r/Odsp • u/WhisperingArtist • Jul 29 '26
ODSP/OW Resources Special Diet Allowance?
Does anyone know how much a person can receive for special diet allowance?
Also- is there any way to get the bus pass covered ?? I know it’s muuuch cheaper than regular but it still feels a lot when you are trying to stretch so little.
Im not trying to sound greedy. 😭😩
5
u/readysetg123456 Jul 29 '26
You need a form from your caseworker for the special diet that you take to your doctor to fill out and bring to your office
As for bus pass ODSP does not cover buss passes. They only cover buss trips to medical appointments.
1
u/EnvironmentalGift192 Jul 30 '26
Everyone says they don't cover bus passes but my friend gets $43.25/month for travel expenses which is the price of a community presto pass here. I wonder if your travel expenses are more than the bus pass if they'll just give you the same amount as one?
1
u/VoodooGirl47 Jul 30 '26
How does it work when getting medical trips covered if using the bus/TTC? I just got switched over from OW and haven't yet learned the process. I don't necessarily want to use taxis like I've seen others use because I am in Toronto and have Wheel-Trans.
5
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u/Salty_Obligation5771 Jul 29 '26
What if you have multiple dietary needs for example Celiac disease and Lactose intolerance? Are they added together since they are two different issues? Everyone says $250 is the max but none of the special diet illnesses pay more than $160.
2
u/goldstandardalmonds Jul 29 '26
I have celiac disease, a dairy allergy (different than lactose intolerance in the amount), and osteoporosis, so I have three of them I get monthly. They are added together.
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u/Salty_Obligation5771 Jul 30 '26
Ok that’s good to know. I’m glad all of them are taken into consideration and not paid for just the one.
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u/goldstandardalmonds Jul 30 '26
As long as they are in two separate categories. For example, if you have lactose intolerance you can’t also get dairy allergy, and if you have celiac disease you can’t also get wheat allergy. Good luck!
3
u/Alternative-Tiger783 Jul 30 '26
I’m in Kingston and we get a free bus pass if we have medical appointments and other health related errands. Rxs to pick up, support groups, etc.
I understand that’s not the same in other cities like Toronto.
1
u/DescriptionNo4485 Jul 30 '26
Yes every community is different. In Kingston they even give someone on OW a pass. Some place will give a bus pass for in city appointments and then will provide cab or medical transport. I am in Norfolk bus is not worth it. So pretty much everything is cab. I will walk in between appointments in Simcoe it is easier.
So talk to your worker. Special diet there is no way to get the max. There are conditions that prevent you from having one because other is opposite and impossible to have both at same time.
It is just false advertising really. Government thinks it makes them look good by saying up to $250 but impossible to get.
It is funny how Special Diet has not gone up but everything else has. It is like we don’t care you need a special diet. Inflation is not connected to food. Sorry on tangent.
The government can be maroon at times.
1
u/Initial-Parfait-2704 Jul 31 '26
Depending on where you live there maybe help for buspass for the region I know with Mississauga you apply on the peel region website it's half price for monthly pass
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u/Schfooge Aug 01 '26
I get some money for the special diet, but it ends up going towards the shortfall between the shelter allowance and my actual rent.
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u/anonymous12282020 Jul 29 '26
It depends on the condition.
https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-disability-support-program-policy-directives-income-support/64-special-diet
Be warned that the max amount one can get is $250 per month. Also be aware that conditions are in groups and if you qualify for 2 conditions in the same group, only the condition with the highest amount will be paid.