What is ODSP?
According to the Ontario Government, the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) was created “to meet the unique needs of disabled residents of Ontario through the provision of income and support to help recipients find meaningful employment.
ODSP is a social assistance program that provides financial support to eligible residents of Ontario who have disabilities fulfilling their essential needs and promoting independence.
The purpose of ODSP is to pay for necessities of life, including housing, food, clothes, and transportation. Prescription drugs, dental and vision care, and mobility device upkeep and repair are all worthwhile extra perks. Since the program is only to be used as a last choice, you must exhaust all other options for income (such as a job, a disability benefit from the Canada Pension Plan, a workplace safety benefit, and the Insurance Board) before resorting to ODSP.
What are the ODSP payment dates for 2024?
From January to November, ODSP payments are issued on the last business day of each month. In December, payments are issued a few days early to account for holiday delays and closures. Payments are on the last business day of each month. December payments may be available earlier in the month.
ODS payment dates for 2024 are:
| Benefit Month | Payment Dates |
| January | January 31, 2024 |
| February | February 29, 2024 |
| March | March 28, 2024 |
| April | April 30, 2024 |
| May | May 31, 2024 |
| June | June 28, 2024 |
| July | July 31, 2024 |
| August | August 30, 2024 |
| September | September 27, 2024 |
| October | October 31, 2024 |
| November | November 29, 2024 |
| December | TBD |
Qualifying for ODSP 2024 Eligibility
To qualify for ODSP, you need to meet certain eligibility criteria. Here’s a quick overview of the ODSP eligibility requirements.
Your financial eligibility will be assessed first, followed by your disability status (unless you are a member of a prescribed class, in which case you won’t need your disability assessed).
If you meet the financial qualifications, you’ll receive a package of forms to fill out with your healthcare practitioner about your disability, and then your eligibility for ODSP will be assessed.
Keep in mind that even if you are not eligible for ODSP income support, you may still be eligible for ODSP employment support, which helps Ontarians with disabilities find and/or keep a job, and advance their careers.
Minors can apply up to 6 months in advance from their 18th birthday.
Proving Financial Need - You are considered to need financial assistance if your basic living expenses exceed your household’s income and assets.
When applying for ODSP income support, your caseworker will inquire about the following information to determine your total assets and income:
Your caseworker is the one that will validate your need for financial assistance. They will ask for your consent to contact third parties to gather more information about your situation to determine your eligibility for this benefit.
The caseworker will give you and your healthcare provider(s) a Disability Determination Package. Once it’s filled out and submitted, the MCCSS staff will review the application to determine whether you meet the program’s definition of a person with a disability.
ODSP Application Process
The ODSP application is a 5-step process:
1. Apply for ODSP online: Fill out some personal information on behalf of you and your family, including income information and expenses. The process generally takes between 20 to 30 minutes.
2. Even if you start your application online know that you’ll have to visit your local office still to complete the application. A caseworker will reach out to schedule an in-take meeting within five days. In this interview, you may be asked to show bills and other documents supporting your claims.
You will be required to bring in documents to help the caseworker verify the following information:
a) Personal information – Bring documents such as birth certificates, immigration papers, passports, Canadian citizenship cards, or permanent resident cards.
b) Cumulative household income – Tax return and pay stubs for all family members in your household at least 18 years or older. Also, include statements from pension programs such as CPP, WSIB Benefits, employment income, profits from a business, spousal support, sponsorship payment, OAS benefits, loans, and more.
Exempted income sources include Canada Child Benefit, Ontario Child Benefit, RDSP payments, OSAP loans for education, and child support.
3. Meeting with your caseworker to review your application
During the meeting with your caseworker, you will be required to sign the following forms:
You may be required to sign additional information depending on your circumstances.
The last two forms mentioned on the list above authorize decision-makers to collect information about you from other programs and government agencies to determine your eligibility to receive ODSP benefits.
4. Decision notification
If additional documents are not needed, you’ll know whether or not you’re financially eligible for ODSP income support within 15 business days of your meeting with the caseworker.
If you’re not found to be financially eligible, you can request an internal review within 30 days of receiving the decision.
If they find you financially eligible, you will receive a Disability Determination Package. This package has two parts:
Disability Determination Package covers:
Medical professionals authorized to complete both parts of the Disability Determination Package include physicians, registered nurses, psychologists, optometrists, and ophthalmologists.
Medical professionals who are only authorized to complete the Activities of Daily Life Index are audiologists, chiropractors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and social workers.
5. Once all the Disability Determination Package forms are complete, send them to the ODSP Disability Adjudication Unit.
There, specialized staff called Adjudicators will review the contents of the package and determine whether or not you meet the program’s definition of a person with a disability.
This process can take time if your application is complex. Only 25 percent of the applications get reviewed within ten days. The rest take up to 90 business days.
Once the decision is made, your local ODSP office will contact you to arrange a meeting with your case worker. If you’re eligible, they will outline when you can expect your payments and help you create a plan.
ODSP Benefits 2024 – How Much Will I Receive
Those eligible for ODSP can receive income support and employment support.
Income support
If you rent or own your home, you will receive a monthly payment that covers:
Basic Needs
The basic needs portion of your ODSP income support is meant to help cover the cost of:
The amount of income support payable for basic needs is calculated monthly and determined based on the family size, age of dependants, geographic location, and the individual circumstances of the benefit unit.
The amount you receive for basic needs will differ based on
A table shows ODSP income support rates in 2024 for basic needs-related expenses:
| Number of Dependants other than a Spouse | Dependants 18 Years or Older | Dependants 0-17 Years | Recipient See Note 1 | Recipient and Spouse See Note 2 | Recipient and Spouse See Note 3 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | $752 | $1,085 | $1,501 |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | $752 | $1,085 | $1,501 |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | $1,166 | $1,296 | $1,712 |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | $752 | $1,085 | $1,501 |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | $1,166 | $1,296 | $1,712 |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | $1,378 | $1,532 | $1,948 |
Note 1. A recipient if there is no spouse included in the benefit unit.
Note 2. A recipient with a spouse included in the benefit unit if Note 3 does not apply.
Note 3. A recipient with a spouse is included in the benefit unit if each of the recipients and the spouse is a person with a disability.
For each additional dependant, add $237 if the dependant is 18 years of age or older, and $0 if the dependant is 0 to 17 years of age.
The calculation of income support for a recipient with a spouse included in the benefit unit, where each person with a disability under the ODSP Act, is subject to a maximum of $2,205 per month. Where there are dependants included in the benefit unit, additional allowances and benefits are added to the maximum amount.
Remote Communities Allowance
| Dependants other than spouse | Recipient | Recipient and Spouse |
| 0 | 272 | 431 |
| 1 | 430 | 530 |
| 2 | 526 | 628 |
Each additional dependent will get $102.
Source: Ontario.ca
Shelter Allowance
The shelter allowance is meant to help cover:
The amount you receive for the shelter allowance is based on your actual shelter costs, up to a maximum depending on the number of people in your family.
| Benefit Unit Size | Maximum Monthly Shelter Allowance |
| 1 | $552 |
| 2 | $875 |
| 3 | $947 |
| 4 | $1027 |
| 5 | $1109 |
| 6 and more | $1149 |
Source: Ontario.ca
Upon request, or at the time of update, shelter costs are reassessed for the period under review to ensure the correct amount of assistance was provided. If the verified amount was too low, and the recipient was not receiving the maximum shelter amount, arrears can be provided up to the maximum amount allowable in the shelter table. If the average monthly amount input is too high, an overpayment will be established and recovery will commence.
You may also receive an amount for a second residence if you or your spouse is temporarily required to participate in a training program to improve your employment prospects. You can receive up to $455 for this temporary accommodation.
Health-related benefits
If you’re eligible to receive ODSP’s income support, you may also qualify for its myriad of health benefits such as
Anyone under 18 years old in your family will automatically get coverage through the government’s Healthy Smiles Ontario program.
If you have dependants 18 years of age or older, they may be able to get dental coverage through Ontario Works discretionary benefits.
The Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Nutritional Allowance may provide you or a family member with either:
The allowance may be paid until the baby reaches 12 months of age.
Source: Ontario.ca
Employment benefits
MCCSS understands that those with disabilities would like to work and reach their financial goals. This is why they provide an array of work-related benefits to aid disabled individuals and their eligible family members to earn money from a job, join a training program, or even start a business.
You can obtain support for the following:
If you want to start your own business, you can get help with:
Eligible family members include your spouse or children who are 18 years of age or older and are not a full-time student.
You and eligible family members may receive $500 in 12 months to cover work-related costs such as clothing, uniforms, licensing fees, work boots, tools and special equipment, and transportation.
Source: Ontario.ca
Applying for Employment Support
You do not have to meet the financial eligibility requirement to obtain employment support. To procure work-related assistance, download and fill out “Application for Employment Supports.”
Then, an approved healthcare professional will need to complete a Verification of Disability/Impairment. This isn’t necessary if you’re already receiving Income Support payments.
You will then have to give your consent to release medical information. This is important so that the MSSCC office can gather your medical information from your healthcare providers and verify your disability.
Can You Work and Still Get ODSP?
Yes, you can work and still be eligible to receive ODSP. MCCSS encourages its ODSP recipients to work to make the most of the financial help they’re receiving through the benefit payment.
Those who work while on ODSP are much better off financially than those who live on the benefits alone.
Adults in your family can earn up to $200 each month while still receiving the same ODSP payment. For every dollar you make above $200, your benefit will only be reduced by 50 cents.
You can preserve more of your benefit if you’re a working parent who needs to pay for child care or if you need specialized equipment due to your disability to do your job.
If you’re currently a full-time student who’s working part-time, then your income, regardless of the amount, won’t affect the ODSP benefit amount at all.
How to receive ODSP payments?
There are three ways you can receive your ODSP payment:
The easiest, quickest, and safest way to receive your ODSP payment every month is by signing up for direct deposit.
That way, your payment will automatically be deposited in your bank account on the dates outlined above.
If you don’t have a bank account, another option is a reloadable payment card.
It works similarly to a debit card, but without being associated with a bank account.
The ODSP payments get electronically loaded onto the card, and you can use a PIN to withdraw money from any ATM, for online shopping, and to pay at stores.
While direct deposit and reloadable payment cards are the most commonly used payment methods, you may also be eligible to receive the payment in the form of a cheque every month.
However, they are only issued this way under exceptional circumstances, such as (but not limited to):
Changes In ODSP 2024
As of 2024, there are no existing plans to augment the payments disbursed by the ODSP. Nevertheless, the program recognizes the potential need for future adjustments to accommodate inflation and the increasing cost of living.
As per the ODSP Increase in 2024 Latest Update “increases to rates and benefits to reflect inflation and cost of living will drive additional costs” in the years to come, but it does not refer to any particular plans to increase the money for the programs.
Conclusion
ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) payment dates for 2024 have been announced, providing recipients with valuable information on when they can expect to receive their financial assistance. These payment dates are essential for individuals who rely on the program to meet their basic needs and manage their expenses. By knowing when their payments will be deposited into their accounts, ODSP recipients can better plan and budget for their financial obligations throughout the year. Recipients need to stay informed about these payment dates and ensure that they are aware of any changes or updates that may occur. The ODSP program plays a crucial role in supporting individuals with disabilities in Ontario, and these payment dates help ensure a smooth and efficient distribution of funds.
If you are encountering any challenges in applying for ODSP benefits, feel free to reach out to Filing Taxes at 416-479-8532. Schedule an NTR engagement appointment with us and take the first step toward proper management of your finances.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is intended to provide general information. The information does not consider your personal situation and is not intended to be used without consultation from accounting and financial professionals. Salman Rundhawa and Filing Taxes will not be held liable for any problems that arise from the usage of the information provided on this page.
Considered as a non-refundable tax credit to help the people with disabilities in Canada, the Disability Tax Credit in Canada aims to support such people by reducing their tax liability. Once eligible for Disability Tax Credit (DTC), the person is eligible to claim the specified amount.
With the lump sum of $25,000 and $ 2500 per year including the future as well as current taxes, these refunds are considered important for the people suffering from specified medical conditions.
If you want to know more about Canada Disability Tax Credit (DTC), this article is for you!
If you are suffering from a prolonged physical impairment or distorted mental functions with a lasting continuous period of at least 12 months and present for at least 90% of during such time, you are eligible to claim the disability tax credit Canada.
Some of the categories for individual impairments are as follows:
Even if an individual with the impairment is having a job, he qualifies for the disability tax credit. The impairment obstructing the daily activities (as listed above) does not include housekeeping, working, social functions, or recreation.
The impairment along with its duration and side-effects should be certified by a qualified medical practitioner. All the charges incurred to certify by a medical practitioner can be claimed as medical expenses in your income tax on lines 330 and 331.
To apply for a disability tax credit in Canada, you must complete and submit the certified form T2201 and Disability Tax Credit Certificate to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Log in to the CRA website to get the T2201 certificate. Part B of the form must be completed and certified by a medical practitioner.
Steps to apply for a disability tax credit in Canada
The people with more than 90% of physical or mental impairment which is duly certified by the medical practitioner and are suffering from more than 12 months qualified for the disability tax credit. They must be incompetent to perform two or more basic daily activities.
Some of the medical conditions which qualify for disability credit are as follows:
The non-refundable DTC is prescribed at $8,416 for an adult. An additional supplement of $5,003 is given to the child under the age of 8 leading to a total of $13,416.
Conclusion
If you are a citizen of Canada and suffering from any disability, you may consider the disability tax credit to receive the refund for the specified amount. It can also be claimed for your dependents under various inline sections.
Still, have a question? Feel free to reach out to Filing Taxes at 416-479-8532
Canada Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable credit that can be used to reduce your taxes owed. The Disabled Tax Credit is available to people with severe or persistent physical or mental impairment. Therefore, depending on the situation, you can claim this credit for yourself or on behalf of your loved one.
If you are having any difficulty in speaking, hearing, walking, feeding yourself, or some other severe ailment that affects your day-to-day living, then you have a chance of being qualified.
Some of the conditions include:
After Form T2201 is received by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), then it will estimate the validity of your claim.
If the rating agency decides that you are eligible for the DTC in previous tax years, you can submit it for that credit. You can also do this by submitting Form T1-ADJ by mail or through your CRA account. The rating agency will then review your adjustment requests and send you the refunds due.
A person with a learning disability may be eligible, but it all depends on the severity of the disability and how it affects daily life. For approval, even you can work with your healthcare professional to develop the strongest case for the difficulties you face living with a learning disability.
Even, you can rate your DTC in My CRA Account. To subscribe to the CRA's "My Account" online service, you must provide your social security number, date of birth, current postcode, and information from your most recent tax return to prove your identity. Hence, you get the approval for the DTC.
For more details, you can call us or visit our website if you want to know about Disability Tax Credit in Canada.
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