1. Know what ODSP does not count as assets

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) has rules about how much you're allowed to have in income and assets to qualify financially for income support.

But there are some types of assets that ODSP does not count. These are called “exempt” assets.

Below are some examples of property and belongings that ODSP does not count. Step 2 talks about money and payments that are exempt assets.

You may want to get legal advice to find out whether something you own might be an exempt asset.

Examples of real estate that ODSP does not count

ODSP does not count:

• your home
• another property if you're making what ODSP thinks are “reasonable efforts” to sell it
• another property, if ODSP agrees that you need it for the health or well-being of you or someone in your household

The rules about other properties are complicated. To figure out if they could apply to you, you might need to get legal advice.

Examples of belongings that ODSP does not count

ODSP does not count:

• one car
• most household items like furniture and appliances

And ODSP will not count certain things if you need them for work. For example, they do not count:

• a second car, if it's worth no more than $15,000
• tools or other things you need to do your job, such as farm machinery or a computer
• assets that you need for your business if you're self-employed, that are worth up to $20,000, or more than that if ODSP agrees