ODSP Eligibility Checker
Complete guide to determining if you qualify for Ontario Disability Support Program benefits
The ODSP Eligibility Checker Tool helps individuals understand whether they may qualify for income support through the Ontario Disability Support Program. When you apply for ODSP or are receiving income support through the program, you need to keep your information up to date to ensure you remain eligible and receive the right amount of money. This is important since your situation may change over time.
Quick ODSP Eligibility Checklist
Use this checklist to see if you may qualify for ODSP income support:
Age requirement: You must be at least 18 years of age (or can apply up to 6 months before turning 18)
Residency requirement: You must be an Ontario resident
Asset limits: Your assets must be no greater than the limits ($40,000 for single person, $50,000 for couple)
Financial need: You must demonstrate financial need based on income, expenses, and family situation
Disability criteria: Meet the program's definition of a person with a disability OR be a member of a prescribed class
If you checked YES to all items, you may be eligible to apply for ODSP. If you answered NO to any item, you may not qualify or may need more information.
Eligibility as a Person with a Disability
To be eligible for ODSP as a person with a disability, you must meet the definition of disability under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act. Being a person with a disability means:
- Substantial impairment: You have a substantial mental or physical impairment that is continuous or recurrent, and is expected to last one year or more
- Substantial restriction: The direct and cumulative effect of your impairment results in a substantial restriction in your ability to work, care for yourself, or take part in community life
- Verification: Your impairment, its likely duration and restrictions have been verified by an approved health care professional
When you apply for ODSP, your caseworker will give you a Disability Determination Package for you and your health care professional(s) to complete. You have 90 days to complete and return the package to the ministry's Disability Adjudication Unit. If you don't send it back within 90 days, we will consider your ODSP application withdrawn unless you make a written request for an extension and we approve it.
Prescribed Classes (No Disability Adjudication Required)
Prescribed classes are specific categories of people who do not have to go through the disability adjudication process to qualify for ODSP income support. Members of prescribed classes include:
- Persons who, on May 31, 1998, were recipients under specific case classes under the Family Benefits Act
- Persons 65+ years old and not eligible for Old Age Security (OAS)
- Recipients of Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D) benefits
- Recipients of Quebec Pension Plan Disability (QPP-D) benefits
- Recipients of awards under the English and Wabigoon River Systems Mercury Contamination Settlement Agreement Act
- Former residents of Schedule 1 facilities under the former Development Service Act (Huronia, Rideau, Southwestern Regional Centres)
- Persons eligible for services under SIPDDA (Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act)
- Persons residing in or formerly in homes under the Homes for Special Care Act
- Residents or former residents of Community Homes for Opportunity
- Persons residing in Provincial Psychiatric Hospitals, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, or Homewood Health Centre
Note: If you are in one of these classes, you must still apply and meet all other ODSP eligibility requirements (age, residency, assets, financial need) to receive income support.
ODSP Asset Limits
There are limits to the amount of non-exempt assets you can have and still be eligible for income support. The asset limits are:
| Family Type |
Asset Limit |
| Single person |
$40,000 |
| Couple |
$50,000 |
Examples of Assets
Assets are property, possessions or money that belong to you or your family. Here are some examples:
- Cash and money in bank accounts
- Stocks and bonds
- Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP)
- Vehicles (beyond your primary vehicle)
- Property (land or additional homes)
- Trust funds
Exempt Assets
Some assets are exempt, which means they do not affect your eligibility for income support:
- The home you own and live in
- Your primary vehicle (the one you use the most)
- Trust funds from inheritance or life insurance, up to allowable limits
- Cash surrender value of life insurance policies, up to allowable limits
- Pre-paid funerals
- Registered Education Savings Plans (RESP)
- Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSP)
- Necessary household and personal items (furniture, clothing)
If you are over the limit: In some cases, you can get approval to save money and assets above the limit. For example, you may save money to buy disability-related items or services approved by your caseworker.
Income and ODSP Eligibility
If you are applying for ODSP or receiving income support, it is important that you tell your caseworker about all money you or your family receive from other sources. In general, any money you or your family receive is income, and may affect your income support.
Examples of Income to Report
- Employment earnings
- Tax benefits
- CPP or QPP benefits
- WSIB benefits
- Self-employment profits
- Spousal support
- Sponsorship support
- GAINS, OAS, GIS
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- Other government programs
- Loans
- Gifts and voluntary payments
- Inheritances
- Trust payments
Exempt Income
Some types of income do not affect your eligibility:
- Child support payments
- Canada Child Tax Benefit
- Ontario Child Benefit
- Payments from RDSP
- OSAP loans and grants used for education costs
Gifts and Voluntary Payments
If you are receiving ODSP income support, you and your family can receive gifts or voluntary payments without affecting your income support, up to certain limits.
Annual limit: You and each family member are allowed to receive a total of up to $10,000 in a 12-month period from:
- Gifts and voluntary payments
- Payments from trusts (including interest earned)
- Payments from life insurance policies
- Inheritances
- Honorariums
- Windfalls (lottery winnings)
If you receive more than $10,000 per family member in a 12-month period, the extra amount above the limit is considered income in the month you receive it. This extra amount may affect your eligibility or benefit amount.
Life Insurance Policies
Under ODSP rules, life insurance includes annuities, deferred annuities, and segregated funds. For you and each family member, up to $100,000 of the cash surrender value of a life insurance policy is exempt as an asset. If you have a trust and a life insurance policy, up to $100,000 of the combined value may be exempt.
Trusts
When assessing your eligibility for ODSP income support, any money held in a trust for you and your family is considered. Up to $100,000 of a trust may be exempt as an asset if the money came from an inheritance or life insurance proceeds. If you have a trust and a life insurance policy, up to $100,000 of the combined value may be exempt.
Payments from trusts: Up to $10,000 of payments from trusts in a 12-month period is exempt as income. If you use payments for approved disability-related items, they may be fully exempt.
Buying Disability-Related Items and Services
If you are receiving ODSP income support, you may be allowed increased limits and flexibility for your assets and income to help you save for or buy approved disability-related items and services:
- Examples: Assistive devices, prosthetics, life-alert systems, attendant care, sign-language interpreting, home accessibility renovations
- Increased asset limits: We can increase your asset limits to help you save for approved items
- Income exceptions: Gifts, trust payments, and other money used for approved disability-related items may be exempt from income calculations
Medical Reviews
A medical review of your disability allows us to determine whether you continue to meet the ODSP definition of a person with a disability. A medical review date is set when a person's condition may improve over time. If you were not assigned a medical review at the time you originally qualified, medical review dates do not apply to you.
When it's time for your medical review, you will be sent a Medical Review Package. An approved health care professional must fill out the forms, and you have 90 days to return them. You can request an extension if needed.
Internal Reviews and Appeals
If you disagree with a decision about your ODSP eligibility, you can ask to have the decision reviewed. This is the first step in the appeal process and is called an internal review. If you don't agree with the internal review decision, you may be able to appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal.
If your income support has stopped, you can apply to Ontario Works if you still need financial help.
ODSP Eligibility Summary
| Eligibility Factor |
Requirement |
| Minimum Age |
18 years (apply up to 6 months before turning 18) |
| Residency |
Ontario resident |
| Single Person Asset Limit |
$40,000 |
| Couple Asset Limit |
$50,000 |
| Gift/Voluntary Payment Limit |
$10,000 per person per 12 months |
| Life Insurance/Trust Exemption |
Up to $100,000 combined |
| Primary Residence |
Exempt asset |
| Primary Vehicle |
Exempt asset |
| RDSP |
Exempt asset and income |
Important Notes:
- This ODSP Eligibility Checker Tool provides general guidance only. Eligibility is determined by the Ontario Disability Support Program when you apply.
- You must report all income, assets, and changes in your circumstances to your caseworker.
- Rules and limits are subject to change – always verify current information with your local ODSP office.
- If you disagree with a decision, you have the right to request an Internal Review and appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal.
- For help with your application, contact your local ODSP office or a community legal clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions About ODSP Eligibility
Because calling means sitting on hold for 40 minutes, getting transferred twice, and still not getting a straight answer. This tool gives you a yes/no reality check in under 2 minutes — no phone anxiety required.
100% free. No sign-up, no credit card, no "subscribe to see results." Just answer a few quick questions and find out if you're likely eligible.
Ontarians with disabilities who are struggling to make ends meet — plus family members, caregivers, and advocates trying to figure out if ODSP is worth applying for before diving into that mountain of paperwork.
A straight answer. You'll see if you likely qualify, how asset limits work ($40k for singles), what happens if you work while on ODSP, and whether an inheritance will mess with your benefits. No legal mumbo jumbo.
Yep — it's based on official ODSP legislation, including asset limits, earnings exemptions ($200 free + 50% of next $300), and the $10,000 gift exemption. It won't get you approved, but it'll tell you if you're wasting your time applying.
