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The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)[1] is a means-tested government-funded last resort income support paid for qualifying residents in the province of Ontario, Canada, who are at least eighteen years of age and have a disability.[2] ODSP and Ontario Works (OW)[3] are the two main components of Ontario's social assistance system. Like most social programs in Canada, the program is funded by the government of the province.[citation needed] The Ministry of Community and Social Services is responsible for ODSP and OW.[4]
This is unlike Social Security Disability in the United States which is a federally funded program under the umbrella of an Old Age Pension but provides similar benefits — regardless of the state of residence.
The ODSP is defined by provincial legislation, the ODSP Act, and its supporting regulations.[5] It is managed through policy directives.[6]
Unlike Ontario Works, ODSP does not require recipients to undertake employment-related activities like job searching, or vocational training. This is determined through a subjective evaluation of four criteria[2] that are defined within the ODSP Act:[5]
- The disability is continuous or recurrent;
- It is expected to last for a year or more;
- The disability significantly limits their ability to work, look after themselves, or get out in the community; and
- It has been verified by an approved health professional.
For recipients wishing to work, an optional component provides employment support funding, such as referral to a specialized employment counsellor.[7]
ODSP is meant to replace the income lost due to the recipient's disability making them unable to work enough to gain self-sufficiency and thus has a higher rate of assistance and asset limits than Ontario Works does.
- ^ "About the Ontario Disability Support Program". Ontario Government. Archived from the original on 2014-01-01. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
- ^ a b "ODSP: Who is eligible". Ontario Government. Archived from the original on 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
- ^ "About Ontario Works". Ontario Government. Archived from the original on 2014-01-03. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
- ^ "About Social Assistance". Ontario MCSS. Archived from the original on 2011-08-19. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
- ^ a b "Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997 ONTARIO REGULATION 222/98". Ontario Gazette. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
- ^ "Social Assistance Directives". Archived from the original on 2011-08-13. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
- ^ "Employment Supports: What it is". Ontario MCSS. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.