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TheOntario Disability Support Program (ODSP)[1] is ameans-tested government-funded last resort income support paid for qualifying residents in the province ofOntario,Canada, who are at least eighteen years of age and have adisability.[2] ODSP and Ontario Works (OW)[3] are the two main components of Ontario'ssocial assistance system. Like mostsocial programs in Canada, the program is funded by the government of the province. TheMinistry of Community and Social Services is responsible for ODSP and OW.[4]
This is unlikeSocial Security Disability in theUnited 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 likejob searching, orvocational training. This is determined through a subjective evaluation of four criteria[2] that are defined within the ODSP Act:[5]
For recipients wishing to work, an optional component provides employment support funding, such as referral to a specializedemployment counsellor.[7]
ODSP is meant to replace the income lost due to the recipient's disability making them unable to work enough to gainself-sufficiency and thus has a higher rate of assistance and asset limits than Ontario Works does.
The program is paid monthly to a "benefit unit" which can consist of a single person between 18 and 65 (or a senior citizen who is ineligible forOld Age Security orCanada Pension Plan) and any others who may require the person's support. This can be any correspondingdependent adults who do not qualify for assistance (though they are subject toworkfare requirements), children under the individual's care, or a spouse. The ODSP benefit has two main components: a fixedbasic needs allowance, and an amount for housing that is variable. For those who do not have independent cooking facilities and/or cannot provide grocery receipts, a "Board and Lodging" amount is provided instead. All costs are verified through submitted receipts and information sharing among other government agencies.
In addition to employment supports and financial assistance, the ODSP provides health-related benefits to assist recipients with their medical needs.[8] These include:
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