Many state-sponsored social benefit programs, such as the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Ontario Works (OW), come with financial eligibility criteria. The purpose of such requirements is to match the benefits provided with the applicants’ needs. Today I’d like to talk about ODSP’s asset restrictions.
As I have indicated in the past (“A Brief Note on the Ontario Disability Support Program,” February 11, 2009), an applicant must meet the legislative criteria to be found as a person with a disability before he or she may receive the benefits. Besides the medical findings, there are additional financial eligibility requirements.
For example,* for a single applicant without dependents, he or she may have assets not exceeding $5,000.00 unless the assets are otherwise exempted under the regulation.
Compared with other social benefit programs, the ODSP provides a wide-range of exempted assets. Below is a partial list:
- the principal residence
- a motor vehicle
- a second motor vehicle valued at less than $15,000
- tools that are essential to the person’s employment
- business assets up to $20,000
- a student loan, award, or grant, as approved
- a prepaid funeral
- damages or compensation for pain and suffering
- WSIB compensation received
The Director of the determines on whether an applicant is financially eligibile. If an applicant is denied support because of financial ineligibility, he or she may appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal after an internal review has been requested.
*O. Reg. 222/98
Note: This article is not substitute of the legislation. The law may have been changed since the publication of the article. This article does not constitute legal advice.
