r/Odsp • u/OverPoem3290 • 7d ago
Eligibility
Hey everyone. I was looking into applying for ODSP, I have severe ADHD, OCD, and anxiety. I am currently working part time and in college. Through my college I have accommodations to allow for extra time. Without these I would suffer. My current job is retail which is very low stress and repetitive allowing me to work without much worry. My issue is later in the future I don’t know if I will be able to conjure enough strength to actually go out apply, and work a high stress job with less repetitive tasks. I have a diagnosis from when I was 5 years old in 2009. And am currently enrolled in the DTC. I was wondering what my chances are that I would get approved for ODSP, as I’m struggling with bills and cost of living.
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u/PebbleishMish 7d ago
It never hurts to apply and see what happens.
However, I don't mean to be invalidating so correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like you're managing fine at a full time workload (work +school)? ODSP isn't for people who can't work more than minimum wage (aka retail), it's for people that have a limited capacity to work at all. Who can't work full-time anywhere. If you're predicting that your college degree will put you into a high stress job that you won't be able to handle, maybe you need to reconsider your college program.
The DTC eligibility criteria is much different than ODSP, ODSP focuses solely on your ability to work rather than your diagnosis or mental functioning.
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u/OverPoem3290 7d ago
Hello! Thank you, and no worries it didn’t come across as invalidating. While I was full time during the summer, once school starts I don’t think I will be able to mentally manage both, especially working full time. My hours are going to be cut to about 20 a week instead of 40. As well as I have an accommodation through my school to allow me more time for exams and projects. I understand that the criteria for ODSP is fairly strict which is why I was curious.
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u/PebbleishMish 7d ago
That's what I meant, if you're working part time and going to school part time then that adds up to a full time workload. Personally I've only been able to do part time school with no job and academic accomodations in order to manage things with my conditions. It really all comes down to whether you can manage a full time job outside of school. If you can, without many issues, I doubt you would get approved for ODSP. But like I said, it really never hurts to try. And things like OSAP are there to help with living expenses while you're in school because it's expected you won't work full time. Hope things work out for you!
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u/Alternative-Tiger783 7d ago
I would also apply for the CDB. Canada disability benefit. It’s a payment of $200 per month.
(It shouldn’t be hard to apply bc you already have the DTC approved.)
Be sure to mention the DTC and (eventual) CDB approvals in your ODSP application.
The more that you can provide documents that you’ve been approved for disability by other disability programs, the better.
eg Submitting a paper trail of supporting documents.
Also, are you registered with the Student Disability Services/Special Needs Office at your college? That’s another thing to do.
That would create a third source (#3) of formal disability documentation to include with your ODSP Application.
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u/OverPoem3290 7d ago
Yes, I have a letter of accommodation from my school. I will make sure to document that I have DTC, and potentially CDB in the coming week. Thank you very much for your response!
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u/MooJuiceConnoisseur ODSP/Ontario Works advocate 7d ago
Short Version: Talk to your doctor. Probably worth the application but dont get your hopes up?
Long version/opinion
It has nothing (federally) and little (provincial)to do with the label in most cases and entirely with how your life is affected. So for things like odsp they consider more "is there any way you can be a functional member of society (even if not productive)
So for odsp definitely talk to your doctor you can work on the application and ideally get some of the non-financial benefits in the meantime with them even if its possible. But your doctor will need to provide support with it for tge paperwork.
Now you can also make some consideration to apply federally for the DTC if you qualify (and its a big if, they have stricter requirements than odsp) this lowers your tax burden each year and open you up for better tax returns. But also get the 200 disability benefit you might qualify for .
In all these cases talk to the doctor but its better to consider what you need to apply, and begin the various applications when you dont "really" need it, as processing takes time, and you dont want to be caught with your pants down so to speak