Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP):
Application Support Worker Project
Centre 454, in partnership with CMHA Ottawa Branch, has been host to the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Application Support Worker program since the fall of 2005. The program was developed in response to significant barriers to accessing Ontario’s disability benefit program, as had been identified by applicants, support workers, and networks across Ontario.
The purpose of the program is to assist individuals with significant disabilities and barriers to navigate the complex ODSP application process from the initial expression of interest to the final decision of the Disability Adjudication Unit or Social Benefits Tribunal.The target population for the program are individuals with complex needs including serious mental illnesses and other disabilities that create significant barriers to accessing services. This target population includes disabled individuals with no income, or with very meagre incomes including a Personal Needs Allowance (PNA), Ontario Works (OW) or other sources. Without the support or initiative of the Application Support Worker (ASW) many of the program participants would never have considered or persevered in accessing ODSP benefits for which they are eligible.
The ODSP Application Support program operates on the principle that assisting disabled individuals to access the higher income support afforded by ODSP benefits increases their ability to achieve a reduced risk of homelessness through housing stability, improved health status, and enhanced quality of life.
For ODSP application support please contact:
Cheryl (Central): 613-235-4351 ext. 224
Tara (South, East and Francophone): 613-252-5910
Jamie (West): 613-252-9890