Disability benefits in Ontario: Who can get them and how to apply

Is this resource for you?

Read this to find out how to apply to the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) for income support. ODSP is for people who have serious health problems. The resource explains:

• how to apply
• what people have to show to qualify
• what you can do if you are refused income support

Other resources that may help you

• Appealing a decision about social assistance explains what to do if ODSP cuts off, reduces, or refuses to give you income support
• CPP Disability Benefits
• Workers’ Compensation: Making a claim

CLEO has more resources on social assistance and other legal topics.

If you speak French

Ask a lawyer or a community legal clinic about your language rights. You have the right to get government services related to the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) in French.

If you are appealing a decision about your right to social assistance from ODSP, this could mean that you have the right to a hearing before a French-speaking member of the Social Benefts Tribunal, as well as other French language services.

Si vous parlez français

Communiquez avec un avocat ou une clinique juridique communautaire, et informez-vous de vos droits linguistiques. Vous avez droit à ce que les services gouvernementaux reliés au Programme ontarien de soutien aux personnes handicapées (POSPH) vous soient fournis en français.

Si vous avez fait appel d’une décision concernant votre droit à l’aide sociale du POSPH, vous pourriez avoir droit à une audience devant un membre du Tribunal de l’aide sociale qui parle français, de même qu’à d’autres services en français.