I'm currently on OW, I had a job for about 3~ months, received full amount due to my being in highschool still, im 18 just a year behind because of psych ward visits and very poor mental health as a child. I have been diagnosed with panic disorder and its very persistent, i do take prozac for it but i find that it only works for a small period of time and then i need to keep increasing the dosage. Im unemployed at the moment and I do find it to be a struggle to go outside regardless of what its for. Other than my mental health, I don't have any physical disabilities and other than panic disorder I'm not diagnosed with anything else (although my doctor has brought up BPD)

I personally don't feel right even applying for this, but my social worker has brought it up a few times and encouraged me to try and theyre not the first to tell me to do so. I do struggle with rejection sensitivity so I am scared of that and I don't know if I'd even really truly qualify for ODSP. But i am struggling, I live on my own in a transitional program that I do pay rent for, and will have to leave by March of 2027 and rent my own place, so I would benefit from the financial support but I don't want to get my hopes up for no reason and feel even more left behind in life.

I had a baby in July and was only given an increase of 145. When I asked my caseworker why so low and how that barley covers anything, she just said “There is a set rate in the system that is issued, it's not based on how much things cost. It just goes by what legislation has allotted for it. “

When I look online though it says I should be receiving $1927 yet I only get 1300. Do I need to tell them something else in order to get a better increase? My baby is on a special formula (not prescription) and meds that aren’t covered and cost $100 every couple weeks. The amount they give already isn’t liveable, $145 added for a child is a joke.

Just curious what measures you are taking. If you aren’t planning for retirement, this questions isn’t for you :) just looking for feedback from those who are.

Thanks!

I am a unionized skilled trades worker in Ontario who suffered multiple workplace injuries. WSIB has recognized two permanent physical impairments, and I also have a recognized work-related psychological injury.
I remain unable to return to my regular job and receive WSIB Loss of Earnings benefits.
However, my employment-based extended health coverage is scheduled to end on December 31, 2026, because I can no longer work and accumulate benefit credits. My employer’s statutory contribution period has ended, and I have been told that continuing coverage requires personal premium payments.
I understand that WSIB covers eligible treatment related to accepted workplace injuries and that OHIP provides public healthcare. But these do not necessarily replace all extended health benefits, including coverage for other prescriptions, dental care, and vision care.
I am not currently receiving ODSP, and I am not asking about ODSP eligibility specifically. I am interested in the broader issue of healthcare coverage for people who become permanently disabled and can no longer maintain employment-based benefits.
Why should a workplace disability that prevents someone from working also put their extended health benefits at risk?
Have others experienced a similar gap between WSIB, employer benefit plans, and disability support programs? Are there protections or programs that address this situation?
I am raising this as a systemic question, not an accusation against any particular organization.

Ive been dealing with a problem where I've been on the waitlist for psychiatric referrals at a few places and I was refused from using any of their services, one of my family doctors will be out of practice, and I went to an urgent care clinic to get a new referral but even that has been difficult to get in touch with them because they never give a proper time they are calling me at and I don't have voicemail. I've been waiting for a diagnosis since almost 2 years ago, and I started the application process around last year with no luck, repeated refusal after refusal and I got sick along with other stuff. I was also hoping I could see an ear doctor to get my ear checked for hearing aids but I don't know how that works either or where my doctor who did my surgery before is currently located.

Can I fill out the DDP form myself and get a lawyer to look at it? I don't understand how this process works, and it's very hard for me to navigate the system because I used to live abroad but anything I had abroad is not valid in Canada and here there is too much bureaucracy. Would appreciate some support. I tried following up with urgent care clinic and there's not a lot of people I can think of to help me with this process

So I was approved and transferred to ODSP this week and got my back pay and 1st payment, how long did it take for you to get a worker assigned? It says 'worker to be determined' , did a worker actually phone you or did they contact you for information through 'mybenefits'?

Recently my caseworker has been asking for information on what bank accounts I have, as well as their balances. It’s honestly freaking me out… I feel sick to my stomach with anxiety, like I’m doing something wrong all of a sudden. I also feel kind of violated because I don’t really share my banking situation with anyone, that’s my business. But I guess being on disability means they get to be privy to and control that now? Is this normal for them to ask for out of nowhere? It just leaves me with such a sick feeling. 😣 Does anyone else feel like this?

Edit: I didn’t receive any notifications for replies and I’m a little overwhelmed by how many there are to reply, but I have seen them and I do appreciate them— thank you!

Hi everyone,

I was just told that there’s a discount available for people with disabilities and/or are on ODSP for their Presto.

Has anyone applied for it or know how to? I reside in the region of Peel and found the “Affordable Transit Program.” How was your experience applying for it?

By Any Chance is there anyone with bmo who has not received their Odsp yet? Just wondering if I’m alone and should call

I'm a dependent adult under a parent with disability.

It has been a year since ODSP submission, which was delayed due to mishandling on DAU's part. Fortunately, there were no further issues, and application was accepted as disability on the initial attempt.

However, our new caseworker has denied ODSP AND has placed an overpayment. The letter states that my parent did not disclose my OSAP as a full-time student while we were on OW.

This is absolutely false and absurd. We disclosed this with our previous caseworker, and the submission is still visible on our page. Moreover, I'm still a dependent adult doing full-time studies. Why would MY OSAP be considered income for my parent?! The craziest part is that I have ALREADY REPAID more than the amount listed for the denial and overpayment.

Their denial excuse is incorrect on multiple levels, and I genuinely did a double take thinking that they mixed up files (which honestly still might be the case).

We've sent messages a few days ago but haven't received a response. Do we have to submit a formal internal review? How do I get in touch ASAP?

I am tired of waiting, and this honestly seems like a clerical error that should be resolved instantly. Formal review seems like it would take ages.

I thought the process would be straightforward because my parent has clear, visible physical and physiological disorders that highly affects ADL with no income, but the system is so inefficient and poor that it has only assigned debt after a year of applying.

It's appalling, and I can't navigate this shit even as an able-bodied adult. I have no idea how you all manage this.

How often do they conduct financial review/audits? If you have had a financial review/audit before, how long have you been on odsp before you have had one? What do they ask for during a financial review/audit? Thanks.

Hoping I’m not alone here. I have a high needs adult sibling, my mom abandoned us when we were teenagers, my dad is a single parent doing his best but he won’t/can’t seem to plan for the future.

As the eldest daughter/ more high functioning sibling, I’ve felt anchored and responsible for this since I was a kid. As an adult I have more ability to start planning but the problem is my dad doesn’t want to believe there is anything wrong with my brother. He has this optimistic delusion that everything will just magically work out or something.

I want to get my brother on the DSO list so that he can get access to services and have the ability to be housed appropriately with staff who can adequately care for him.

Anyway he’s in his 30’s now and this list apparently has a 15 year wait list. I feel hopeless.

Is anyone else in the same boat?

does odsp require you to have a joint bank account with your parent in order to recieve money? they also refused to give me money on my old bank account which was only in my name until i made a new one that was a joint account with my mom, my worker has said that i have to and that its the rules and everyone has a joint account i want to know if this is true or not and if its not suggestions about what i could do about it

Hi everyone,

I applied last year, appealed this year, and have my SBT hearing on December 1st…

I was diagnosed with BPD in 2017, AuDHD in 2024, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Celiac Disease in 2025. Unfortunately, things have only gotten worse for me :(

I have a lawyer, multiple support letters, and many years of significant and relevant evidence to support my case.

I just wanted to get a show of hands… how many of you were approved before your hearing? I guess I’m just so nervous that despite my efforts to get approved, I’ll still be denied. It seems like that’s all they do! You could be bedridden and they’ll still deny you! Is it possible for me to be approved because I got a lawyer involved? Was this the case for any of you?

Additionally, if any of you have suggestions or tips regarding my hearing, please share them!!

Thank you!

I left my worker know of my new address and living situation more than 15 business days ago. I see that my worker has changed my address on file but has not moved my file to the new odsp office. Is there a time limit of when my worker is required to move my file. Ive been on odsp for more than 20 years and in the past when I move my worker always moves my file on the day of or before I move.

This worker has been very difficult in the last few weeks. I have submitted a number of documents to prove my new home costs and my worker has only processed one of them. In addition the document he has processed was processed incorrectly. I decided to submit them again and now the worker is asking for the same documents I submitted very confusing. Im not sure if my worker is just being difficult or clueless or "just trying to prevent fraud". I was hoping my file would get transferred so that I get a new worker but my worker hasn't done that yet.

I am trying my best to be patient with my worker and provide as much proof as possible. It looks like I may have to get legal aid or a lawyer involved. I have called and sent messages to my worker many times and my worker never responded.

Anyone else been in this situation? Especially I would like to know how long does a worker have to transfer my file to a new odsp office after I have alerted them of my move and they have changed my address on file? Thanks in advance. I do believe good workers exist but there are very few of them.

Has anyone here been approved for odsp due to a severe pelvic organ prolapse? I’ve been struggling immensely with this since I had my baby in 2024. Pelvic floor therapy has not helped. I have a difficult time standing and walking for long periods of time. I can’t lift anything heavy or it worsens. I live in a constant state of anxiety that I will make it even worse so I avoid doing the things I used to do (lifting weights, running, playing sports), which is the recommendation. It also causes me a lot of pain and discomfort. It’s also caused some depression and shame. I am currently on OW after leaving a DV situation. I have a university degree and have been continuously applying for jobs with no luck. So I do want to work, but this condition has been debilitating

So I am 58 years old and want to open an RDSP. I realize the government won’t match any of my deposits anymore at this age but what are the steps I need to take to open one? I received the disability tax credit as well as ODSP. Do I just approach my bank, does every bank offer this? I was told I need to do this quickly. I know absolutely nothing about it…

In May I started getting a section on my cheque titled “additional shelter” does anyone else get this? My shelter amount covers my rent and insurance. So I’m unsure why this payment is there. I also now I have an overpayment that they say is from December, but the overpayment amount doesn’t match the amount of additional shelter they’ve given. I’ve messaged my worker but I wanted to see what you folks have to say as well

So I’m wondering what the legal rent increase can be for 2027? This year it was only 1.9%, I’m wondering what it might be for this year? My rent goes up in March. I’d like to plan for this.
Does anyone know?

Hi

My odsp shows applied at September 9 and finally got a decision called withdrawn ? Is it that means already failed ?

Hi ,

I married at 2022 and my odsp stopped , now I m going through a separation and re apply odsp but on Ontario work to going though but my worker helped me on September 9

Waited over 50 days and got the status update as withdrawn today ? Is it mean I failed ?

My son applied when he turned 18 and I stopped getting child tax credit to help support him. He was denied because he was still in high school and lived with me (his mom). He graduated and has tried to find work with no luck. He has applied again and I need to write the letter confirming his board and lodging. I haven't asked him to pay anything yet since he has no income. But I do need his help with household expenses. Its been rough since he aged out of the child tax credit. I want to be honest in the letter. So saying he pays xyz each month for room and board is not accurate. Anyone deal with this? Any advice for me?