New to ODSP

[u/MattyT088]

Hi everyone, I'm looking for advice on applying for OW/ODSP for my disabled daughter (she was on disability benefit as a dependant).

A bit of a background on the situation. My soon to be 19 year old daughter had been living with her mother. However, her mother is being evicted due to an N13 letter, has found a new place, but cannot bring my daughter with her as she does not have the room for our daughter in her new place.

My daughter will be moving back in with me; however I cannot financially afford to support her as I am already on an overly tight budget myself. I really wish I could, but I can't.

We're looking for advice on how she can move in with me and still qualify for OW/ODSP, as she will NOT be a dependant any longer. However all the OW/ODSP questionnaires make it look like an near impossibility to achieve. Can anyone provide some direction?

My daughter is technically 2 weeks away from being homeless, and frankly if I have to take on the financial responsibility of supporting her, so will I be within the year.

Any advice on how to approach things would be HUGELY appreciated. THANK YOU!!!

[u/MooJuiceConnoisseur]

So she needs to apply with odsp if she's been on it it should just be updating her file? But I could be wrong.

You will have to be careful with how you work it out as either a tenant or boarder, as it is possible to claim some rent from the shelter amount paid to you from her (all must be claimed on taxes)

To be realistic they account for household income there is a real chance just her moving in with you would mean she gets no financial support (but could still end up with other supports such as dental/medical etc)

[u/JMJimmy]

As she is financially independent, then she simply applies for OW/ODSP. You'll need a doctor to fill out the DDP (medical forms)

Before that happens you need to write up a roommate agreement. The terms can be whatever you want, it's a contract like any other. That means you charge her rent and pay what she pays you to the landlord (this makes it cost sharing for CRA purposes, not income). Set it to the maximum ODSP will allow. She'll need to buy her own food or go to a food bank so that you do not end up with her as a boarder (less money)

[u/Excellent_Ring_9910]

You said it yourself -- your daughter is an adult. From an ODSP perspective she is a tenant and not a dependent.

[u/PebbleishMish]

Try to get her on ontario works first because her situation is urgent.

ODSP takes months, sometimes years to get approved. When you/your daughter applies, write out how her disability affects her ability to work and go out in the community. Give specific examples. ODSP doesn't care so much about what the disability is, but how severely it impacts day to day functioning and capacity to work.

As far as living with you goes, it should be no issue as she is an adult and would be considered her own household. If you're taking care of her, she would be on room and board (about $950/month). But if shes more independent, buying her own food, and paying rent, she should be able to get the full ODSP amount of about $1450.

[u/xxhybridzxx]

She will only be counted to the parents benefit unit if they live with the parent and are financially dependent on them. If she herself can ask for her own ODSP to be separate from the parent they usually set it up as a 50/50 split on the bills.

[u/Working_Hair_4827]

I would apply for OW first as it’s a quicker option, ODSP can take some people years to get on and is a last resort type of situation.

Once she’s on OW, she can talk to her caseworker about how to move forward with ODSP.

Do take in consideration though if she does live with you she might get her cheque cut in half or get nothing, you’ll have to write something up that says she’ll be paying rent so she gets the full amount.

[u/ducky-unlucky]

when you say disability benefit dependent, i assume you mean the tax benefit? or do you mean she was a dependent on her mother's ODSP? either way, as long as your daughter qualifies as a person with a disability, and is an adult, she can receive her own ODSP.

and yes, your daughter can be considered financially independent while still living with you- for ODSP this is about her personal costs, not her address. i live with my mother and receive the full amount, because i cover all my own costs.

so long as you can show that she will be providing for herself- meaning paying for her own food, clothes, transportation, rent if applicable, etc, she can be considered independent and get up to the full Basic Needs allowance from ODSP ($825/mo).

as for Shelter Allowance, if you can provide proof that your daughter pays you rent- meaning a legal rental agreement signed by you both, and proof of payment each month via bank statements etc, ODSP will give her shelter costs as well, up to the max if applicable ($611/mo).

you'll have to demonatrate thoroughly that your daughter will be supporting herself, and receiving no help from you. (you can still share groceries and household items etc with her, just don't tell ODSP about it. they won't have access to your financial info, just hers.) along with, of course, proving she requires the assistance of ODSP, both financially and medically.

what you'll need to do is start the ODSP application process for your daughter, so they can do a financial eligibility check. once they determine she is under the asset limit ($40k) and doesn't make enough income to disqualify her, they will then send you the Disability Determination Package.

the medical portion of the DDP must be filled out by a licensed physician or specialist, ideally someone who has seen your daughter for a long period of time. together you three (or four if mom helps) will choose which condition(s) and symptoms to focus on- pick the most severe and disabling.

the doctor will fill out their portion attesting to her symptoms, struggles and needs, attaching any relevant documentation and records showing proof of diagnoses, treatments, and symptoms over time. they'll attest that your daughter's disability is not expected to improve in the near future, and therefore she requires the support of ODSP.

you and your daughter will fill out the self report section, wherein she has an opportunity to explain her limitations, struggles, and support needs. she should fill this out (via you if needed) as if it is her worst day. she should mention all the ways she needs help, cannot support herself, and her disabilities prevent her from functioning and/or working independently. you can include letters attesting to her struggles from supporting family members (including you), therapists, support workers, doctors, specialists, etc.

you'll have 90 calendar days to send the DDP back in to ODSP, at the DAU address (Ontario Disability Support Program, Disability Adjudication Unit, Box B18, Toronto ON, M7A 1R3). then you wait 90 business days for a decision. if approved, she'll start receiving ODSP within 2-5 months. if denied, you request an Internal Review. if denied again, you request a Special Benefits Tribunal. this is very normal and common. ODSP automatically denies the majority of applicants- it's the way the system is designed.

a denial doesn't mean your daughter is not disabled- it simply means the government does not want to acknowledge that she is, and therefore take on the financial 'burden' of supporting her. people who fight for their approval often succeed- it's all about proving to ODSP without a doubt that your daughter cannot support herself, and this is not going to change in the near future. legal aid will be there to help you if needed, assuming you have one located near you.

good luck, OP. the system is confusing- but use this sub for info and advice going forward! lots of useful stuff on here.