IS ODSP FOR YOU?
I f you are a person with a physical or mental impairment
that is continuous or recurrent, and is expected to last one
year or more, AND if this impairment restricts you from
working and caring for yourself, then you may qualify for
the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
Ontario government’s ODSP offers:
• monthly financial assistance to help you and your family
with essential living expenses – like food, clothing and
shelter. Income support also includes drug and vision care
coverage for clients and their family members.
• if necessary, help finding and keeping a job, and advancing
your career.
To apply, you may do so online or by phone to find your
nearest ODSP office:
Brantford: Toll Free: 1-866-729-2228
Burlington: Toll Free: 1-800-567-6388
Guelph: Toll Free: 1-800-567-2953
Hamilton: Toll Free: 1-800-561-0369
Kitchener/Waterloo: Toll Free: 1-800-441-9820
London: Toll Free: 1-800-265-4197
Mississauga: Toll Free: 1-800-361-0897
St. Catharines: Toll Free: 1-800-263-5413
Toronto: General Inquiry: 416-326-3344
For other locations not listed above,
please inquire at Service Ontario offices,
or call Toronto’s General Inquiry number
listed above.
If you require immediate financial assistance, please contact
your local Ontario Works office. Ontario Works helps people
who are in financial need, with two types of assistance:
1. Financial assistance, including: income support to help
with the costs of basic needs, like food, clothing and shelter
health benefits for clients and their families, and
2. Employment assistance to help clients find, prepare for
and keep a job. This assistance may include workshops on
resume writing and interviewing, job counselling, job-
specific training, access to basic education, so clients can
finish high school or improve their language skills.
In most cases, a client must agree to participate in employment
assistance activities in order to receive financial assistance.
®
®
Léony deGraaf Hastings, CFP, EPC
Certified Financial Planner
Retirement & Estate Specialist
Your Financial Future
Deserves a Financial Plan
B OOK YOUR C OMPLIMENTARY R EVIEW A PPT NOW !
905
905- -632
632- -9900
www.dgfs.ca
For further information contact:
Carol Rame: 905.521.1660 ext 122
[email protected]
Emergency assistance is also available to people who are in
a crisis or an emergency situation (e.g. people who have lost
their homes, are leaving an abusive relationship and/or are
worried about their safety).
You can start the application process either online, by phone
or in person. Once you’ve started the process, an Ontario Works
caseworker will contact you to schedule an in-person meeting.
A decision will be made within four business days from when
you first contacted the office, as long as you have provided all
of the required information and completed the application.•
Silver & Gold Magazine ~ AUTUMN 2019
27