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:
- Prescription drug coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision care
- Medical supplies
- Medical transportation
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Nutritional Allowance
- Extended Health 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.
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