This article summarizes Ontario’s ODSP payment dates in 2023, the ODSP amounts and benefits you will get, eligibility requirements, and how to apply.
The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Ontario Works are income assistance programs available to Ontarians who don’t have enough money to live on.
In particular, ODSP aims to help residents with disabilities meet their financial, shelter, and employment needs.
ODSP Payment Dates in 2024
The ODSP payment dates for 2024 are:
| Benefit month | ODSP Payment Date |
|---|---|
| December 2023 | December 20, 2023 |
| January 2024 | January 31, 2024 |
| February 2024 | February 29, 2024 |
| March 2024 | March 28, 2024 |
| April 2024 | April 30, 2024 |
| May 2024 | May 31, 2024 |
| June 2024 | June 28, 2024 |
| July 2024 | July 31, 2024 |
| August 2024 | August 30, 2024 |
| September 2024 | September 27, 2024 |
| October 2024 | October 31, 2024 |
| November 2024 | November 29, 2024 |
| December 2024 | TBD |
As shown above, ODSP benefits are usually deposited in your bank account on the last business day of the month.
ODSP Benefits Explained
The ODSP comprises many benefits, which are summarized below
ODSP Income Support
Eligible ODSP recipients can receive financial support to pay for basic needs, shelter, as well as health benefits.
1. ODSP Basic Needs Benefit
This ODSP benefit takes care of everyday needs, including food, clothing, transportation, and other personal needs.
How much you get is based on the number of dependants and their age, your location, and whether you have a spouse who is also disabled.
A single recipient can get up to $706 monthly to cover their basic needs; up to $1,018 if they have a spouse (not disabled) but no other dependants; and up to $1,409 if their spouse also has a disability.
For each additional dependant over the age of 18, you get an extra $222 per month.
ODSP recipients who live north of the 50th parallel in remote communities where there is no year-round road access receive extra ODSP basic needs benefits.
For example, a single individual receives an additional $272, while a couple gets $431. If they have dependents, this amount increases.
2. OSDP Shelter Benefits
This OSDP income support helps to offset the cost of shelter, including rent, mortgage loan payments, property taxes, utilities, water, insurance premiums, sewage, and more.
The current rates vary depending on your family size up to a maximum amount.
| Family Size | Maximum ODSP Shelter Allowance (monthly) |
| 1 | $522 |
| 2 | $821 |
| 3 | $889 |
| 4 | $964 |
| 5 | $1,041 |
| 6+ | $1,078 |
A board and lodging amount may apply if you are with family or accommodation where food is brought and prepaid for you.
3. ODSP Health Benefits
Recipients of ODSP income support may qualify for health benefits, including:
Prescription drug coverage: This includes coverage for prescription drugs listed in the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary. A co-payment of up to $2 per prescription may be charged by some pharmacies.
Dental Coverage: Your kids aged 17 and under are enrolled in Healthy Smiles Ontario and receive a dental card. You and your spouse may also get coverage for basic dental work as well as prescribed medications and treatments relating to your oral health.
Vision coverage: If you are not already receiving benefits under OHIP, you may qualify for vision care benefits, including eye exams, prescription eyeglasses, and costs of repair.
Nutritional allowance: Get up to $40/month to assist with the costs of a regular diet or up to $50/month for specialized diets if you or a family member are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Extended health benefit: ODSP recipients who are no longer eligible for income support may be able to access extended health benefits to offset the costs required to meet their healthcare needs.
ODSP Employment Support
The ODSP program can help you find employment and encourages recipients to work full or part-time when possible.
Employment supports include job coaching, on-the-job supports, provision of adaptive technology and assistive devices, mentoring, interpreter services, training, and more.
Eligibility for ODSP
Several factors are considered when determining whether you qualify for ODSP or not.
You must meet age, residency, financial, and disability thresholds before you can receive ODSP benefits.
Age: ODSP recipients must be at least 18 years of age. You can start the application process up to 6 months before you turn 18.
Residency: Applicants must live in Ontario.
Financial requirements: To qualify for ODSP, you must be able to show that your household’s finances are unable to cover your basic living expenses.
A caseworker looks at the financial information you provide, plus other factors when assessing whether or not you qualify.
Factors they consider include how much you are earning, benefits you receive, e.g. Canada Child Benefit (CCB), EI, GAINS, and CPP, and your assets.
Some income sources are exempt when calculating your total income. This includes CCB, Ontario Child Benefit, RDSP, and child support. You can find others here.
Some assets are also exempt, including your primary home, vehicle, trust funds (up to a limit), RESP and RDSP funds, life insurance policies (up to a limit), etc.
While you may have non-exempt assets while on ODSP, they are limited to:
- $40,000: for singles
- $50,000: for a couple
Disability requirements: An ODSP recipient must qualify as a “person with a disability” as defined by the ODSP Act.
This means that they must have a significant mental or physical impairment that affects them continuously or on a recurrent basis and is expected to last for one year or longer.
This disability must significantly affect their ability to work, take care of themselves, and participate in the general community.
Lastly, the disability has to be confirmed by an approved health professional.
Applicants are required to complete a Disability Determination Package when submitting an application to ODSP.
Here is How Much ODSP Pays in 2024
How much ODSP benefits you receive depends on your family size, accommodation and daily expenses, medical bills, location, and more.
For example, a single ODSP recipient may receive $1,228 per month, with this amount made up of $706 for basic needs and $522 for shelter.
A single parent with one child under age 17 can get up to $1,738 per month made up of $849 for basic needs and $821 for shelter.
How To Apply for ODSP in 2024
You can start your application for ODSP online or by visiting the ODSP office in your area.
The first step in the application process involves showing you meet the program’s financial eligibility requirements.
A caseworker will contact you to obtain the necessary information, including your household’s income, assets, and expenses.
A decision on your financial eligibility is provided within 15 business days.
Secondly, you will receive a Disability Determination Package that is completed by you and approved by healthcare professionals.
After completing the forms in the package, send them to the ODSP Disability Adjudication Unit. It may take up to 90 days to get a decision, depending on the complexity of your circumstances.
ODSP Increase 2024
ODSP benefits increased by 6.5% in 2023.
The Ontario government also has announced it will index ODSP benefits to inflation starting in July 2023.
Monthly earnings exemption for ODSP increase from $200 to $1,000 monthly in 2023.
There is no information on what the ODSP increase will be in 2024.
ODSP Program Overview
Ontario Disability Support Program is one of the social assistance programs in the province to help Ontario residents who suffer from disabilities access income and employment supports.
Income support provides financial help so that eligible recipients can pay for daily living expenses like food and shelter.
Employment supports helps people with disabilities find and keep employment.
In British Columbia, a similar government benefit for helping disabled persons is referred to as the Persons with Disability (PWD) program.
ODSP Benefit FAQs
How much does ODSP pay every month?
The monthly ODSP amount you receive depends on the number of people in your family unit, the age of dependents, your location, and whether or not your spouse has a disability. A single person can get up to $1,228 per month.
When is ODSP paid out?
The ODSP benefit usually hits your bank account on the last business day of the month. If you haven’t signed up for direct deposit payments, your ODSP cheque may arrive on or after the payment date.
When will ODSP increase?
Yes, ODSP benefits will increase in 2023 and will be indexed to the consumer price index (CPI).
What is the difference between ODSP and Ontario Works?
Unlike Ontario Works, you don’t need to participate in employment-related activities to get ODSP benefits.
How many assets can I have while on ODSP?
For non-exempt assets like cash in hand or in your bank account, investments, etc., you can have up to $40,000 (individual) or $50,000 (couple) before your ODSP benefits are reduced.
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