3.2 Ontario Works (OW) & Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

Ontario Works (OW)

Ontario Works assists individuals who are in financial need. There are two types of assistance—financial assistance and employment assistance. Financial assistance provides support for expenses, such as basic needs and shelter(1)
You can apply for services on your phone and check to see the status of it as well, or go into to an Ontario Works office.
Figure 3.2.1 Photo by Clique Images on Unsplash

Before you apply for Ontario Works

  • Make sure that you have at least 20 to 30 minutes to complete the application.  It is best to complete the entire application before you get started.
  • One application per family
  • There are specific questions that are around your family, so it is important to make sure that any/all family members are included in your application (family need to provide consent and mandatory to answer specific questions
Figure 3.2.2 Photo by Kadyn Pierce on Unsplash

Identification and tax documents are necessary for everyone (family) on the application.  Items needed are: Social insurance number (SIN), OHIP card (Ontario Health card), Immigration papers and Banking information.(2)

This page tells you all about it (Learn more about Ontario Works):

  • who is eligible to apply for Ontario Works and ODSP
  • how much money you could receive
  • how to apply online for Ontario Works
  • how to check the status of your Ontario Works online application
  • how to apply online for ODSP

Contact Ontario Works

Toll-free: 1-888-999-1142
Toll-free TTY: 1-800-387-5559

Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (ET)

 

For more information about Ontario Works (OW):

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

Find information about income support, benefits for health costs and other disability supports from the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).(3)

Ontario Disability Support Program offers many different supports.

Not all Disabilities are Visible

Figure 3.2.4 Photo by Tungsten Rising on Unsplash

Ontario has raised ODSP payments by 6.5%

ODSP rates are now tied to inflation. In any year that payments go up, you will receive the higher payment at the end of July of each year.

In July 2023, ODSP rates increased by 6.5%. The increase applies to:

  • basic needs and shelter maximum amounts for singles and families
  • board and lodge amounts for singles and families
  • the amount provided for a couple where both have disabilities
  • amounts for services provided by a Long-Term Care Home or a Specialized Care Residence

This latest increase is in addition to the 5% increase applied in September 2022, bringing the total to almost 12% over the last 12 months.(4)

For more information about Ontario Disability Program (ODSP):

References:

  1. Ontario Works (Social Assistance). (n.d.). https://www.durham.ca/en/living-here/ontario-works-social-assistance.aspx?_mid_=24321#:~:text=Ontario%20Works%20assists%20individuals%20who,as%20basic%20needs%20and%20shelter.
  2. Social Assistance Application. (n.d.). https://www.sada.mcss.gov.on.ca/intake/OW/home-page
  3. Ontario Disability Support Program. (n.d.). ontario.ca. https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-disability-support-program
  4. Ontario Disability Support Program. (n.d.-b). ontario.ca. https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-disability-support-program

 

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Exploring Systems Navigation and Select Population Copyright © by Denise Halsey and Sunil Boodhai is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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