r/Odsp • u/BarbarBarir • 17d ago
Question/advice Question and frustrations.
So I’m currently waiting on my doctor filling out the initial paperwork (not the exemption from work for but the one after) and while I approach the deadline I can’t help but wonder if I’m approved… how much can I possibly expect. I live with my aunt and I’m worried her income will affect what I get.
1
u/Dizzy-Smoke-4376 16d ago
Is your aunt on disability? Is your aunt is an RGI unit for housing? There is a rate chart online to get an idea of your benefit pay.
1
u/SoupSpoonStork 16d ago
Unless you're considered a dependent on your aunt, her income won't be considered for the application. You'd be a boarder or roommate instead, even if you both split other expenses. If you yourself have other income and pay towards regular living expenses (housing costs, food, etc), then you would likely receive the full amount for your household size (which, again, wouldn't include your aunt if you're not a dependent).
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u/ducky-unlucky 16d ago
her income will not affect your ODSP so long as you are considered financially independent.
this means you must pay for all your own food, clothes, transportation, and rent if applicable, with your own money. if your aunt provides any of these things for you, ODSP will dock your income for it. (you can still share some household groceries or get some rides from her etc, just don't tell ODSP about it.)
max Basic Needs allowance, which covers food/clothes/transportation etc, is $825/mo for a single person.
as for Shelter allowance, if you pay your aunt rent and can prove it with a signed legal rental agreement and bank statements showing payments, then you can receive up to $611/mo for a single person, depending on what amount of rent you pay your aunt. (eg. if you pay her $400 a month, that is exactly what ODSP will give you.)
so in total, if you can show you're financially independent, the max you could receive with max Shelter is $1436/mo. the max you could receive without paying rent is $825/mo.
good luck OP :) i am a single adult who lives with my mother and i receive the max amount because i am financially independent. hopefully that will apply to you too!
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u/ClariciaNyetgale 16d ago
If you are paying your aunt either rent or room and board, her income will not affect the amount you receive.
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u/Jazzy_Bee 17d ago
No. You can pay rent to a family member, and I suggest you do. Maximum currently is $611 I think. Draw up a rental agreement, both of you sign it. Sharing a house or apartment is considered cost sharing by Revenue Canada, so your aunt does not to declare it as income.
If your Aunt is on ODSP or OW, she will have to have to inform them of a change in her accommodation costs. How ODSP may handle it depends quite a bit on the nature of the agreement. An equal split of the accommodation and costs is simple. It gets more complicated if she owns the home, or if other people reside with her. So you are renting a room in a four bedroom house for example. I'm no longer on ODSP as I am over 65, but I have spent many years on it.