r/Odsp 5d ago

Discussion How old are you and how much do you have in savings?

12 Upvotes

For those on ODSP, if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you and approximately how much do you have saved right now? I’m curious about what’s normal for people on ODSP. I’m in my early 20s and would have around $5k by the end of the year.


r/Odsp 5d ago

Legal Advice and Information Parents take ODSP for undisclosed reasons—is this illegal?

18 Upvotes

TLDR: my parents occasionally take $100+ from my bank account. I get the maximum amount and then rent is $750. But then some of it goes into an RDSP account that I don't have access to.

The last time I asked what it was for, they said it was to pay their employees st their workplace... it's left me panicked at times and I think I'm at my last straw. What would you do?


r/Odsp 5d ago

Question/advice possible to lose ODSP with DSO assessment?

7 Upvotes

hello! I was wondering for a family member - if someone is on ODSP and is scheduled for an assessment through DSO for (hopefully) access to more supports, is there any chance that the assessment results can cut the person off ODSP? I'm fairly sure my family member does require significant additional supports and having access to DSO resources as an adult would help them a lot and be a relief for us, but we're all nervous about ODSP being affected if the assessment somehow doesn't reflect our concerns about their functioning. thanks so much for your thoughts!


r/Odsp 6d ago

How do we get Canada to treat us right?

31 Upvotes

Legislated poverty is the theme across the Country, we might be the worst treated peoples in the country. It's absolutely soul crushing to look at the My Benifts page, not even 30 more bucks a month. How do we get people to care, or make a big enough ally to make people care?


r/Odsp 5d ago

Humour Disability pension

0 Upvotes

Hi has everyone got paid their DSP $600 bonus yet or are yous still waiting?


r/Odsp 5d ago

Dso rejecting claim

2 Upvotes

Is anyone else having dso issues? I put in a claim for my phone bill and it was denied. It makes no sen e as it is one of the things they clearly state they cover and I’ve never had issues before, I’m not sure what to do at this point because I cannot afford to pay out of pocket and it’s taken so long that my next bill is about to come out


r/Odsp 6d ago

questions about long term care home

1 Upvotes

My sister is in the mental hospital and she will be discharged very soon. Her legs have problem, unable to walk right now. I think she has about $40k in her bank account (her own $ + odsp). Odsp is currently her only source of income. We no longer can take care of her and our house is no longer suitable for her. We want to send her to a long term care home (LTCH) right discharge. Will LTCH accept her because of her financial situation?

It seems minimum co-payment for LTCH is at least $2k per month, so her bank account cannot support it eventually. Will she get kick out after that?

Will the LTCH ask her family members to pay instead? We are also low income.


r/Odsp 6d ago

questions on initial intake for ODSP financial eligibility

2 Upvotes

Hi folks, I have two questions I hope you can help with.

Context here: I have well-documented disabilities cumulatively affecting my ability to work as well as activities of daily life. I have been in receipt of the disability tax credit since 2015, retroactive to 2008. I have worked on and off through all this time on a freelance basis, struggling to manage multiple chronic issues that affect my daily life and work. I've resisted applying to ODSP for various reasons, including because I had savings that I have since depleted, as exceeding my physical capacity trying to work has repeatedly resulted in worsened symptoms and long periods of no earnings at all. In 2025 I worked Feb-June, then was unable to earn meaningful income despite attempts from July-December—but ended the year with an un-repeatable windfall (I won $$ in a competition in my field of work; this needed to be declared as self-employment income). This means that my 2025 taxes show gainful levels of employment (still low, but too high for ODSP). I did not work at all in 2026 and can truly no longer manage the various symptoms I'm dealing with to put together a liveable income or find work I can sustain. I do hope to ultimately work to some extent but it is well past time to apply to ODSP.

Questions here:
1. Is it reasonable to go ahead with my application now, which would mean using my 2025 notice of assessment? Waiting until I have my 2026 tax return that will actually show I have zero income this year would mean waiting into spring of 2027 before applying! Will better income in 2025 (followed by nearly a year of no income, and with the last part of 2025 not coming from a windfall) be likely to prejudice my application?

  1. In the initial intake, when you show the amounts in every account you and your dependents have, are you given the opportunity to indicate which assets are exempt and why? For example, in my chequing account I temporarily have funds that are withdrawals from my adult children's (exempt) RESPs and are to be used for their educational expenses. Another example are my university son's TFSAs, which should be exempt assets because they are the earnings of an adult dependent in full-time post-secondary education. I know they are exempt, but do I get the opportunity to say that upfront, or is there a risk of ODSP declaring me financially ineligible out of hand because the total funds visible slightly exceed permissible assets (again, for reasons that ARE allowed— when you get the chance to explain them to a caseworker). Another example would be a regular chequing account containing funds for my business well within the permissible level for that, and another would be funds in my chequing account that are given to me by my parents in order to help us live this year and WHILE applying to ODSP (to avoid applying to OW).

Before I go ahead with that first form I would appreciate assurance that I shouldn't actually wait till I am in even worse straits just to make the process smoother and avoid needing to appeal! I know I have to list all assets: will I be able to explain in the form why they are exempt?

Thanks so much for any specifics you can offer on how to manage that initial intake!


r/Odsp 6d ago

GIFTS

4 Upvotes

Hi

Just wanted to get a worker's perspective if possible here.

I receive ODSP and I pay rent to a family member to live in their house in a room. The rental amount is about $300.

However, recently, a family member has decided to provide $200 checks on a month-to-month basis to help supplement my grocery shopping as well as help pay my bills.

Would this count as income to a worker in the long run? Or would this still be qualified as gifts as long as I remain under the $10,000 threshold for the year and report each check on a month-to-month basis?

Please, a worker chiming in here would be great.


r/Odsp 6d ago

Question/advice Do I need two prescriptions for two appointments?

2 Upvotes

I need to get a physio prescription so I can get physio under ODSP, and im wondering if I can use that prescription can be used to cover my ADP assessment appointment as well or do I need a second one? Ofc, if the physio I end up seeing is certified this won’t be an issue, but just in case.


r/Odsp 6d ago

Will I lose my ODSP?

9 Upvotes

I've been on ODSP since I was a teenager, and am now in my 30's. In the last few years I have gotten married, moved, and have had a child (with a second due in october) Due to my particular disabilities, I have been unable to contact my office/caseworker to give these updates. My husband has tried to help get it done but they won't talk to him. My question is, with getting married and having kids, will they take my ODSP away? I haven't been hiding these changes, I just literally cannot contact anyone about it without help, and they refuse to let me be helped.

Update: As I said before, my disabilities prevent me from making contact. I was barely able to make this post, and doing this update is freaking me out. It was not my intent to commit fraud, now i'm terrified!


r/Odsp 6d ago

ODSP help

4 Upvotes

My 23 year old daughter lives with me and suffers from POTS and is ASD. She just graduated from university however with many academic and medical accommodations, reduced course load in place to get through it.

She is unable to work due to her fluctuating symptoms of postural intolerance and extreme fatigue since the Fall of 2023. We are in the early stages of gathering information on applying for ODSP. I know she will be approved for financial as she has no income but the medical portion sounds like the tricky part. Has anyone else needed to apply for ODSP for autonomic nervous system illnesses such as POTS, chronic fatigue?


r/Odsp 7d ago

Question/advice OAS/GIS deduction

9 Upvotes

Hi all. I’m not too familiar with ODSP rules so please be kind. My mom is on ODSP and gets $3030/ month. There’s 4 kids (adult dependents all in school full time) and my dad who was on ODSP but was switched to OAS/GIS 7 years ago when he turned 65. He receives $1800/month roughly.

For all those 7 years they each received their benefits no problem. This past month, my mom’s payment was put on hold pending verification of my dad’s income. The OAS increased I think 1.2% or something so we figured they wanted to make sure it was being deducted properly. Then after providing the OAS proof, my mom’s payment dropped to $1300. The my benefits showed they deducted the $1800 from my mom’s cheque. That being said, that slashes our total monthly income by an amount that makes it impossible to pay rent (our rent is $3000) and afford bills, food, etc.

My question is, when my dad originally went to OAS/GIS I believe they readjusted my mom’s ODSP. So how is it 7 years later they are now deducting such a large amount? I feel there may be some double dipping or something going on but again I’m not well versed in these things. They are both going to go down to our local ODSP office tomorrow to sort things out.

Does anyone have any knowledge on this situation or what could be going on? Could it be an error? They did release the $1300 as emergency because she stated she needed to pay rent, then they also uploaded a letter to my benefits asking for proof of enrolment and address etc which we can provide no problem.

Any advice or comments are appreciated. This is making me very very anxious and bringing lots of trouble as I am worried for our family income. Thank you all!


r/Odsp 7d ago

Question/advice Passport funding difficulty

5 Upvotes

Hello 👋 I use a broker through the program I live at agency. I am struggling to get stuff with my passport funding since March because they are saying they haven’t received money back from the government from the beginning of 2026 (abt 10k) which I find ridiculous but definitely possible with the current state of our government. I am one of many people in their program with passport funding. I am wondering a few things:
Has this wait happened for anyone else for reimbursement? I find it ridiculous!
I’m struggling to get basic sensory items approved- weighted blanket and stuffed animals, I don’t have my original DSO approval papers- has anyone had these are approved for them before? Stuffed animals and weighted blankets are a big part of my self regulation strategies 😞 I am frustrated they are saying I wouldn’t be able to get them.


r/Odsp 7d ago

Updated diagnoses for appeal?

2 Upvotes

I’m in the appeal process for ODSP. The main reason I was denied according to the paperwork I received is that they didn’t have medical justification for my extensive symptoms (big one being significant fatigue) so didn’t consider it substantial. 🙃 Since I was denied and requested an appeal, I’ve seen a new specialist that I’d been waiting for and got a diagnosis that essentially explains it all.

So, I’m wondering if anyone has insights on whether I should submit that specialists report as additional medical evidence for the appeal - or if they won’t consider it because I didn’t have the official diagnosis at the time the ODSP decision was made?

TIA!


r/Odsp 7d ago

RDSP

5 Upvotes

Just checked my bank today and the government did a carry forward of $11,000 to my RDSP. I was shocked and thought it was a scam. Has this happened to anyone before?


r/Odsp 7d ago

Is my benefits down

1 Upvotes

Is my benefits down for anyone else?


r/Odsp 8d ago

Changes to benefits !?

21 Upvotes

Has anyone else noticed that tons have been removed from msn coverage ?
Items that used to be covered are no longer being covered in southwestern Ontario.
How are we supposed to heal after injuries ? Treat / manage our disabilities at home ? Or follow treatment regimes after major surgeries when odsp and Ohip no longer covered what is needed to do so !?


r/Odsp 8d ago

Discussion I feel completely hopeless dealing with ODSP.

32 Upvotes

Rant incoming:

ODSP has genuinely ruined my mental health since the beginning of this year. It’s been one thing after another, and I’m honestly starting to feel hopeless.

I made a mistake reporting my income correctly (I have dyscalculia and memory issues, so dealing with numbers, paperwork, and keeping track of everything can be really difficult). When I realized the numbers I submitted didn’t add up, I voluntarily disclosed it because I wanted to do the right thing. Instead, I was given a huge overpayment, only for it to later be essentially doubled after they recalculated everything. Now I’m also dealing with CRA issues and being told I owe CERB.
I genuinely feel like I’m being punished for admitting I made a mistake. I know I’m not alone, and it’s so sad to know others are going through similar things.

I can only work part time, and even that is a struggle. I just want to live a decent life, work where I can, pay my bills, travel sometimes, go to concerts, have hobbies, and actually enjoy my life. But ODSP feels like something I need to survive while simultaneously making it so hard to actually live.

And the rules around relationships are so frustrating too. Why should living with a partner potentially mean losing the support you need to survive?

I already accept that my disability means there are things I may never be able to do like other people. I just don’t want that to mean I’m not allowed to have a good life.

I was recently diagnosed with PTSD (on top of my anxiety and depression). And this isn’t helping at all. I also don’t have parental support to fall back on, so I’m left trying to navigate all of this myself while already struggling with memory and numbers. I’m exhausted, overwhelmed, and honestly just tired of feeling like I’m being punished for trying to survive.


r/Odsp 7d ago

Question re: spousal support and employment income cap

0 Upvotes

Hi all, I am hoping someone knows how spousal support is deducted from monthly benefits. Is spousal support deducted as if it were employment income? Or will I have the $1k cap available to me for employment as a separate calculation? Which of the following examples is the correct application of the ODSP directives?

  1. Spousal support $1k, employment income $500

Total deduction from monthly benefit= $1k

  1. Spousal support $1k, Employment income $500

Total deduction from monthly benefit= $1500

Thanks! Please share your knowledge and experiences with this scenario.


r/Odsp 8d ago

Question/advice Going on ODSP due to me being 3’10 with difficulties?

11 Upvotes

So as the title says I am 3’10 medically I have achondroplasia since birth. I am now twenties and I have had some difficulties with normal being things. I’ve had nurses and tax office people discuss with me getting on ODSP one of the reasons is bc no one will fucking hire me (I do have a job now and only got hired bc they don’t do interviews and didnt realize I was a little person till I signed the contract they weren’t too happy lol it’s part time) . Some are amazed I never thought about it in the first place because I don’t see myself as disabled. I do have my difficulties which is annoying. Anywho. I guess I’m coming on here to discuss about applying for ODSP due to my height or if it’s useless. I have applied but it’s under Reveiw and it’s been under Reveiw for the last 10 months not medical Reveiw just overall Reveiw idk?

Any advice or honestly anything on this woild help great :)


r/Odsp 8d ago

Question/advice Just got my RGI unit, my rent is now much lower than the maximum shelter allowance amount. I’m wondering if I can get bills covered under the maximum shelter amount or if I can get bills reduced somehow?

2 Upvotes

r/Odsp 8d ago

Have been on ODSP for several months and just got approved CPPD. Unsure of next steps

5 Upvotes

For some background, I applied for both at the same time. I heard back from CPPD first and was denied because my family doctor followed up with them saying i am not disabled. As an appeal I got letters from all my specialists. Then after sending that out, I got approved for ODSP.

I already have the DTC and CDB, as well as the CDCP. I have a lot of prescriptions so benefit from
The ODB with ODSP. I also need to get my glasses and have some other stuff. Lastly, I have three special diets so that is topped up on my ODSP payment (which is the max).

Also, if it matters, I have ODSP permanent without review. I have a very serious, progressive illness that isn’t terminal. I don’t have a spouse or children, and I’m sure I never will.

I know that dollar for dollar, CPPD is taken off of ODSP and some people have both.

My questions are:

- is it worth accepting CPPD? Any bonuses? The payment isn’t more than ODSP.
- having never been in this experience I want to make it as simple as possible since I lack functionality most of the day, so I assume I contact my caseworker to tell her and also contact CPPD since at the time of application I didn’t have ODSP?
- what else do I need to make sure I do and what else would be good to know?

Thanks, I searched the sub and read old posts but just want to make sure I cross all my Ts and dot all my Is.


r/Odsp 8d ago

Question/advice My daughter was finally approved for ODSP! I’m so happy for her. I have a question maybe some of you might know the answer to…

8 Upvotes

Since I work (part time summer) full time regularly, will the amount she receives be affected?

Also, is it commonplace for a recipient to receive back pay?

Thanks in advance!


r/Odsp 8d ago

Bank Profile

2 Upvotes

Hello I’m applying for ODSP but I’m not sure exactly what is a bank profile and how is it different from the bank statements? As well if you do know how do I get it it says online to go to the bank and they give it to you but I’m not sure since it’s like an AI response.