ODSP - I've had to apply.

[Miss_April]

So I've gotten to the point in my Epilepsy and depression where I can no longer work

I have applied for ODSP and I am waiting to hear. Im just curious to know if anyone on here has any experience with the assitance. Time frame on finding out if were accepted, what happened if you were denied etc??

This has all been very overwhelming and has come about quickly so any info is much appreciated. I know you all are a great source of info and help

[Kyeste]

I applied back in September 2011 and have not heard back yet. They're very behind, apparently! You won't hear from for at least 3 - 8 months from the date you sent it in. I do know quite a bit despite this being my first time applying, since so many of my parents friends are on ODSP.

First of all, you should know that you will probably get turned down right away. And many times after that. A friend of my mother's started applying back in 2004 and only just got accepted a few months ago - and she's extremely physically disabled (needs help just to roll over in bed and has a special machine that helps her breathe - you'd think they'd say yes for that, but nope! Not disabled enough, apparently!).

When you get turned down you should reapply and appeal over and over and over and OVER again until they say yes! It can be very depressing to get turned down, but if you don't stop appealing you won't get accepted!

Another thing to do is if you don't get accepted, contact your local MP and get them to help you get on it (mine is helping me).


So basically:

You won't hear from them for many, many, man months.
You will most definitely get turned.
Keep appealing!
Get help from your local MP to get on it - they are very beneficial!

Oh, and the more information on your conditions you can give them the better! Anything new happens to your health - let them know! Every seizure you take - report it! Go to the doctor as often as possible - the more they have on record the better it is for your case.

Good luck!

[Abby5]

Everyone tells me you get a lawyer who will only charge you a % when you get approved. But you can only get a lawyer after you have been denied. Good luck! Let me know how it goes ....I am in the appeal process with my LTD company from work...since March 2011

[MrsSunshine]

that doesn't sound good at all. im looking at applying myself. i have a nerve that is permanently damaged in my back and own my leg. no feeling in my right knee down. prevents me from doing alot of things in life. i haven't worked since 2006 thats when my original injury occurred. it almost seems as though it would be easier to work and deal with the discomfort then try to apply. ftr i applied 2 years ago for my kids. both have life long dx's. it took 3 months from beginning to end to be accepted.

[glowworm2k]

In addition to ODSP, there is also CPP disability for those who were working before the injury/illness. CPP-D usually provides slightly more money per month than ODSP, but the drawback is that you don't get the same drug coverage, so you're not necessarily further ahead. You may want to apply anyways just to hedge your bets. I know that the wait times for both are on the high end, but it's worth a try.

Also, I'm assuming you know about the T2201, disability tax credit for your federal income tax?? As we're just starting into tax season, it might well be worth your while to get these tax credits. You need to get a form filled out by your doctor to submit to Canada Revenue Agency, but there are some tax credits associated with it that could help you out financially.... every little bit counts, right?

Good luck and wishing you the best

[Abby5]

In addition to ODSP, there is also CPP disability for those who were working before the injury/illness. CPP-D usually provides slightly more money per month than ODSP, but the drawback is that you don't get the same drug coverage, so you're not necessarily further ahead. You may want to apply anyways just to hedge your bets. I know that the wait times for both are on the high end, but it's worth a try.

Also, I'm assuming you know about the T2201, disability tax credit for your federal income tax?? As we're just starting into tax season, it might well be worth your while to get these tax credits. You need to get a form filled out by your doctor to submit to Canada Revenue Agency, but there are some tax credits associated with it that could help you out financially.... every little bit counts, right?

Good luck and wishing you the best

The form is crazy my drs say I cannot work but I can still feed,walk,dress my self....does anyone really get it?? Just wondering ?

[Andit]

I've been on ODSP/CPP-D since 2002. It took 3 months to get approved for CPP-D (I waited patiently, then the silly fools LOST my application, so I went marching down to my local MP, looking a bit worse for wear, & he made a phone call - I got approval & had a cheque in hand 2 days later). ODSP took about 6 months (my MPP was useless!). I got approved right away. I know of many others (with both physical & mental health issues) who were approved right away.

Make sure you have checked, double, triple, quintuple checked the forms when you fill them out. Have your doctor fill out the forms (a specialist is better, if you have one willing & able to do so) & list your medical history in as detailed a format as possible. The more information they have, the less chance they have to put your application in a to-be-checked pile, which just delays things. If you have any questions about the forms, feel free to ask me, either here or by PM. I`m happy to help.

If you`ve *ever* worked, you must apply for CPP-D. ODSP will be more likely to rule in your favour if you are approved for CPP-D. Here is the link to the forms.

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/i...sabforms.shtml


Here`s info on ODSP if you need it.

http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/pr...ort/index.aspx,


Another thing to keep in mind is that if you have *any* assets (money in bank, rrsps, life insurance, GICs, etc), you may be turned down. You have to have a very limited access to funds. I was `lucky`in that I had bought a condo before getting sick, so every penny I had in RRSP & savings was gone. Also, things get a bit more complicated if you are married or living with someone (I was single with no dependents, so a very easy case).


Here is a link to the disability tax credit form. It seems to be less restrictive than it used to be (I finally got approved for it last year, even though my situation is only slightly worse - & in some ways better - than it was years ago).

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/t2201/


Hope this helps.

[glowworm2k]

The form is crazy my drs say I cannot work but I can still feed,walk,dress my self....does anyone really get it?? Just wondering ?

In two of my previous lives, I saw a lot of people getting this credit. First, I worked at a tax office processing returns and found that it was normally the people who needed it the least who got it (so I'm guessing had some sway in the process), but also a lot of women at the homeless shelter where I worked were able to get this, although they don't pay much tax. I think it all depends on how the form is filled out - some doctors are more likely to consider a disability/health condition to be life-limiting than others. My Dad's doctor, for example, noted that on his bad days (arthritis and aftereffects of a stroke), it's hard for him to tie his shoes, so that was a limitation, etc. etc. (Dad's doctor is one of his best friends and was probably being a bit generous - some might say stretching the truth at least a bit - to help out his friend)

[Miss_April]

Thank you so much everyone All the information has been very helpful. I'm under so much stress right now, which in turn causes my seizures. I just don't think ODSP forms are set up for people with a mental or neurologiacal disability so much as a physical. But I have my bad days where I can not leave the house or even walk down the street. But here's hoping something will come from this.


Much love, April.

[Abby5]

I totally agree with you April....not sure how to fill it out even???

[momof3heathens]

Not sure about Ontario but here in BC an advocate for low income earners or welfare recipients can help with the form for the best wording possible. There wouldn't be any charge for this either.

It really makes a huge difference in terms of the legal jargon the ministry wants to see.

[Miss_April]

I totally agree with you April....not sure how to fill it out even???

It is very difficult! I assume your having problems filling out the yellow form with your doctor??

[Miss_April]

Not sure about Ontario but here in BC an advocate for low income earners or welfare recipients can help with the form for the best wording possible. There wouldn't be any charge for this either.

It really makes a huge difference in terms of the legal jargon the ministry wants to see.

Hmmm, that's good to know! I didn't know about that. I'm going to look into that to see where or it they are located around and in Ontario.

Thanks

[Abby5]

My Dr does not know how to do it!! He does not think i will get it with out cpp first? I have not had any pay checks for over a year. My spouse makes money and we have dependents so, I am not sure?? What will happen...I asked my dr to just worry about doing my LTD forms I think I will have better luck with that appeal the whole thing is sooooo stressful..which causes my DCH to be worse!!

[lecale]

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