As Ontarians head to the polls, many who rely on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) are anxious about how political parties are promising to support them.
ODSP provides income and job support for people with disabilities. People who rely on the program as their main source of income have been advocating for more.
“I only eat one meal a day, and a lot of people I know on ODSP only eat one meal a day,” said Trevor Manson, co-chair of ODSP Action Coalition, an advocacy group led by people who depend on the program.
The maximum ODSP rate for a single person is $1,368 a month and is capped at $2,639 for a couple with two children. Payments are intended to cover the costs of essentials, such as housing and food.
Manson said current ODSP payments are not a livable income, as he struggles to pay for basics including groceries and rent.
“Two-thirds of my monthly income goes towards rent,” Manson said. “It is a challenge to afford things, especially nowadays.”
The ODSP Action Coalition has recommended the province double ODSP benefits as a starting point. The group would also like an increase in payments with the Ontario Works program — a program designed to provide support to people in financial need based on its eligibility criteria.
In 2022, Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives raised ODSP rates by five per cent and aligned it with inflation. If re-elected, the Progressive Conservatives promise to continue increasing ODSP rates with inflation each year.
Ottawa Centre Liberal candidate Thomas Simpson said current ODSP benefits are not enough for people to support themselves.
“It is legislating people into poverty,” Simpson said. “People have been forced to make very real choices with what to do with their money.”
Simpson served as the vice-president of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and said he saw the difficulties of making ends meet for people with disabilities.
The Ontario Liberals, NDP and Greens have all promised to double ODSP benefits and index the payments to inflation should they be elected to form government.
“It is imperative that the Ontario government increase the benefit amount that ODSP recipients are getting,” said Janet Rodriguez, a community organizer with Disability Without Poverty.
Disability Without Poverty is a national organization that advocates to combat poverty for individuals living with disabilities.
While Rodriguez said she is happy ODSP benefits are major components of many party platforms, she said she would like to see the next provincial government break down further barriers for those with disabilities.
“They need to focus on providing accessible jobs, accessible housing and accessible transportation,” she said. “Accessibility has to be in every breath, every phrase when it comes to what they are doing.”
The next scheduled ODSP benefit increase based on inflation is set for July.
Manson said voters should keep this issue in mind when heading to the polls.
“Most of us in our lifetime are going to experience disability in some way,” Manson said. “Don’t think it can’t happen to you, because it can.”
Featured Image by Michael McBean/the Charlatan.
