Passport Funding and Special Services at Home

Passport Funding is a funding program by the Ontario Government in order to help young adults with developmental disabilities who are too old to continue attending school to access community support.  Once a person with developmental disabilities turns 21 years of age, they are no longer eligible to attend classes within the education system; and given that there are not a lot of programs available for young adults, once they age out of the school system, they end up staying at home with no financial resources to access staffing or community based programs to give structure and meaning to their work week.

The Ministry of Community and Social Services website has a concise explanation of what the Passport program  covers:

With Passport funding, individuals and families can:

• receive money directly so they can purchase their own services and supports
• get services and supports through community-based agencies
• get services and supports through a combination of both.

Who can apply for Passport Funding

Passport funding is for people with a developmental disability who:

• are no longer in school
• need support to participate in the community
• live independently with family or in supportive living, such as a group home.

Where to apply for Passport Funding

 For the past two years Passport Funding has been frozen as a result of the amalgamation of the Special Services at Home program into the Passport Funding program.  In this fiscal year (April 2013 - March 2014) everyone who was already receiving funding from either Special Services at Home or the Passport program had their funding renewed.  There were no increases, no chance to make any changes.  So if you were already part of either one of these programs then you are lucky.

Lots of people, in the meantime, have been in limbo.  Unable to apply for funding and unclear about when the new Passport Program will be open to taking new applications.  At the time of the writing of this post: there have been no memos to staff on the front lines or letters to parents giving any updates or possible timelines for making the Passport Funding a living program again.

The best one can do is to call the Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) office (see my previous post about the DSO here) and ask for a re-assessment if you or your loved ones situation demands additional funding.  The DSO will meet with you, make their assessment and then put you on the list of Passport Funding.

If you do not currently receive Passport funding, then you still should call the DSO and ask to be put on the list for an application for Passport Funding when this program is reactivated.  This the right thing to do only if you are already attached to the DSO or another agency as your lead agency, or, you have been assessed by the DSO for eligibility (that is, you or a loved one has been and diagnosed with having an developmental disability).

To access phone numbers for the DSO offices in Ontario follow this link

For the Toronto office of the DSO call 1-855-372-3858.

ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program): The Basics

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is a monthly benefit for people who either have a mental health issue, or a physical or developmental disability. Or a combination of the above diagnoses. ODSP is funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services.  Most people who qualify as having a developmental delay are eligible to apply for this benefit.

The Ministry of Community and Social Services website on ODSP already has a well-written, easily understandable explanation of the program and how to apply for this benefit.  Follow this link to get there. There are two parts to the disability benefit: 1. Income Supports and 2. Employment Supports.

For the most part, people use the Income Supports portion of ODSP.  This entitles people to about $1000 per month, depending on the person's circumstances.  The ODSP benefit also includes most prescription drugs and access to basic dental services (such as cleaning, cavity repair, dentures, etc.) and coverage for prescription glasses.  Here's a list of other benefits which ODSP recipients can receive provided they meet qualifying criteria.  The list and links were taken from the Ministry of Community and Social Services website:

Health benefits

• Prescription drug coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision care
• Medical supplies
• Medical transportation
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Nutritional Allowance
• Extended Health Benefit

Disability-related benefits

• Assistive devices
• Additional help for hearing aids and mobility devices
• Guide dog benefit

The Employment Supports portion of the program is meant to give people a bit of a helping hand to get into the work force.  This process is started by calling your local ODSP office (this is a link to a page showing all ODSP offices in Ontario and to find an office using your postal code follow this link) and asking to speak with an Employment Supports worker at your local ODSP office.  The worker does an assessment to see if the person on ODSP is a good candidate for the Employment Supports program and then, the worker is able to give you the names of different agencies that help people to get work.  These agencies are funded by either the Ontario or Canadian government and will help an individual to learn key work skills, help with interview skills, resume preparation and sometimes, provide job placements and on the job coaching.

The application package for ODSP has two parts: The first is a self report which the person applying for support completes.  Having help in filling out he entire form by caregiver is not unusual and perfectly acceptable.  The second portion of the application package is a report to be filled out by a doctor (family doctor, psychiatrist, or others).  Once you mail in your disability application (you have 90 days to send it in), ODSP will assess the applicants eligibility for benefits.  If you are turned down, you can appeal this decision.  Often, people are able to get approved when they appeal a negative decision, so follow through on an appeal if you get turned down initially.

The Community Legal Education Ontario's website is a great source for detailed information on how to fill out an ODSP application.  There's even a section to educate your doctor on how to best fill out their portion of the application.  You might print this to do guide for professionals and bring it with you with the application package when going to the doctor's office.

If you do not have case management services through an agency within the developmental services sector (see list of agencies here), you might try going to the ODSP Action Coalition's webpages.  This grass roots organization lobbies the government on ODSP related matters.

There is also an online support group called the ODSP Fireside Group.  This is a support and information exchange forum which may be useful for you to join in order to gather information and gain from other people's experience with the ODSP program.

Lastly, do not feel overwhelmed by all the different links, benefits and programs.  Just decide your first step and act on it.  Look up the phone number of the ODSP office closest to you and call to make an appointment to get an application package.

If you don't get a call back, call again.  Speak to a receptionist and book your appointment.  If you feel this process is taking too long, speak to the receptionist and insist on speaking to a manager.  Be polite but firm.  When you get your application package then you can worry about the next step.