4. Go to the appointment with ODSP
The Ontario Human Rights Commission has released their latest take on mandatory vaccines, passports and testing, here: http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/news_centre/ohrc-policy-statement-covid-19-vaccine-mandates-and-proof-vaccine-certificates. In light of this update, and the new directives that the Province released a few weeks ago, we are in the process of updating our covid testing content. Please re-visit the site to access the updated content when it is available.
Question & Answer
How do I start an ODSP application?At the appointment, you meet with an Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) worker. They ask you for information to show that you qualify financially for .
You will need to:
- give personal and financial information about yourself, each member of your family, and anyone else who lives with you
- give documents that relate to yourself and other people in your household
- sign forms that the ODSP worker fills out with you
Other adult family members who ODSP says are in your household also have to come to the appointment. ODSP calls this your “benefit unit”.
Collecting documents
Make sure to bring all the documents that you’ll need.
Listed below are the types of documents ODSP can ask you for to prove you qualify financially.
Personal identification documents
This includes:
- birth certificates or passports
- health cards
- Indian status cards
- immigration documents
Legal documents
This includes:
- separation or divorce papers
- custody documents
- support orders
Proof of income and assets
This includes:
- bank statements or bank
- proof of from any source, including employment, support payments, workers’ compensation, Employment Insurance, and payments from tenants, roomers, and boarders
- the notice of assessment that you get from the after you send in your income tax return
- information about , including registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) statements, car ownership papers, life insurance policies, and bonds
Proof of work and education
This includes:
- pay stubs, Record of Employment, or letter of termination
- documents that prove you or someone in your household is going to school
Proof of debts
This includes:
- credit card bills or cash advances from your credit card
- student loans, such as loans from the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
- other loans, even if the loan is from a relative or friend
Documents related to housing
This includes:
- rent receipts and leases or tenancy agreements
- mortgage agreements and statements
- other bills related to housing costs, such as bills for hydro, water, gas, property tax, and home or apartment insurance
Keep copies of documents
Make sure to keep copies of any documents that you give to the ODSP worker. You can ask the worker to give you a list to prove what documents you gave them. You can also ask the worker to make copies of any documents that you bring to the appointment.
