2. Learn how earnings exemptions affect your ODSP

Earnings exemptions are the rules that let you earn some money without the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) reducing your assistance by the full amount that you earn.

If you are a person with a disability, the general rule is that you can have $1000 in in a month before the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) reduces your monthly .

So if you make more than $1000 in net earnings in a month, ODSP gives you less assistance. And they take off an amount that equals 75% of the net earnings you make that are above $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 cap, and 50% of $50 is $25.

Keeping more of your assistance

You might get to keep more of your assistance if:

  • you have expenses related to working because of your disability
  • you have to pay for child care so you can go to work

Claiming expenses related to your disability

You can claim expenses if you had to pay for items and services you need to work because of your disability. For example, you might need:

  • specialized computer equipment and software
  • sign language interpreters
  • transportation services
  • attendant care services

You need proof of your expenses, for example, receipts to show what you paid.

You can claim up to $1,000 each month.

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.

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