How Much is Disability Paycheck in Ontario? (2023)

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is a Canadian government-funded last resort income that is usually paid to qualifying residents i.e residents living with a disability in the province of Ontario who is above the age of 18. It is a part of Ontario’s social assistance system alongside Ontario’s work.

The average amount people with a disability receive in Ontario is $1,169 per month for basic needs and shelter if the person is single. However, the individual can receive more than $1,169 per month for other expenses like transportation, medical appointments, and also if the person is not single or has a child or children.

The ODSP was created in June 1998 and has been a major player in the Ontario social assistance program. It serves as a safe haven for people living with a disability providing residents of the province of Ontario living with disabilities a source of income. The recipients of the ODSP however have some responsibilities required of them like;

• Attending Periodic Interviews- they will have to meet with the ODSP staff from time to time
• Keeping Receipts and Statements- they need to show proof of expenses such as receipts for rent, housing costs, income tax, child care cost e.t.c.
• Reporting other sources of income
• Reporting Other Changes- for example, A change to living conditions, arrests, starting work.

How Much is Disability Paycheck in Ontario?

The number of money individuals with disabilities gets in the Province of Ontario depends on certain factors which is majorly the unit size of the family. This means the paycheck is for single people is different from couples, single parents, and couples with children. A single person living with a disability receives $1,169 which covers basic needs and shelter. These are the amounts received by various units in the Ontario Disability Support Program.

• Single: These are single individuals living with a disability they can be either male or female and they receive $672 monthly for basic needs and $497 monthly for shelter needs which makes a total of $1,169 per month and $14,028 annually. Extra stipends can be given to these people for expenses like transportation and medication when necessary.
• Single Parent + 1 child: Single Parent with one child in the Province of Ontario is eligible for a basic need income of $815 monthly and $781 monthly for shelter which amounts to a total of $1,596 per month and $19,152 every year. The paycheck is meant for the parent to cater to both his/her needs and the child’s needs.
• Single Parent + 2 children: Disability checks for single parents with 2 children stands at $815 for basic needs and $846 for shelter needs with a slightly increased shelter allowance to allow for a bigger house. This amounts to a total of $1,661 monthly and $19,932 per annum.
• Couple: This does not mean that both spouses are living with a disability. So, units registered as couples under the ODSP mean one of the couples is living with a disability but he/she is married. Couples under ODSP earn $969 for basic needs and $781 for a housing allowance which amounts to $1,750 per month and $21,000 per annum.
• Couple With One Child: Couples with one child under the ODSP are eligible to receive $969 for basic needs and $846 as housing allowance which makes them earn a total of $1,815 monthly and $21,780 per year.
• Couple With Two children: A couple with two children where one of the couples is registered under ODSP earns $969 per month for the basic needs and earns $918 per month for shelter which amounts to a total of $1,887 per month and $22,644 per year.

It is important to note that all earnings of people registered under the ODSP are exempted from paying tax throughout the year and cash gifts of not more than $10,000 are also exempted from tax under the ODSP laws. In a situation where a couple both have a disability and qualify for ODSP get a maximum of $1,971 per month.

How To Apply for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)?

You can begin the application process to see whether you are financially eligible if you meet the age and residence requirements. This process can be completed online, over the phone, or in-person at your local ODSP office. Offices of the ODSP can be found in the East, North, Central, and West regions of the province, and Toronto. Within 15 business days, a decision is reached on this first stage of application. If you are assessed to be financially eligible for support, your assigned care worker will provide you with a Disability Determination Package (DDP). Your healthcare provider is then obliged to complete the “Health Status Report” (HSR) and “Activities of Daily Living” (ADLI) parts of the DDP. The HSR and ADLI forms can be completed by the following professionals;

• Ophthalmologists
• Optometrists
• Physicians
• Psychological Associates
• Psychologists
• Registered Nurses

Types of Medical Disabilities Covered Under the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

In order to be eligible for ODSP paychecks, there are certain medical conditions you must-have for the ODSP to classify you as having a disability. Some of the medical conditions include;

• Back Problems and Conditions
• Bipolar Mood Disorder
• Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
• Crohn’s Disease
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia
• Heart Disease
• Knee Disorders
• Lupus
• Lyme Disease
• Neck and Cervical Disorders
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Sleep Disorders
• Vestibular Disorders
• Visual Disorders

Related:

• How Much Is Sales Tax In Ontario?
• How Much Is Welfare In Ontario

Requirements Needed to be Eligible for ODSP Paychecks

To be eligible for Disability paychecks in the Province of Ontario, you must meet certain requirements which include you must suffer from either a physical or mental disability that makes it impossible for you to support yourself. This means that;

• You must have an impairment that is supposed to last for at least one year
• The disability you suffer from limits your ability to care for yourself or function at your place of work or in your community.
• The disability you suffer from must be verified by a health care professional in the province of Ontario.

To meet these requirements, you must submit a Disability Determination Package (DDP) which will be provided by your assigned care worker and the HSR and ADLI forms will be filled by selected health professionals which were listed earlier.