Ontario Disability Support Program recipients across the province will receive their next ODSP payments on Monday, August 31, 2026.
The August payment lands on the last business day of the month, following the standard provincial schedule that governs all ODSP deposits.
Single recipients continue to collect up to $1,436 per month under the updated rates that took effect on July 1, 2026.
This is the second consecutive ODSP deposit at the higher amount after the 1.9% annual inflation adjustment raised payments by $28 per month.
What makes the August 31 deposit especially significant is a mid-month regulatory change that narrowed who can access ODSP going forward.
On August 13, 2026, the Ontario government amended regulations under the ODSP Act and the Ontario Works Act to exclude individuals without legal immigration status.
The amended rules also generally exclude temporary residents, including study permit and work permit holders, subject to limited exceptions.
Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons, and convention refugees remain fully eligible if they meet all other program requirements.
The eligibility change applies immediately, and local ODSP offices have already begun contacting affected individuals about their file status.
Here is everything recipients need to know about the August 31 ODSP deposit, the new eligibility restrictions, current rates by household type, how employment income is treated, the remaining 2026 payment schedule, and the benefits that stack on top of ODSP heading into September.
Table of Contents
Ontario Amended ODSP Eligibility Rules In August 2026
The provincial government announced the regulatory change through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services on August 13, 2026.
Under the amended regulations, individuals who are in Canada without legal authorization can no longer receive Ontario Works or ODSP.
The restrictions extend beyond undocumented individuals to include anyone authorized to remain in Canada only on a temporary basis.
That means holders of temporary work permits, study permits, visitor visas, and tourist authorizations are now explicitly ineligible.
The change followed a widely reported Ontario Social Benefits Tribunal ruling that awarded Ontario Works to an individual whose temporary work permit had expired.
Premier Doug Ford publicly committed to closing what his government called a gap in the existing regulatory framework.
The revised regulations took effect immediately on August 13 with no grace period or transition timeline for affected applicants.
The Income Security Advocacy Centre noted that ODSP offices have already started contacting some recipients to verify their immigration documentation under the new rules.
The following table summarizes which immigration status categories remain eligible and which are now excluded under the August 13 amendments.
| Immigration Status Category | ODSP Eligibility (as of Aug 13, 2026) |
| Canadian citizens | Eligible (if financially qualified) |
| Permanent residents | Eligible (if financially qualified) |
| Protected persons / refugees | Eligible (if financially qualified) |
| Convention refugees | Eligible (if financially qualified) |
| Temporary work permit holders | Generally ineligible, subject to exceptions |
| Study permit holders | Generally ineligible, subject to exceptions |
| Visitors and tourists | Generally ineligible, subject to exceptions |
| Persons without legal status | Generally ineligible, subject to exceptions |
Exceptions can apply to certain people who have filed a refugee claim or submitted an application for permanent residence.
The August 13 amendments do not change benefit amounts, payment dates, or the $1,000 earnings exemption for people who continue to meet all eligibility criteria.
Current ODSP Rates After the 2026 Increase
Every ODSP payment issued since July 31 reflects the 1.9% inflation-based adjustment that Ontario applied to core rates on July 1, 2026.
The single-person maximum rose from $1,408 to $1,436, split between $825 in basic needs and $611 in maximum shelter.
The shelter component is capped at your actual housing costs, so recipients paying less than $611 in rent or mortgage receive only the amount they actually pay.
The Ontario government’s ODSP program page confirms these figures as of June 30, 2026, and they remain in effect through June 30, 2027.
This is the fifth annual increase since Ontario began indexing ODSP to inflation in September 2022, lifting rates by a cumulative 22% over that span.
| Household Type | Basic Needs | Max Shelter | Total Maximum |
| Single recipient | $825 | $611 | $1,436 |
| Couple (one disabled spouse) | $1,189 | $959 | $2,148 |
| Couple (both spouses disabled) | Varies | Varies | $2,416 (capped) |
| Single parent, one child (ODSP + OCB) | Varies | Varies | $2,073.66 |
| Single parent, two children (ODSP + OCB) | Varies | Varies | $2,299.32 |
| Couple, one child (ODSP + OCB) | Varies | Varies | $2,373.66 |
| Couple, two children (ODSP + OCB) | Varies | Varies | $2,608.32 |
Amounts for families with children include the Ontario Child Benefit, which also rose modestly by approximately $3 per month per child in July 2026.
Several supplementary ODSP allowances, including the Special Diet Allowance and the pregnancy nutritional allowance, remain frozen at previous levels.
Recipients who depend on those frozen supplements will see less than a full 1.9% increase in their total monthly deposit.
How Employment Income Affects Your ODSP Payment
ODSP allows recipients to earn employment income without losing their entire benefit, thanks to one of the most generous exemptions in Canadian social assistance.
The program exempts the first $1,000 of net monthly employment earnings from any clawback whatsoever.
For every dollar earned above $1,000, ODSP reduces your payment by 75 cents while you retain the remaining 25 cents.
Students attending high school or an approved post-secondary program full-time can have their employment earnings fully exempt from the ODSP income calculation.
The table below illustrates how the exemption works at different earning levels for a single recipient receiving the $1,436 maximum.
| Monthly Net Earnings | ODSP Deduction | You Keep |
| $0 – $1,000/month | $0 | $1,000 + full ODSP |
| $1,200/month | $150 (75% of $200) | $1,050 + reduced ODSP |
| $1,500/month | $375 (75% of $500) | $1,125 + reduced ODSP |
| $2,000/month | $750 (75% of $1,000) | $1,250 + reduced ODSP |
| Full-time student (any amount) | $0 | Full earnings + full ODSP |
Ontario Works applies a much steeper clawback, exempting only $200 per month with a 50% reduction above that threshold.
The $1,000 ODSP exemption has been in place since February 2023 and was not changed by the August 13, 2026, regulatory amendments or the broader July 2026 benefit increases that raised several other federal programs.
Canada Disability Benefit Now Stacks With ODSP
Ontario confirmed in May 2025 that the Canada Disability Benefit is fully exempt as income for ODSP calculations.
That exemption means a qualifying ODSP recipient collects both programs at their full amounts without either payment reducing the other.
The CDB maximum rose from $200 to $204.20 per month under a 2.1% CPI adjustment effective with the July 16 deposit, the first indexation since the program launched in mid-2025.
A single ODSP recipient who also qualifies for the maximum CDB can now receive up to $1,640.20 per month from those two programs alone.
To qualify for the CDB, you must hold a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and be aged 18 to 64 with adjusted family net income below the phase-out threshold.
The August CDB payment was issued on August 20, 2026, and the next regular CDB deposit is scheduled for September 17, 2026.
| Benefit Program | Maximum Amount |
| ODSP basic needs + shelter | Up to $1,436/month |
| Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) | Up to $204.20/month |
| Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) | Varies by income and credits |
| Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit | Varies by household type |
| Combined monthly potential (ODSP + CDB) | Up to $1,640.20/month |
Remaining ODSP Payment Dates for 2026
After the August 31 deposit, four more ODSP payments are confirmed for the remainder of 2026.
Ontario has scheduled the September ODSP payment for Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
Ontario has not yet confirmed the December deposit date, though it is typically released earlier in the month to avoid holiday banking delays.
| Benefit Month | Deposit Date | Note |
| August | Monday, August 31, 2026 | This Monday |
| September | Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | Confirmed by Ontario |
| October | Friday, October 30, 2026 | Last business day |
| November | Monday, November 30, 2026 | Last business day |
| December | To be confirmed | Usually issued early |
Direct deposit recipients generally see funds posted between midnight and 6:00 AM on the scheduled date, though posting times vary by financial institution.
Cheque recipients should allow two to three additional business days for Canada Post delivery after the official payment date.
Asset Limits and What Is Exempt for ODSP in 2026
The liquid asset ceiling stands at $40,000 for a single applicant and $50,000 for a couple, with additional room for each dependent child.
Those figures are four times the $10,000 and $15,000 limits imposed by Ontario Works, giving ODSP recipients substantially more financial flexibility.
Your principal residence, one primary motor vehicle, Registered Disability Savings Plan assets, and qualifying prepaid funeral arrangements are among the assets exempt from the ODSP asset limit.
RDSP withdrawals are also exempt from the ODSP income test, making the RDSP the single most tax-efficient savings vehicle available to recipients.
An unexpected inheritance, legal settlement, or insurance payout can push liquid assets above the $40,000 threshold and suspend benefits without warning.
What to Do if Your August 31 Payment Does Not Arrive
Bank processing times can vary, and deposits occasionally post a few hours later than expected on statutory deposit dates.
If funds do not appear by the end of Monday, log into your MyBenefits account to verify whether a payment was issued and check for any holds on your file.
Payment issues can result from outdated banking information, a hold or review on the ODSP file, or recent changes in the recipient’s circumstances.
Recipients still receiving cheques by mail should switch to direct deposit through their caseworker or MyBenefits portal to avoid Canada Post delays and receive ODSP payments on the scheduled date.
If the deposit has not arrived after two to three business days, contact your assigned ODSP caseworker directly for a file review.
The next ODSP deposit after August 31 arrives on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, as confirmed by Ontario’s published payment schedule.
September also marks the start of Phase 1 of the new $150 CDB supplemental payment, although Service Canada has not yet confirmed the exact deposit date.
The Monday, August 31 ODSP deposit delivers the second payment at the post-July rates for more than 500,000 eligible Ontario recipients.
With the August 13 eligibility amendments now in force, the Ontario Budget 2026 commitment to higher ODSP rates and inflation indexing continues alongside stricter immigration-status verification.
Set up direct deposit, confirm your immigration documentation is current, and always file your annual tax return on time to maintain eligibility for income-tested federal benefits such as the CDB, OTB, and CCB.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can a permanent resident who recently landed in Ontario apply for ODSP immediately?
Yes, permanent residents are eligible for ODSP regardless of how recently they received their landing status. There is no minimum residency period within Ontario before you can submit an ODSP application. However, you must still meet the financial eligibility criteria, asset limits, and disability determination requirements. Once a completed Disability Determination Package is submitted, a disability eligibility decision is generally issued within 90 business days, although the overall application timeline can vary. You may qualify for Ontario Works as interim support while waiting.
Does the August 13 eligibility change affect people whose immigration applications are still being processed by IRCC?
The regulatory amendments target individuals currently on temporary authorization or without legal status. If your permanent residence application is pending and you hold a valid temporary document such as a work permit or bridging open work permit, your eligibility depends on how your current status is classified under the new regulations. Local ODSP offices are contacting affected recipients individually, and the Income Security Advocacy Centre recommends seeking legal advice if you receive a notice questioning your eligibility.
How does receiving ODSP affect eligibility for federal programs like CPP Disability or Old Age Security?
ODSP is a provincial program and does not affect your eligibility for federal benefits. However, the reverse interaction matters: CPP Disability counts as unearned income for ODSP purposes and reduces your provincial payment dollar-for-dollar. OAS and GIS are available at age 65, and ODSP recipients typically transition off provincial support and onto federal retirement benefits at that point. The Canada Disability Benefit does not reduce ODSP because Ontario has formally exempted it.
Is there a maximum number of years a person can receive ODSP income support?
No, ODSP does not impose a lifetime limit on how long you can receive income support. As long as you continue to meet the disability determination, financial eligibility, and residency criteria, payments continue indefinitely. Periodic medical reviews are scheduled based on your specific condition, and a financial review occurs when circumstances change or when ODSP requests updated documentation. The program is designed as long-term support, unlike Ontario Works which is intended as temporary assistance.
What happens to ODSP if a recipient moves from Ontario to another province?
ODSP is an Ontario-only program, and your eligibility ends when you establish residence in another province. Each province operates its own disability assistance program with separate rates, application processes, and eligibility criteria. British Columbia provides up to $1,483.50 per month under its PWD designation, while Alberta pays up to $1,940 per month under AISH or ADAP. You would need to apply fresh in your new province, and there is no automatic transfer of your ODSP file or disability determination between jurisdictions.
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
You may also like: New Ontario Minimum Wage Increase Coming In October 2026
New Minimum Wage In Canada’s 5 Provinces Effective October 1
New OAS Payment Increase Coming In October 2026
New Ontario Rent Rules Effective September 21