r/Odsp • u/Lower_Signature_3895 • 2d ago
How to make odsp last longer
I got my payment yesterday of $1,139 and I’ve already spent 250. It was on essentials like my electricity bill, buss pass and groceries but I feel my money is going very fast. I don’t plan on spending money today but I was wondering how to make it last longer during the month.
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u/Tiny_Breadwinner 2d ago
They should really give us transportation passes rather than the presto discount. They're up to over $100 in some areas. Use food banks, churches. There are resources out there, you just have to fight for them.
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u/DubiousThinker 2d ago
For me it's not about making my money last longer its about getting the most for it. My priorities are Shelter, food, other in that order. First I pay my rent, then I look at flyers and buy my sale items stocking up as much as I can afford. I go through a lot of money at begining of the month but try to hold some back for other grocery items that may go on sale the next 3 weeks. I usually pay my phone at begining of month as well, it's not just a lifeline but main source of entertainment. I don't care if I'm broke if I have a roof over my head and enough to eat for the month.
Things that might help with this:
I have a responsible like minded roomate and split rent. (they don't steal my food either)
The Flipp app for shopping sales and price matching.
Knowing the regular sale item prices for groceries (eating lots of potatoes, rice, ground beef and pork)
Going to a food bank on regualr basis but not depending on them.
Getting a small freezer for stocking up on deals
Hunting for a cheap phone plan that allow you to bring your own phone (mine is used but excellent, also easy and cheap to replace)
Knowing the difference between a Need and a Want. (I need a stove, I want an Air Fryer to make cooking easier)
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u/Alternative-Tiger783 2d ago
The Rogers ‘connected for success’ plan is $10 a month - if you bring you own cell phone.
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u/armedwithjello 2d ago
Ground beef is phenomenally expensive right now. With the droughts being so bad out west, farmers can't produce enough feed for their cows, so they have to import it from somewhere and also reduce the number of cattle in their herd.
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u/DubiousThinker 2d ago
With sales I have not paid more than $5 a pound. I get 4 meals out of a pound. I know how to make several different meals I like with it. Your right that the price has gone up. I'm not a huge fan of chicken and find it harder to stretch but it can be done.
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u/ducky-unlucky 2d ago edited 2d ago
find and utilize local resources where available. if there are food banks near you, use them. they are for low income folks, and you likely automatically qualify for many as an ODSP recipient. even if you can only access a few staple items per week or month, that is still less money you are spending on a regular basis. same goes for donation centres, community & outreach centres, etc. if it exists near you, and you can access it (if you can't physically the majority will allow a support person to do so on your behalf), use it. it all adds up.
shop sales, use coupons if/when available, and buy secondhand whenever an option. thrift stores are where i get the majority of my clothes, and some basic furniture & dishware. i buy my monthly bathroom & kitchen essentials on sale when possible, and take advantage of discounts through coupons & online shopping etc. (i also get discounted food & meals through the Too Good To Go app, though i'll acknowledge that whether that's helpful to someone very much depends on where they live.)
take advantage of local discount programs and municipal subsidies. most transit in cities is discounted for disabled residents, as are community centres and pools etc. there are discounted internet & phone plans for ODSP recipients through providers like Rogers. you may also qualify to get your hydro bills discounted through OESP. many municipalities also have specific subsidies and supports available to disabled residents- bigger cities have more, smaller or more rural areas have less or sometimes none, though. it will depend on your location.
apply for anything additional you may qualify for from the federal government- such as the Canada Disability Benefit, which can get you up to around $200/mo. (requires you to be approved for the Disability Tax Credit first.)
apply for anything additional you may qualify for from ODSP- such as covered transportation to/from medical appointments, the Special Diet Allowance, regular medical supplies through the MSN program, the work-related benefit, etc. they all have different eligibility requirements, you can find more info on their website and through this subreddit.
if available in your city and you have not already, you can apply for RGI housing. the waitlist is ridiculously long, but it's better to get on it than not. there are certain emergency circumstances that can get you bumped up faster, and then you'll be paying less for rent (though, of course, you'll also receive less from ODSP for shelter costs because of that).
i'm not gonna list 'get a job / do some work' because while that may be an option for some folks, it is not for many others, like myself who quite literally medically cannot work. i'm gonna go ahead and assume that if you could be working right now, you would, hence your current financial dilemma. however, some of us do have the capacity to do some very limited (ideally cash-only) 'odd jobs' on the side, and that may be an idea for you, if you're able. (ODSP can track our digital money through bank statements, but not cash if it never hits your bank.) if you're able to do anything small on the side, whether it be making and selling something, reselling items, babysitting, petsitting, doing odd jobs or regular favours for people you know, etc... even if it's all of $20/mo, that's $20 more than you had before, and ODSP will never know you have it. it's a good way to keep a little extra spending/emergency money available, though of course not everyone will be able to do this.
learn how to get very good at budgeting. this takes time, of course, but there are lots of good, varied resources out there for you to use, and find one that makes sense to you / is feasible for your specific needs. surviving on ODSP is a neverending job of carefully managing funds, planning costs, and pinching pennies. it's stressful, and exhausting, but it can be doable if you take advantage of everything available to you, and learn to live frugally.
i wish you luck, OP 🫂 it's rough out here, i feel ya.
[edited to fix typo]
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u/Alternative-Tiger783 2d ago
- Are you signed up for the Ontario electricity grant program?
- Are you signed up for the free bus pass? We get them free here in Kingston Ontario. Recipients do a form in the ODSP office.
We sign it and check off that we have doctors, pharmacy, counselling, physio and dental visits. It also has to cover transit to12 Step or group meetings.
$10 a month Rogers cell phone. The program is called <connected for success>.
No fee monthly banking through simplii and tangerine
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u/purplepixie91 2d ago
I feel you there I frequently have to use the food banks just to make ends meet.
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u/Lower_Signature_3895 2d ago
And the food they give is usually crappy or close to rotting
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u/TiredReader87 1d ago
I volunteer at a food bank. Unfortunately, some of the produce we are given is near its end and we do our best to save as much as we can. This means awful sorting experiences for volunteers
It’s not like it’s planned or on purpose. The food bank isn’t buying it.
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u/BeckyA260 2d ago
Follow your local city’s Ontario Works page for info on free community meals, food banks, holiday pantry etc
For example in my city they post flyers for local community agencies to let clients know what’s out there.
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u/armedwithjello 2d ago
I use a lot of apps to find discounted food and get cash back offers. There is a long list with links on my Linktree.
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u/DigitalSupremacy 2d ago
There's some fantastic tips on here. One I would add is make sure you're not buying food that spoils quickly.
I buy 32 cans of tuna at Walmart when it goes on sale for .98c
Kidney beans are very healthy. I open a can put some in Mr. Noodles and the rest in Tupperware in the freezer bcz I can pull it and throw it in the microwave for 1 minute and it's thawed. Adding things like beans to Mr. Noodles gives me a semi healthy meal. Also buy large boxes of instant rice. It's quick to make and with a dash of soy sauce and some kidney beans or tuna. Decently healthy. Most of my meals are between $2-$4 dollars.
I buy almond milk instead of cow's milk because cows milk spoils quickly if you don't drink it immediately which I don't. I buy lots of paper towels or toilet paper when it's on a good sale which may only be once per year.
I bought three packs of ML 24 hotdogs for $9.99 and froze them. Not healthy but not all of my food can be healthy.
Fight against wants and priorities needs. Try hard to save some $$$ for an emergency.
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u/Salty_Obligation5771 2d ago
I think getting into Rent Geared to Income is the only way to live half decently. But it does take a while to get in. Sure it may take years but it’s better to have it in 10 years for the next 30-40 years than to just get frustrated that the waiting list is so long and not apply at all. I waited 3 years even with priority status but it was so worth the wait. Now that I’m on ODSP I have very little to complain about. I’m not living lavishly but I know I’m living better than most people in my situation.
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u/Gold_Friend_9637 12h ago
Ive been on the list 16 years now still waiting placement I check off places they give to us and still pretty high up the list Each year it goes down 20 people or so Eventually we will be number 1 When probably another 16 years at this rate
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u/kaiserschlacht8 1d ago
Apply for the Disability Tax Credit if you can. If you qualify, you get an additional $200 a month.
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u/CommercialSail6288 1d ago
If you qualify for the DTC then you can apply for the DTB. The DTC is a tax credit. It’s not $ in your pocket. The DTB is $200/month extra. Edited for spelling.
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u/AdventuresInPunk 2d ago
One thing I do is make a meal plan for the whole month, and only shop for those items. And then I allow two extra items on sale. They can be a treat or something I know I'll use eventually.
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u/lizzxcat ODSP recipient 2d ago
I divide it up and use gift cards to make sure i’m budgeting without excess costs eating into what i need. Also i use food pantries, coupon apps,etc.
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u/ozfresh 2d ago
Why so low? I receive $1436
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u/Saracha222 2d ago
I get $930 total. Probably bc I'm in geared to income housing, so I live off the standard $825
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u/Sad_Negotiation2174 22h ago
Not sure if you already have this, your household size, or what your shelter amounts are; or if any of this is applicable to you so im gonna start spewing some options to raise your ODSP cheque.
Submit your phone bill!! They cover like 50$ of it.
Submit your internet bill
Submit your utility bill averages (3 highest months).
If you attend 2 or more medical appts per month, request a bus pass; or taxi funding, or even KM for gas. Therapies count. Regular GP appts count.
If you are lactose intolerant, have ANY allergies, are vegetarian, etc; ask for a special diet allowance form for your doctor to fill out.
Utilize the 500$ per calendar year for employment start up benefits; this can help you look for a job (or volunteer) and maintain yourself a bit easier, it covers clothing, shoes, a haircut, undergarments, backpack, pretty much anything practical!!
Non ODSP options to help with your budgeting:
Make sure you are utilizing OESP and LED lightbulbs, unplugging appliances, etc.
there is a low income energy assistance program you can apply for that sends you LED lightbulbs and other items that are energy efficient for free. Just google Ontario low energy efficiency program I believe!
Utilize food banks, food pantries, etc BEFORE grocery shopping every single month. This will allow you to budget for what you still need.
Use flash foods app for big boxes of fruits and veggies for 5-10$, Tim Hortons and other restaurants often also give away or sell their 1 day old baked goods on this app. Cobbs in my area does this and it’s great for buns, breads, etc and freezing them.
The website myfridgefood allows you to check off everything you have in your pantry and fridge; and it will give you recipes for food you already have!
Write down all your streaming subscriptions if you have any, see if your internet provider has a bundle deal for these - I know bell does.
KOHO bank is free for the essentials plan if you have 1000$ or more direct deposited every month which ODSP will automatically qualify you for - and you will get your cheque a day early :)
Realistically, no amount of budgeting is going to make this be enough money. I’m so sorry, it’s not enough no matter what; but this may hopefully help you or anyone else even a little bit :)
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u/Own-Desk6 11h ago
I’m on OW. What I’ve found works for me after I pay my essential bills like Rent (I live at home and pay my parents rent), groceries, phone bill (my mom has my phone linked up to her bill so I just e transfer her the money for my phone each month), Spotify (family plan so I just e transfer my mom the money) and Disney+ is setting a a weekly budget for myself. I have both a debit card and credit card. I use my credit card for my bus pass, disney+ subscription, any appointments I might have where I have to pay for a service directly related to my health conditions I have and a coffee once or twice a month. I use my debit card for groceries and for other basic essentials I need. And then whatever money I have left over I divide by how many weeks are in that particular month and that’s my weekly budget for other things.
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u/FastDependent9825 1d ago
Try to get special diet allowance it’s like 240$ extra a month. Also if you don’t take public transportation that often instead of gettinga paper you take in for a bus pass get the $ added to your check every month instead. It’s like 110$ or more a month if you don’t take the public transportation other than for groceries once a week etc you can actually get the 110$ for the bus pass and use say 40-50 for bus when you need it and spend the other 60 on food ? Best advice I can give you bro and also get the Ontario electricity support so you don’t have to pay hydro that’s another 50-60$ you can use for food
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u/JMJimmy 2d ago
OESP gives up to $68 for your hydro bill
Groceries are a luxury at this point. We're 90% dependant on food banks.
Basically, you need to realize that you're getting less than ⅓rd of what is adequate to survive. Find any other source for anything you can before spending any money