The Access to ODSP committee is a new working group of the Coalition, following up the issues which were part of two working groups before:  The Applications/DAU working Group, and the Client Services Working group.  More information will be posted as this committee gets its work plan underway.  

The Applications/ DAU Working group met a number of times with Ministry officials in 2006, extensively documenting the many problems with the complex, lengthy process of applying for ODSP and having a decision on eligibility made fairly and expeditiously. A recent report of the provincial Ombudsman pointed out the lengthy delays applicants are accepted and begin receiving income support; that is only one of the issues this working group has raised. Too often people with serious disabilities are still denied and have to appeal, which takes approximately one more year. Then it still takes more time to get their ODSP pay actually started. The government has recently indicated they are taking action to reduce the backlog and delays at the DAU, and also following up on some of the other recommendations of this Working Group.

• DAU/Applications Group Evaluation 2006

• Report of the Applications/DAU Working Group