What are the eligible requirements for ODSP Income Support?

The qualification process for ODSP generally takes several weeks up to sometimes several months.

To qualify for ODSP income support, you must:
  • be at least 18 years old
  • be an Ontario resident
  • be in financial need and
  • meet the program’s definition of a person with a disability, or be a member of a Prescribed Class​​
Note: If you’re under 18, you can start the application process up to six months before your 18th birthday.

What is "Financial Need"?

ODSP assess clients to be in financial need if the costs of your household’s basic living expenses are more than your household’s income and assets.

To determine if you meet the criteria for financial need, your ODSP caseworker will examine documents that show your your household’s housing and shelter-related costs and any money coming into your household, as well as the value of assets belonging to members of the household.​

Only an ODSP caseworker can decide if you're financially eligible for ODSP.

How is "Disability" defined?

How is disability defined?
To meet ODSP's definition of a person with a diability:
  • you have a substantial mental or physical impairment that is continuous or recurrent, and is expected to last one year or more,
  • your impairment directly results in a substantial restriction in your ability to work, care for yourself, or take part in community life, and
  • your impairment, its duration and restrictions have been verified by an approved health care professional.
​
Only specialized ministry staff can determine if you meet the program’s definition of a person with a disability.

What is a "Prescribed Class" for ODSP?

Prescribed classes are specific categories of people who do not have to go through the disability adjudication process to qualify for ODSP Income Support. People in these categories must still apply and meet all other ODSP eligibility requirements to be found eligible for ODSP Income Support.

Members of prescribed classes include:

  • A person who, on May 31, 1998, was a recipient, or the spouse of a recipient, of benefits under specific case classes under the Family Benefits Act, 1992.
  • A person who is 65+ years old and not eligible for Old Age Security (OAS).
  • People who receive Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D) benefits or Quebec Pension Plan Disability (QPP-D) benefits
  • A person who was a former resident of a Schedule 1 facility under the former Development Service Act (DSA), who ceased to be resident of that facility on or after June 1, 1998.
  • A person who is already determined eligible for services and supports and funding under the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008 (SIPDDA). 
  • Persons residing in one of the following places (but only while residing there):
    • A facility that was a former Provincial Psychiatric Hospital
    • The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (in Toronto)
    • The Homewood Health Centre (in Guelph)
    • A home licensed under the Homes for Special Care Act