How to apply
You can apply by phone or online. You can also apply in person. But in some areas you must make an appointment first.
To apply by phone, call the Social Assistance Contact Centre at 1-888-999-1142. For TTY, call 1-800-387-5559.
To apply online, go to ontario.ca/page/ontario-disabilitysupport-program.
To apply in person, find the phone number and address of your local ODSP office at www.officelocator.mcss.gov.on.ca.
Part 1: Your income and assets
In the first part of the application process, you give information about your household’s income and assets. This is how the ODSP decides if you qualify financially.
Part 2: Your disability
If your income and assets are low enough, the ODSP gives you a Disability Determination Package. There are 4 forms in it.
Your health professional fills out 2 of the forms and you fill out 2.
The DAU uses this information to decide if you’re a person with a disability.
Fill out the forms and send them to the DAU within 90 days of getting the package.
If you cannot make the deadline, you can ask the DAU for more time.
Forms you fill out
You fill out the Consent to Release Medical Information and the Self Report.
The consent form lets your health professional send the DAU the medical information that supports your application.
The Self Report lets you give more details about your health problems and how much they affect your life. This can help you show the DAU that you qualify for ODSP.
You do not have to fill out the Self Report. But you must sign it and send it in.
Forms your health professional fills out
Your health professional fills out the Health Status Report and the Activities of Daily Living Index.
These are the health professionals who can fill out your Health Status Report:
- a family doctor or a specialist
- a psychologist or a psychological associate
- an optometrist
- a registered nurse or a nurse practitioner
In the report, the health professional confirms that:
- you have one or more physical or mental health problems that are substantial,
- these problems will likely last for at least one year, and
- your health problems make it very hard to do some or all of your daily tasks. This includes being able to work, look after yourself, or do things at home or in the community.
The Activities of Daily Living Index can be filled out by one of the health professionals listed above, or by one of the following:
- an audiologist or a speech language pathologist
- an occupational therapist or a physiotherapist
- a chiropractor
- a social worker
The health professional rates and describes how much your health problems limit you from:
- working
- looking after yourself
- doing things at home and in the community
The same health professional can fill out both forms. Or different health professionals can fill them out.
Before or while they’re filling out the forms, tell your health professional about your disability and how it affects your life.
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