Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) - Income Support (Shelter Allowance + Basic Needs)
ODSP gives you money each month if you have a disability and are in financial need. It includes a basic-needs amount plus a shelter amount that helps pay rent, utilities, heat, property taxes, and home insurance. The shelter amount for one person is up to $599 a month. A single person's total ODSP can be up to $1,408 a month.
What you get
Up to $1,408/month
Who it's for
You qualify if you live in Ontario, are in financial need, and meet the ODSP definition of a person with a disability (or are in a prescribed class).
This takes you to the official website
Depends on your household size and income.
What to have ready
Documents they may ask for
- Government ID for everyone in your household, if available
- A copy of your lease or rent agreement
- Recent rent receipt, ledger, or proof of what you owe
- Recent pay stubs, benefit statement, or income proof
- ODSP, Ontario Works, CPP, OAS, or other benefit statement if you have one
- Recent bank statement, if the program asks for it
What to say when you call
“Hi, I found your housing support program and I want to check if I can apply. Can you tell me the current rules, documents needed, and the next step?”
Use the official page first, then call 211 if you are not sure where to start.
Can I get this?
You have a good chance if this sounds like you:
- The shelter part is based on your actual housing costs, up to a limit that depends on how many people are in your benefit unit
What to do next
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What the official page looks like
The fine print
More details about the money
Maximum monthly shelter allowance by benefit unit size: 1 person $599; 2 $941; 3 $1,018; 4 $1,105; 5 $1,192; 6 or more $1,235. Total ODSP income support (basic needs plus shelter) for a single person is up to $1,408 a month, and may be higher with dependants or other benefits.
Amounts and eligibility change. Confirm the current figure with the program administrator through the official link before you rely on it.
The full eligibility rules
Ontario residents in financial need who meet the ODSP definition of a person with a disability (or are a member of a prescribed class). The shelter portion is based on your actual shelter costs up to a maximum that depends on the number of people in your benefit unit.
Good to know
Shelter maximums quoted directly from ODSP Policy Directive 6.2 (Shelter Calculation), which confirms an annual inflation adjustment is applied to the maximum shelter allowances each July, so these amounts change annually - re-verify after each July. The $1,408 single-person combined figure is quoted directly from the Ontario.ca ODSP page, which also flags a 1.9% rate increase effective July 1, 2026 - re-verify the $1,408 figure after that date.
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