4. Apply for OW if you need money now

It can take months to find out if you qualify for income support from the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

So, if you need money now for food and housing, you can start by applying for assistance from Ontario Works (OW) while you wait. When you tell OW that you want to apply for ODSP income support, they will start that application for you.

OW will use the ODSP asset rules when they decide if you qualify financially for OW assistance.

ODSP rules about assets are not as strict as OW rules. This means that ODSP rules allow people to have assets that are worth more than the OW rules do.

But OW can use the ODSP asset rules only once in your lifetime.

How to apply to Ontario Works (OW)

CLEO

This flowchart shows you the steps to take when applying to OW and lists the information and documents you need.