Petition to Increase Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Benefits

A single person receiving ODSP currently receives approximately $1,300 per month to cover rent, food, utilities, transportation, and other essential living expenses. In many Ontario communities, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is approximately $1,250 per month, leaving only $50 to cover food and every other basic necessity. No person should be forced to choose between paying rent and eating.

People with disabilities often face barriers that prevent them from working full-time or at all.

Increase the maximum monthly ODSP benefit for a single recipient from approximately $1,300 to $2,800 per month, allowing recipients to afford safe housing, nutritious food, and other essential living expenses.
Index ODSP benefits to inflation so they automatically keep pace with the rising cost of living each year.
Continue allowing recipients to earn employment income without deductions on the first $1,000 earned each month, encouraging those who are able to work.
Change the treatment of Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability benefits so they are treated similarly to employment income. Recipients should be able to receive up to $1,000 per month in CPP Disability benefits before any ODSP deductions apply, rather than having their CPP Disability payments deducted dollar for dollar from their ODSP benefits.
Increasing ODSP is not simply an expense—it is an investment in the health,

Disabled people shouldn't have to suffer because they are disabled and have to worry each month if they have. Aplace to live or will eat. This change has to be done.