The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is a social assistance program that provides essential financial aid and health benefits to adults in Ontario with physical or developmental disabilities. It is managed by the Ministry of Community, Family and Children’s Services and is intended for individuals who meet specific medical and financial eligibility criteria.

Who Is Eligible?

While understanding how to qualify and apply for ODSP is a key first step, it’s just as important to learn how the program works. Including its restrictions and income rules to ensure ongoing access to benefits when they’re needed most.

To qualify for ODSP, applicants must:

What Does ODSP Provide?

01

Monthly Income Support

ODSP provides a tax-free monthly payment to help cover basic living expenses. The amount varies based on living arrangements and income sources:

Up to $1,408/month (as of 2025) for a single person living in a rental or ownership housing situation
$1,065/month for someone living with family or in a board-and-lodge arrangement

These amounts are indexed annually for inflation starting July 2025.

Income and Asset Rules

ODSP benefits may be reduced if the person with a disability has employment or other sources of income. In some cases, high income could disqualify someone from receiving ODSP altogether.

However, recipients are allowed to receive voluntary payments of up to $10,000 per 12-month period without affecting eligibility. There is also no limit on money received for disability-related expenses, provided they meet ODSP’s defined criteria.

02

Health Benefits

If you receive ODSP income support, you and your family are eligible for:

Prescription Drug Coverage

Covers medications listed in the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary, when prescribed by an approved healthcare provider
Show your health card, photo ID, or ODSP statement at the pharmacy
A co-payment of up to $2 per prescription may apply if you’re 25 or older
For drugs not listed, your doctor can request special approval from the Ministry of Health

Dental Coverage

You and your spouse may qualify for basic dental care, with extra services if your disability or medication affects your oral health
Children under 18 are automatically covered through the Healthy Smiles Ontario program
Dependents 18 and older may be eligible for dental coverage through Ontario Works discretionary benefits

03

Special Diet Allowance

ODSP recipients and their family members on the same file may be eligible for a Special Diet Allowance of up to $250/month if they have a medical condition that requires a prescribed diet. This allowance is part of the overall ODSP budget, not a separate benefit.

An approved healthcare professional (e.g., doctor, nurse practitioner, dietitian, or midwife) must complete the Special Diet Allowance application
Recipients must submit the completed form to their local ODSP office
Those living in institutions (as defined under ODSP rules) are not eligible, as their dietary needs are already provided for

04

Employment Supports

ODSP offers a range of services to help individuals with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep employment. These Employment Supports can include:

Help create a personalized employment plan
Job preparation and training
Job coaching and placement services
Assistive devices and technical aids
Interpreter, intervener, or notetaker services
Transportation assistance during training programs

These supports aim to reduce employment barriers and promote independence.

What Happens at Age 65?

ODSP benefits typically continue until the recipient turns 65. At that time, ODSP is replaced by federal income programs, including:

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
Old Age Security (OAS)
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
Canada Dental Care Plan

ODSP Asset Regulations

To qualify for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), recipients must stay within strict asset limits. As of September 1, 2017, a single person can hold up to $40,000 in liquid assets, and a married couple can hold up to $50,000, plus $500 for each dependent child. Exceeding these limits may disqualify someone from receiving benefits.

What Are Liquid Assets?

There is no formal definition, but liquid assets generally include cash or anything that can be easily converted to cash, such as:

Bank accounts
Stocks, bonds, GICs, mutual funds
Certain TFSAs and RRSPs
In-trust accounts
Valuable collections (e.g., coins or stamps)

Exempt Assets (Not Counted Against ODSP Limits)

You can own the following without affecting eligibility:

Personal and Real Property

Your principal residence
A second property, if medically necessary
One vehicle of any value
A second vehicle (up to $15,000) if used for work

Financial and Business Assets

Tools of the trade or farm assets
Business assets (up to $20,000)
Student loans, grants, bursaries
Income earned by dependent children
Registered accounts: RESPs, RDSPs
Locked-in RRSPs and Seg Funds (up to $100,000)
Prepaid funeral plans
Some gifts, if used within set timelines:
- RESP/RDSP contributions: 6 months
- Home purchase: 12 months
- Vehicle or rent deposit: 6 months

Settlements and Trusts

Up to $100,000 from an inheritance or life insurance, if held in trust
Unlimited amounts in a Henson Trust
Insurance and legal compensation for pain, suffering, or loss of companionship
Aboriginal land claim settlements
Retroactive ODSP income support (exempt for 6 months)

Employment and Education

Earnings while attending high school
Post-secondary student earnings
Loans for exempt asset purchases or rent deposits

ODSP Income Regulations

ODSP considers a wide range of income sources when determining eligibility and benefit amounts. While employment income is common, many other types of income may affect ODSP support. There are also specific exemptions—only a summary of typical, non-exempt income is provided below.

Common Types of Counted Income

Employment income (wages, salaries, training stipends)
Business income (self-employed or partnership revenue)
Pension and annuity payments, including foreign pensions
Spousal support (cash or in-kind)
Rental income:
- 60% of gross income from self-contained units, land, or garages
- Greater of $100 or 60% of income from room-only rentals
- Greater of $100 or 40% of income from room-and-board rentals
Trust income (interest/dividends from non-exempt trusts)
Investment income, such as interest from compensation awards, life insurance dividends, and mortgage payments
Retainers from Children’s Aid for emergency care
Support from immigration sponsorship agreements
Proceeds from selling assets (unless exempt)

Income Replacement Payment

ODSP also treats income replacement benefits as income, including:

Workplace injury benefits (WSIB, WCB)
Canada/Quebec Pension Plan disability benefits
Employment Insurance
War pensions and allowances
Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement
Other provincial or federal income replacement programs

ODSP Income Exemptions — What Doesn’t Affect Your Benefits

Employment Income

First $1,000/month of earnings are exempt.
Earnings of dependent children or adults in school are fully exempt.

Family & Support Payments

Child support payments are exempt.
Up to $10,000 per 12-month period in gifts, honorariums, and trust payments.
Unlimited gifts used for first and last month’s rent, vehicle, or disability-related expenses.

Housing & Assets

Proceeds from selling your principal residence if used to buy another home or exempt asset.
Forgivable loans/grants from housing programs are exempt.
Mortgage payments from disability insurance are exempt.

Education

RESP withdrawals and contributions used for education.
Bursaries, scholarships, and government education grants.
Education loans for approved programs.

Disability-Related Income

Unlimited contributions and withdrawals from RDSPs.
Compensation awards for pain, suffering, and disability expenses.
WSIB Non-Economic Loss awards.

Government Benefits & Tax Credits

Canada Child Benefit, Ontario Child Benefit, and other tax credits.
Orphan benefits and child care supplements.

Legal & Insurance Settlements

Compensation for pain and suffering (up to $100,000).
Insurance payments to replace exempt assets or for temporary living costs.

Trusts, Life Insurance & Loans

Trusts and life insurance cash values up to $100,000 exempt.
Loans for disability, education, or exempt assets.

Other Exemptions

Jury duty payments.
Adoption subsidies.
Payments from Children’s Aid Society and ODSP employment supports.

Note: This summary covers common exemptions, but ODSP rules can be complex. For specific questions, contact your caseworker or a benefits specialist.

Medical Qualification
Definition of Disability (ODSP)

To qualify for ODSP benefits, a person must be both financially eligible (a person in need) and medically eligible (a person with a disability).

What Is a “Person with a Disability” Under ODSP?

You may qualify if:

You have a substantial physical or mental impairment;
The impairment is expected to last 12 months or more (even if it is episodic or cyclical); and
The impairment significantly restricts your ability to perform daily activities in at least one of the following areas:
- Personal Care (e.g., dressing, grooming, bathing)
- Community Activities (e.g., shopping, banking)
- Workplace Activities (e.g., following instructions)

ODSP focuses on how your impairment limits your daily life, not on a medical diagnosis or “label.”

The ODSP qualification process is complex. Even if a person meets the medical criteria, they may still be denied benefits due to excess income or assets. Proper financial planning is crucial to avoid unintentionally disqualifying a person with a disability—especially when managing gifts, inheritances, or trust distributions.

To find your local ODSP office CLICK HERE