I’m on ODSP. Do I have to apply for CPP disability benefits?
Long delays for appeal hearings
If you're appealing a decision made by OW or ODSP in 2020, your appeal hearing may not happen for a long time. People report that they're getting hearing dates from the that are between 9 and 16 months in the future. We'll update this information as things change.
The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) has a general rule about trying to get other . This rule says you have to make “reasonable efforts” to get income that you might be able to get from other sources.
So, ODSP will usually say that you must apply for Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefits if there's a chance you could get them.
Workers pay into the CPP, which is called making contributions.
When workers do this, they might be able to get CPP disability benefits if they can no longer work because they have a disability.
If you apply for CPP disability benefits
ODSP can ask you to pay back out of money that you get in the future.
So, while you wait for , you have to sign forms that say you agree to pay ODSP back money you owe. You'll owe money if you get those benefits for a period of time that you got income support from ODSP. See Step 2.
If you don’t apply for CPP disability benefits
ODSP can cut off your income support or reduce the amount you get if you:
- might be able to get CPP disability benefits, and
- don't apply for them.
If you disagree with an ODSP decision
Talk to a community legal clinic if you disagree with a decision that ODSP makes. The clinic may be able to help you appeal the decision.
