Ontario Disability Support Program Disability Determination Package

Overview

Patients may provide health care professionals the Disability Determination Package (DDP) to complete so that the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services can determine whether they have a disability for the purposes of qualifying for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). Health care professionals may submit the DDP either on paper or digitally through the Ministry of Health’s Special Authorization Digital Information Exchange (SADIE).

Learn more about the disability adjudication process and definition of disability

Ontario Disability Support Program

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) provides financial assistance, health and other benefits and employment supports to eligible Ontario residents who:

• have a disability as defined by the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, or are a member of a prescribed class that is exempt from the disability adjudication process
• are 18 years older (those under 18 can start the application process up to six months before their 18th birthday)
• are in financial need

Who qualifies

To receive ODSP income support and benefits, your patient must meet the definition of disability under the ODSP Act. Being a person with a disability means:

• they have a substantial physical or mental impairment that is continuous or recurrent and expected to last one year or more
• the direct and cumulative effect of their impairment results in a substantial restriction in their ability to work, take care of themselves or taking part in the community
• the impairment, its likely duration and restrictions have been verified by an approved health care professional

Prescribed classes

Prescribed classes are specific categories of people who do not have to go through the disability adjudication process to qualify for ODSP. People in these categories must still apply and meet all other ODSP eligibility requirements.

For example, some of your patients may be exempt from the disability adjudication process if they:

• receive Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D)
• receive Quebec Pension Plan Disability (QPP-D)
• are eligible for adult developmental services and supports from Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)
• are 65 or older and not eligible for Old Age Security (OAS)
• are a resident of a designated psychiatric facility or home for special care

Learn more about prescribed classes.

Your role as a health care professional

As a licensed health care professional in Ontario, you may be asked to provide medical information for a patient applying for ODSP.

Your role in completing the paper DDP or digital DDP is important since we do not assess your patient in person. Specialized staff at the Disability Adjudication Unit will determine if your patient is medically eligible for ODSP.

How to submit patients' forms

Follow the Ontario Disability Support Program – guide for health care professionals for detailed information about completing and submitting patients’ forms.

If completing the paper DDP, your patient is responsible for mailing the completed forms to the Disability Adjudication Unit using the addressed envelope included with their package. The ministry will only accept original forms.

If completing the Digital DDP, health care professionals may access the Ministry of Health’s established Special Authorization Digital Information Exchange (SADIE) using a BPS Secure account to complete and submit the forms securely online.

You may also include copies of medical reports that are available. This supporting medical information will assist the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services in understanding your patient’s medical situation.

Timelines

Your patient has 90 calendar days to submit their completed DDP to the ministry. If more time is needed to complete the package, they can contact the Disability Adjudication Unit to ask for an extension.

Who can complete the forms

One health care professional can complete both the Health Status Report (HSR) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sections of the form, or they can be completed by two different health care professionals. If completed separately, each health care professional needs to sign and date the section that they completed.

The HSR and ADL can both be completed by a:

• physician
• optometrist
• psychologist
• psychological associate
• nurse practitioner
• registered nurse

The ADL can also be completed by a:

• chiropractor
• physiotherapist
• occupational therapist
• social worker
• audiologist
• speech language pathologist

Self Report Form

Your patient may also complete the Self Report form which allows them to explain how their disability impacts their life. Please encourage them to fill it out so the ministry can better understand their situation. Your patient may ask someone for help completing the form if needed.

Consent to the Release of Medical and Related Information

Your patient is required to complete this form.

How to bill for completing the forms

Physicians can bill the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) directly. Other health care professionals can submit an invoice to the ministry.

DDP fees:

Please note: The Disability Adjudication Unit may contact you for additional medical information.

Submitting an invoice

If you submit an invoice, include:

• your full name, profession, address and phone number
• your patient's full name, date of birth and social assistance member ID (this is on each page of the form)
• the name of the section you completed (HSR and/or ADL)
• Mail your invoice to: 
  Ontario Disability Support Program
  Disability Adjudication Unit
  Box B18
  Toronto, Ontario
  M7A 1R3

Contact us

If you have questions about completing the DDP call the Disability Adjudication Unit Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.:

• Greater Toronto Area: 416-326-5079
• TTY: 416-326-3372
• Toll-free: 1-888-256-6758
• Toll-free TTY: 1-866-780-6050