Additional ODSP Benefits in Ontario: What You May Be Eligible For
Many applicants don’t realize that ODSP provides more than just monthly income support. Once you qualify, you gain access to a suite of health and disability-related benefits designed to lower your daily costs.
Mandatory Special Necessities (MSN) ODSP covers specific medical supplies and travel costs that are essential to your health.
Incontinence Supplies: Coverage & Eligible Costs Under the Mandatory Special Necessities (MSN) benefit, ODSP may cover eligible incontinence supplies when the medical criteria are met and the items and amounts are approved under the Mandatory Special Necessities benefit.
How to Request Coverage To access this coverage, you must ask your caseworker for the Mandatory Special Necessities benefit request form and have an approved health care professional complete the required medical information.
Working With a Supplier Once coverage is approved, payment arrangements depend on the eligible item, approved amount, and your individual coverage. You can ask a supplier that offers direct billing.
What is Direct Billing? Approved eligible costs may be paid directly to a supplier through ODSP, depending on the item, approved amount, and your individual coverage.
Home Delivery: Delivery options vary by supplier, so ask about delivery arrangements and any costs before ordering.
- Ontario MSN Benefit Information
Medical Transportation: If your eligible medical transportation costs total $15 or more in a month, ODSP may cover eligible transportation costs, subject to program criteria.
How to Apply: Ask your caseworker for the MSN Benefit Request Form, have your doctor fill it out, and return it for approval.
Special Diet Allowance
If you have a medical condition that requires a specific diet (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, or lactose intolerance), you may qualify for extra monthly funding.
The Benefit: Depending on the qualifying medical condition and approved amount, an eligible member may receive up to $250 per month per eligible benefit-unit member to help cover the cost of nutritional substitutions or liquid supplements.
Health & Dental Coverage
Prescription Drugs: Your benefits cover the cost of prescription medication listed in the Ontario Drug Formulary. You will use your monthly proof of eligibility (usually your health card or statement) at the pharmacy.
Dental Care:
Adults: ODSP recipients and eligible spouses age 18 or older may receive coverage for basic dental services. Additional services may be covered when required because of a disability or prescribed treatment. More Information here.
Children: Children age 17 and under are not covered under the ODSP dental benefit itself. They may qualify for dental coverage through Healthy Smiles Ontario. More information here.
Vision Care
Exams: Routine eye exams are generally covered every 24 months for eligible recipients and family members when the exam is not otherwise covered by OHIP.
Glasses: Assistance with the cost of necessary prescription lenses and frames is generally available once every three years.
Repairs: Coverage for eyeglass repairs for you, your spouse, and your children.
How to Appeal an ODSP Decision
If you’ve been rejected for the Ontario Disability Support Program based on financial or disability eligibility, you have the right to request an Internal Review of the decision
You have 30 days from the day you receive the decision to request an Internal Review. Follow the instructions in your decision letter for where and how to submit it.
ODSP will send you the result of the Internal Review. If you still disagree with the decision, you may be able to appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal.