included as annual income, and don’t count towards your ODSP income limit. These include:

• Child support payments
• Ontario Student Assistance Program loans and grants provide financial aid for education
• Payments from a Registered Disability Savings Plan
• Some federal tax benefits, such as the Canada Child Tax Benefit
• Some provincial tax benefits, such as the Ontario Child Benefit

There are also some exempt assets which aren’t included in your asset limit. These include:

• Your primary residence that you own
• Your primary vehicle
• Registered Education Savings Plans
• Registered Disability Savings Plans
• Necessary household and personal items
• Pre-paid funerals
• Cash surrender value of life insurance policies
• Trust funds from inheritance or life insurance policies

Excluding these items, the asset limit is $40,000 for a single person and $50,000 for a couple. 

How to Apply for ODSP

When it comes to applying for ODSP, there are a few different ways that you can go about it. The easiest way to complete your application online. You only need to fill out one application for you and your eligible family members, and it only takes 20 - 30 minutes to complete.

However, it can take a few months before your application can get approved, so you may be able to get Ontario Works payments while you wait. 

When you start completing your online application, you will need your family members there to complete it with you. You’ll also need the following required documents for everyone:

• Birth Certificates
• SIN numbers
• Immigration Papers
• Banking Information
• Tax Returns
• OHIP Cards

You’ll have to complete everyone's required personal information, and then you’ll be able to submit the application. However, just because you’ve completed the application doesn’t mean that the application process is complete. Someone from your local ODSP office will be in touch within 15 business days in order to schedule an appointment. 

At the scheduled appointment, an intake caseworker will meet with you for what is called a verification appointment. At this meeting, extra documentation may be required, and you’ll be asked to sign your application package. You’ll also be asked to consent to ODSP accessing information about you from other Canadian government organizations. After this meeting, though, you should know within 15 business days if you’re financially eligible for ODSP. 

Disability Determination Package

Before the ODSP application process is complete, you’ll have to complete the disability determination package once you’ve been financially approved. Those who are considered to be members of a prescribed class don’t have to complete this step. These situations include:

• Being 65 but not approved for Old Age Security
• People who get Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits
• People who get Quebec Pension Plan Disability Benefits

As well as many other situations. However, the rest of the application still has to be completed. 

If you do have to complete the package, you’ll have to take it to an approved healthcare professional in order to get it filled out. It includes:

• An instruction sheet
• A Health Status Report
• An Activities of Daily Living Index
• A Self Report
• A Consent to the Release of Medical Information

Once all of this is done, you’ll receive a letter from the Disability Adjudication Unit to let you know of their decision. You should receive this within 90 days of the ODSP application process being completed. 

Other ODSP Benefits

Even if you’re approved for ODSP, this doesn’t mean that you aren’t eligible for other benefits. There are added benefits that you can get if you’re approved for ODSP, but you can also receive other benefits that are part of the Ontario Social Assistance Program. These benefits include:

1. Ontario Works
2. Temporary Care Assistance
3. Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities

Ontario Works is for those who are in temporary financial need. It’s also available to those facing a temporary financial crisis due to an emergency. Temporary care assistance is for those looking after a child who needs financial help but isn’t the child’s birth or adoptive parent. Assistance for children with severe disabilities provides extra money to help with the extra costs associated with caring for a child that has a severe disability. 

ODSP Employment Supports

As part of the ODSP program, you could be eligible for ODSP employment support as well as ODSP income support. In order to qualify, you need to be:

• 16 years old
• An Ontario resident
• Be legally allowed to work in Canada
• Have a disability that can last more than a year and make it difficult to find a job

You don’t have to have ODSP to be eligible for employment assistance from employment support. 

ODSP Payment Increases

Recently, there have been quite a few increases in ODSP payments. This is because some ODSP rates are now tied to inflation. Once these rates have been increased, recipients will start receiving these higher payments at the end of July. 

The most recent ODSP increase was made in July of 2024 and resulted in a 4.5% increase in some ODSP benefits. The Benefits that saw this increase were:

• Basic needs and shelter amounts (singles and families)
• Board and lodge amounts (singles and families)
• Amounts for the services by Long Term Care Homes and Specialized Care Residences
• Amounts for couples who both have disabilities

Overview

If you live in Ontario and have been diagnosed with a severe and prolonged disability that affects your ability to work and support yourself, then you may be eligible to start receiving ODSP payments. Even if you qualify for other disability benefits, you can still qualify for ODSP benefits to help supplement your income. 

In order to qualify for disability, you will have to have a doctor confirm your disability and fill out an online application. Once you’ve completed the application, you’ll then have to meet with an intake caseworker to verify and confirm your financial status. In total, the whole process can end up taking a few months to complete. That’s why it’s best to apply as soon as you’re able to.