Ontario Disability Support Program

Guelph Local Office (ODSP) 

1 Stone Road West, 1st Floor, Guelph 

519-822-7500

1-800-567-2953

Stratford Local Office (ODSP)

1A-63 Lorne Avenue East, RR 3, Stratford 

519-271-1530

1-800-565-5762

Owen Sound Local Office (ODSP) 

1400 1st Avenue West, Owen Sound 

519-376-1951

1-800-265-3790

Brampton Local Office (ODSP)

370 Main St. North, Unit 2, Brampton

905-460-5025

1-877-466-5025

Ontario Disability Support Program

http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/

Ministry Forms (all public forms related to ODSP)

https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/forms/ministryForms_odsp.aspx

Application Forms

https://catalogue.servicecanada.gc.ca/content/EForms/en/Detail.html?Form=ISP1151

Application Process

You can either self refer or have your Ontario Works case worker refer you. The application is usually mailed by the doctors office. It is best practice to complete your self report prior to having your doctor complete the medical information portion. Bring your self report to the doctor when they complete the medical section, ensure that they match. You have a deadline of 90 days to submit the completed package to the office in Toronto. You can ask the Disability Adjudication Unit for an extension of time - just call them (1-888-256-6758) .

The self report will ask you about your experiences with school and work. It is important to list all your attempts at both, especially if your disability impacted the outcome. Focus on your restrictions and impairments. How have you tried to solve these issues. What makes it harder to manage - does your spouse or children also have a disability? 

There are 3 parts to the test. 1. Impairments 2. Restrictions 3. Duration 

The doctors portion of the application should verify the self report. 

Once the application is submitted you should receive a decision 1-6 months later.

Denial of ODSP - Internal Review (IR)

You have 30 days to ask for an internal review of the decision. The IR is usually just a one sentence statement. It is important to include member I.D. This is also a chance to submit any additional documentation. This information should be timely and discuss what is going on for you now, not months or years ago. (Ex. you saw a specialist while you were waiting for the decision)

Once the IR has been submitted you wait 30 days for a decision. If you don't receive one contact the Disability Adjudication Unit (1-888-256-6758). 

Appeal

The appeal must be filed 30 days after you received the IR decision. The appeal is an administrative form found online through the Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT). You cannot submit any additional medical information at this time. Complete Appeal Form #1 and send it to the Disability Adjudication Unit office, their office is located in Toronto:

Ontario Disability Support Program

Disability Adjudication Unit

Box B18

Toronto ON M7A 1R3

Fax: 416-326-3374 

Once your appeal has been submitted you should receive a Notice of Hearing and a copy of your Submissions within 30 days.

Next Steps

You will receive an acknowledgement letter, Notice of Hearing, and Submissions.

After your hearing has been set you have 30 days prior to the hearing to submit any additional evidence. This is a good time to seek assistance from the Legal Clinic.

Medical Review

The medical review is a chance for the SBT to determine whether or not you still have a disability that prevents your from working. If you received a negative decision about your review the same process follows as outlined above. If you are denied assistance and intend to appeal the decision you may apply for Interim Assistance. The risk of accessing this financial support is that if your review and appeal are unsuccessful you will have to pay back any money you received through the Interim Assistance (IA). The application for IA is part of the appeal form. 

Legal Clinic of Guelph and Wellington

http://www.gwlegalclinic.ca/

The Legal Clinic provides assistance with income issues related to OW, ODSP, EI, CPP-d, and Child Tax Benefit. The Clinic can assist with applications, appeals, and review tribunals related to social assistance. 

519-821-2100 or 1-800-628-9205

*Note: The Legal Clinic will only represent once on an issue of financial security. 

Disability Tax Credit Form

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/segments/tax-credits-deductions-persons-disabilities/disability-tax-credit.html

Social Services ODSP and OW supplemental forms eg. Rights and Responsibilities of ODSP

https://www.ontario.ca/page/social-assistance#section-6

Henson Trust for Individuals on ODSP

(not all individuals on ODSP/workers are aware of this trust that families can potentially set up without financial penalty to their benefits)

www.wcdsb.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2017/05/Henson-Trust-Handbook.pdf

Links to information about benefits outside OW / ODSP:

• Ontario Trillium Benefit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-trillium-benefit

• Canada Child Benefit: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-child-benefit-overview.html

• Ontario Child Benefit: http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/financialhelp/ocb/index.aspx

• GST/HST credit: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/goods-services-tax-harmonized-sales-tax-gst-hst-credit.htm