Applying for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP - Part 2)
We all need an umbrella for rainy days. The “Umbrella for Rainy Days” series describes income support (financial assistance) programs. This article explores applying for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), with a special focus on people with Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassemia, and other Red Blood Cell Disorders (RBCDs) .
There are two steps for applying to ODSP:
1. Determining Financial Eligibility
Contact your local office or apply online.
Have your family’s identification and tax documents ready, such as:
Social insurance numbers (SIN)
OHIP cards
Birth certificates
Immigration papers
Tax returns
Banking information
An ODSP caseworker will then contact you within fifteen business days to schedule a meeting. The ODSP caseworker will ask you to bring specific documents to verify information about yourself and your household.
TIP: If you receive Ontario Works (OW), you have already determined financial eligibility and do not need to do this step. You can ask your OW caseworker to start the ODSP application.
2. Determining Disability
If you are financially eligible for ODSP, you will be sent a Disability Determination Package (the ODSP application). This package consists of the following forms:
Health Status Report – Your medical issues, symptoms, and expected duration. (This report can be completed by a medical physician, optometrist, psychologist, psychological associate, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse)
TIP: UHN RBCD Patients must book an appointment with a hematologist, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse for completing the ODSP application’s Health Status Report. Bring the form to your clinic appointment. If you do not have an appointment, contact the clinic to book one and say it is for completing the ODSP application.Activities of Daily Living Index – Your ability to work, look after yourself, and take part in activities at home and in the community. (This can be completed by a medical physician, optometrist, psychologist, psychological associate, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, chiropractor, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, social worker, audiologist, or speech language pathologist).
Medical Review Self Report – An optional form where you describe the effects of living with a disability in your own words. This report also asks questions about how discrimination, including racism and sexism, shape your experiences of disability.
TIP: Writing about your experiences of disability and discrimination can be emotionally draining. Reach out to a social worker, advocate, or a trusted family member or friend for help completing the Medical Review Self Report.
TIP: People who are members of the prescribed class, for example, a person who is eligible for Developmental Services of Ontario, do not have to complete the Disability Determination Package to access ODSP. They simply call their local ODSP office.
What do I do with the completed ODSP application?
Mail the completed ODSP application to the Disability Adjudication Unit:
Ontario Disability Support Program
Disability Adjudication Unit
Box B18
Toronto ON
M7A 1R3
TIP: You have 90 days to submit the ODSP application. If you cannot meet the deadline, call the Disability Adjudication Unit at 1-888-256-6758 to ask for more time.
What can I do if I am refused from ODSP?
If you are refused from ODSP, contact a Community Legal Clinic for help appealing the decision.
Learn More
Ontario Disability Support Program on the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Ontario Disability Support Program Questions on Steps to Justice
About the Author
Sinthu Srikanthan is a social worker in the Red Blood Cell Disorders Clinic at UHN. She is passionate about Anti-Racist/Anti-Oppressive practice.
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