ODSP benefits can include money for:
- basic needs
- shelter costs
- special diet allowance
- remote communities allowance (if applicable)
- prescription drug coverage (OHIP+ for youth under 24)
- dental benefits for ODSP recipients and their spouses/partners (children under 18 receive dental care through Healthy Smiles Ontario).
- health benefits
- diabetic and other medical supplies (may be provided directly)
- travel costs related to medical care
- work-related expenses, etc.
For more information about Ontario Drug Benefit programs, please visit our page.
It can take time to complete an ODSP application, so you may decide to apply for Ontario Works (OW) because OW applications can be processed more quickly so you may receive some benefits while waiting for your ODSP application to be processed. You can make your ODSP application through the OW office. You may also be able to receive prescription drug coverage from OW while your ODSP application is processed. For more information about OW, please see our page.
If you are receiving ODSP or OW, you must inform ODSP or OW about changes in your situation and changes for everyone else in your benefit unit that might affect your eligibility, including:
- change of address
- change of activity (work, school)
- change in income
- change in assets
- change in housing
- change in who lives with you
- change in family status
- change in immigration status
- hospitalization or if you are staying somewhere else
- absence from Ontario (there are different rules for ODSP and OW, so you should get legal advice right away before you make any plan to leave Ontario), or
- any other change that might affect your ODSP or OW eligibility.
If you are living with HIV in Ontario and have questions about ODSP, please contact us right away for free legal advice. If you live in Ontario, you can contact your local community legal clinic: www.legalaid.on.ca/clinics
If you disagree with any ODSP decision, you have the right to request an Internal Review within 30 days of the decision. If you are living with HIV in Ontario, please contact us for free legal advice (see Getting legal help below).
Here is a link to ODSP and OW social assistance information on the Government of Ontario website: www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/index.aspx
Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) has publications about social assistance in Ontario that are available on the CLEO website and in print: www.cleo.on.ca/english/pub/onpub/subject/social.htm.
Changes to the ODSP Special Diet Allowance
There have been many changes to the Special Diet Allowance (SDA). If you are living with HIV and your SDA has been cut, reduced or cancelled, or if you have questions, please contact us for free legal advice (see Getting legal help below).
