ODSP application forms

[samwass...@gmail.com]

The policy of the Ministry of Community and Social Services ("MCSS")
is to not post most of the key application forms for ODSP assistance,
on its external website.

The policy extends to actually refusing to furnish the application
forms pursuant to an informal request to MCSS and/or its ODSP Branch
directly. Short of a formal Request under the provisions of access to
government documents using freedom of information legislation, one can
therefore not access these forms prior to making an application under
the program, or merely for the sake of curiosity alone.

Since the applicants for this program are generally disabled (with
particular emphasis on the word, "disabled"), they therefore must walk
blindly into an interview with a worker, and risk serious penalties
for so much as slipping with the information being presented to the
worker. Perhaps MCSS, knowing the zeal with which it has been
prosecuting disabled people, and/or refusing assistance to
legitimately disabled persons who may who may have simply made an
innocent mistake in relaying information when applying for this
program, has overlooked the simple logical premise that were they to
give applicants a chance to prepare these forms prior to a meeting
with a social worker, far fewer inadvertant mistakes would be made.

In other words, MCSS ought to simply allow those who make an
application to the program to consult with their community legal aid
advisors or other legal advisors in a meaningful manner by providing
access to its application forms, PRIOR to an ODSP application being
made. I'd bet that MCSS would save themselves a bundle of money if
they adopted such a protocol. I'd even go so far as to predict that
MCSS would hardly need to continue to heavily rein in the $230 million
or thereabouts in disability allocations that the provincial treasury
provides every year to fund the ODSP. Why? Because reining in the
allocations through the current use of such underhanded tools as
disqualifying applicants (for 2 years, that is) who make so much as an
indavertant mistake in a factual representation on those forms, or by
chasing after them with overzealous fraud allegations, is the wrong
way to administer a social assistance program for persons who have the
misfortune of disability. Were MCSS to simply change their curent
protocols and provide those forms in advance of a disabled person
making an application, they themselves would be better off, not to
mention legions of disabled people who must live in misery.


My colleague, who is as completely disgusted by the poor treatment of
disabled persons in this province as I am, actually managed to get the
bundle of ODSP application forms for income support, after numerous
point-blank requests and some arm-twisting of sorts.

I've listed the forms below (1-5).

If there is anyone who wishes to see any particular form listed here,
you may email me with a request and I will email the form to you,
using my best efforts to get it out to you in a day or two. I am going
to be taking some vacation in the next short while. However, my
assistant has been advised to take care of any requests for these
forms in my absence.


1) Form 0983 (4 pages) revised 2008/07: Application for Income Support
under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act

2) Form 2074 (1 page) revised 2008/04: General Consent to the Release
of Medical and Related Information to the Disability Adjudication
Unit

3) Form 2859 (14 pages), revised 2008/04: Health Status Report and
Activities of Daily Living Index

4) Form 2857 (2 pages), revised 2008/04: Instruction Sheet: Disability
Adjudication Process for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

5) Form 2858 (8 pages), revised 2008/04: Ontario Disability Support
Program, Self Report Form



Sam

[Annie]

Why Sam, thank you so much for providing these forms for those of us
that just can't get to the office. I personally have no reason for any,
but there are many who do..
Again Thank you..
And welcome!!!
Annie

[Sam N. Wasserstein]

Anne, I do not believe that the MCSS has changed their policy in regards to how these forms are being processed and will be processed. In other words, I believe that you must fill them out with a worker present, lest they refuse to process your application.

 

Therefore, I would not simply fill them out and send them in. They do indicate "Sample" on them, for instance. I would think that MCSS stamped them that way for one reason or another.

 

If I was you I would check with your local ODSP regional office before you take any self-help steps.  

 

But since you can look at the forms first, at least this way you know what you'll be getting hit with when you do actually go in.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Sam