Can I work and get ODSP at the same time?
The rules of the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) say that you can work and still get as long as you:
- tell ODSP about any money you make
- don't make too much money
ODSP looks at how much money you or someone else in your household makes from:
- a job
- a training allowance
- being self-employed
ODSP rules about how money you earn affects your assistance
Earnings exemptions are the rules that let you earn some money without ODSP reducing your assistance by the full amount that you earn.
For a person with a disability, the general rule is that you can make $1000 in in a month before it affects the amount ODSP gives you.
If you make more than $1000 in net earnings in a month, ODSP gives you less assistance. They reduce your income support by an amount that equals 75% of the net earnings you make that are more than $1000.
For example, if you make $1500 in net earnings in a month, ODSP takes $375 from the amount they usually give you. This is because $1500 in net earnings minus $1000 equals $500. And 75% of $500 is $375. See below for how this works:
| $1500 (net monthly earnings) |
|---|
| – $1000 |
| = $500 |
| ÷ 0.75 |
| = $375 (amount ODSP subtracts from the amount they usually give you) |
If you are a non-disabled spouse or child 18 years of age or older who is not in high school or postsecondary school full-time, you can earn up to $200 a month with no reduction to the ODSP benefit.
If you earn more than $200, the ODSP benefit will be reduced by 50% of anything over the $200 cap. For example, if you earned $250, the benefit will be reduced by $25. This is because you earned $50 more than the $200 income cap, and 50% of $50 is $25.
Rules that can increase the amount you get
You might get to keep more of your assistance if:
- you have to pay for child care so you can go to work
- you have expenses related to working because of your disability
You might also be able to get:
- money to help pay for items or services you need because of your disability
- money to help pay for things you need to start working
- an extra $100 each month because you’re working
Step 2 has more about how affect the amount you get from ODSP.
Step 3 has more about claiming child‑care expenses.
Step 4 has more about other rules that can help you with costs of working.
If you live in a First Nations community
ODSP will not reduce your income support because you're getting money for being in an employment training program that lasts up to 12 months.
This includes the training allowance and money to pay for child care and travel.
