Component: ODSP Employment Supports

Legislation: Ontario Disability Support Program Act, Section 48 (1) or Section 12 of the Ministry of Community and Social Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.20

Service Objectives

To ensure that a range of goods and services are available for clients which help to reduce or eliminate disability-related barriers to employment and assist clients to reach their competitive employment goal.

Funding to service providers to assist clients to retain competitive employment and provide supports to employers so that the employee is kept in the job.

The job retention fee is earned for each month that the client is employed for up to 33 consecutive months for ODSP income support recipients and 15 consecutive months for clients not in receipt of ODSP income support following the 13-week cumulative job placement period.

For employment supports clients who are also in receipt of ODSP income support, for each month that the client is employed during the 33 consecutive months following the 13-week cumulative job placement period, the job retention payment is 60 percent of the client’s chargeable earnings per month of competitive employment. For the first 15 months, there will be a minimum payment of $250 per month of employment.

For the purposes of calculating retention payments in ODSP employment supports, chargeable earnings are determined by applying a 50 percent earnings exemption to net earnings (gross earnings less mandatory payroll deductions) and deducting eligible childcare and disability- related expenses.

For employment supports clients who are not in receipt of ODSP income support, the job retention payment is $250 per month that the client is employed during the 15 consecutive months following the 13-week cumulative job placement period.

Service description

To be eligible, the person must be 16 years of age or older, a resident of Ontario, legally entitled to work in Canada, and must have a physical or mental impairment which is continuous or recurrent, expected to last more than one year and which presents a substantial barrier to competitive employment.

The person does not have to be in receipt of ODSP income support.

Program/Service Features

Specific Service Provided

Job retention supports funded by ODSP employment supports may include the following, as appropriate:

  • job monitoring and interventions to assist clients and employers with work performance issues
  • assisting the client to negotiate workplace supports
  • assisting employers to identify and develop job accommodations
  • on-the-job supports e.g., job coaching, motivational strategies, assist the client to arrange community supports, etc.
  • working collaboratively with local agencies that provide community supports (e.g., health, housing, legal, income support and childcare services) that are required by the client to keep their job; and
  • job advancement supports to clients who are already working but who are "under employed" based on their skills, experience and the needs of the local labour market

Ministry Expectations: as per signed contract

Service providers may not charge employment supports applicants/clients for services and supports provided.

Job retention funding is reconciled based on achievement of outcomes. Upon completion or early termination of this contract by either party, funding for job retention will be based on achievement of outcomes only. Funding is subject to reconciliation and recovery, in accordance with ministry business practices and policies.

The ministry will reconcile based on targets achieved (outcome-based).

Contracts will be adjusted in-year where targets for job placement and retention are not being met. Year-end recoveries will be made if targets for job placement (including job placement milestones) and retention are not met.

In the event of termination of this contract by either party, funding for job placment (including job placment milestones) and/or job retention will be based on achievement of targets only. Any funding not earned will be recovered by the ministry.

Any unspent funds will be recovered in accordance with the ministry's Reconciliation Policies.

Individual Planning and Goal Setting

Clients and service providers will work together to develop an individualized and appropriate employment plan. The plan will identify the supports required in order to place and retain the client in employment.

Services will be:

  • Reflective and responsive to individual, family and community strengths and needs
  • Accountable to the individual, family and community
  • Sensitive to the social, linguistic and cultural diversity of families and indigenous communities, as appropriate
  • Provided by individuals with the appropriate range of skills and abilities necessary to respond effectively to the needs of the clients
  • Based on the individual's assessed needs, preferences and available individual, agency, community and contracted ministry resources

Reporting Requirements

Transfer Payment Recipients will submit reports to the ministry using on-line systems or other methods as required. User registration and identity verification will be required.