Ontario Works and ODSP: amounts, rules and how to apply

What Ontario Works and ODSP are

Ontario has two main income programs. Ontario Works (OW) gives financial and employment help to people in temporary financial need; it is delivered locally by municipalities and regional services. The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) gives income support and employment support to adults with a disability that substantially limits their ability to work, and has higher amounts and more generous rules.

In both, the amount is the difference between what your household needs (basic needs plus shelter) and your income after exemptions, and it is recalculated every month.

How much you get

• Ontario Works, single adult: up to $733 a month for basic needs and shelter combined — $343 basic needs plus up to $390 for shelter (the province's page states the $733 figure). Ontario Works rates are not indexed to inflation.
• ODSP, single adult: the January 2025 amount in Maytree's model was about $1,388 a month on average over 2025 (the single maximum was $1,368 until June 2025). Ontario's page states that ODSP rates rose by 1.9% on July 1, 2026 and that a single person can receive up to $1,436 a month for basic needs and shelter. ODSP is indexed to inflation every July.

The maximum shelter part is paid only up to your verified shelter costs. Extra amounts (for example for a child, a special diet or medical needs) can be added in both programs; ODSP adds a $100 Work-Related Benefit for each adult who has earnings in a month.

The whole picture: yearly income of typical households in 2025

Who qualifies and what you may keep

• Ontario Works: you live in Ontario, are in financial need and are willing to take part in activities that lead to work. You apply through your local Ontario Works office.
• ODSP: you are 18 or older, live in Ontario, are in financial need, and have a disability that is continuous or recurrent, expected to last a year or more, and substantially limits work, daily living or community participation, confirmed by a health care professional.

What happens when you work

• Ontario Works: no exemption while you are applying; after three months on assistance, the first $200 of net earnings per adult earner is exempt, and 50% of the rest is exempt (your benefit falls by 50 cents per extra dollar). The earnings of full-time post-secondary students are exempt.
• ODSP: the first $1,000 of net monthly earnings is exempt for each adult with a disability, and 25% of the rest is exempt (your benefit falls by 75 cents per extra dollar). A non-disabled spouse keeps the first $200 and 50% of the rest.

Worked examples

A single Ontario Works recipient (after three months) with the full shelter amount earns $800 net in a month. Exempt: $500. Counted against the benefit: $300. Benefit: $733 − $300 = $433. Total with earnings: $1,233.

A single ODSP recipient with the maximum earns $1,400 net in a month. Exempt: $1,100. Counted against the benefit: $300. Benefit: $1,436 − $300 = $1,136. Total with earnings: $2,536. The $100 Work-Related Benefit is not included.

Figures marked 2025 come from the Maytree policy institute's Welfare in Canada report (rules and rates in force in January 2025). Check the official page for any increase since.

How to apply

• Ontario Works: apply online or through your local office; the province's page explains the steps and what to bring.
• ODSP: apply through the ODSP office; your doctor or another health professional completes the medical forms. If you are refused, you can ask for an internal review and appeal.

Report every change in income, address, household or assets right away: unreported changes can create an overpayment you must repay.