2. Learn about money ODSP does not count as assets

The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) has rules about how much you're allowed to have in income and assets to qualify financially for income support.

But there are some types of assets that ODSP does not count. These are called “exempt” assets.

Step 1 talks about property and belongings that ODSP does not count. Below are examples of money and payments that are exempt assets.

You may want to get legal advice to find out whether something you own might be an exempt asset.

Examples of money and payments that ODSP does not count

ODSP does not count:

• money you get when you sell a property, if you're using that money to buy a home
• registered education savings plans (RESPs) for family members
• registered disability savings plans (RDSPs)

Life insurance and inheritances

ODSP does not count the following, as long as added together they're worth no more than $100,000:

• life insurance policies
• money in a trust fund that comes from an inheritance or life insurance

Assets you have as a student

There are times when ODSP does not count money that a student gets as a loan or grant, or that they earn at work or in a training program.

Some settlements, awards, and benefits

ODSP does not count:

• money from the settlement of an Aboriginal land claim
• payments you get because of certain government agreements, such as payments to residents of some institutions for people with developmental disabilities
• money you get because of a lawsuit or a claim, that is for “pain and suffering” or expenses related to your injury
• benefits for non-economic loss from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

Gifts of money for items or services related to your disability

ODSP will not count money that someone gives you to pay for items or services related to your disability. But this applies only if you get approval from ODSP.

See Using money for health reasons or because of your disability in Step 4 to learn more.

Gifts of money for certain other things

ODSP does not count money that someone gives you:

• to use as first and last month's rent because you need a place to live
• to help buy a home for you to live in
• to help buy a car that’s an exempt asset
• to put in a registered education savings plan (RESP) or a registered disability savings plan (RDSP)

But you should use the money:

• within 12 months if you use it to buy a home
• within 6 months if you use it to buy a car or pay first and last month's rent, or  you put it in an RESP or RDSP

If you don't do this, ODSP counts the money as income in the month you get it and as an asset in the months after that.

You can ask ODSP to give you more time. You need to explain why you need it. If they refuse, get legal advice.