8.2 — Treatment of budgetary requirements – temporary stays in a hospital or substance abuse recovery home
July 2025
Summary of Policy
For the first three months of a temporary stay in a hospital or substance abuse recovery home (SARH), the budgetary requirements for the member of the benefit unit in the facility shall not be reduced.
After three months, the Director may reduce the budgetary requirements for the member in the facility.
Legislative Authority
Sections 36 (1), (2); 36.1(1),(2) of the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Regulation
Summary of Directive
A member of an ODSP benefit unit who is in a hospital or SARH on a temporary basis is eligible for income support while he/she is in the facility.
Hospitals may include general, chronic care, convalescent, psychiatric and rehabilitation hospitals.
Income support is determined according to the appropriate budgetary requirements scheme based on the recipient’s principle residence (e.g. basic needs/shelter allowance if the principle residence is owned).
When considering whether it is appropriate to reduce the budgetary requirements for a member after three months in the facility, consideration should be given to the actual cost of maintaining the benefit unit’s community accommodation, as well as other expenses (e.g. monthly payments related to personal debt).
Intent of Policy
To allow recipients and their dependants to maintain their community residence when a member of the benefit unit is temporarily staying in a hospital or SARH.
Application of Policy
First Three Months of a Temporary Stay
Budgetary requirements for the first three months should be determined according to the recipient’s principle residence. For example, if the recipient rents in the community, budgetary requirements for the benefit unit would be basic needs and shelter allowance for the first three months of a stay.
If, during the stay in the hospital, the recipient changes his or her principle residence (e.g., gives up accommodation, changes from renter to boarder or lodger, etc.) the budgetary requirements would reflect the change.
For recipients who do not maintain their community residence while in hospital/SARH, income support is adjusted the month after they cease to maintain their community residence.
Recipients who do not have shelter costs are eligible to receive Basic Needs Allowance.
The first full calendar month that the recipient/dependant is a patient in a hospital or moves into the SARH will count as the first month of a temporary stay. For people who were granted while in a hospital or SARH, the first month of a stay is the month after the month of grant.
Examples
| Accommodation Status | Budgetary Requirements prior to Admission July | Budgetary Requirements Months 1 to 3 August - October |
|---|---|---|
| Renter - single (maintains accommodation) | $809 (BN) up to $599 (Shelter) | $809 (BN) up to $599 (Shelter) |
| Renter - couple, 2 dependants (between the ages of 0 and 17) (maintains accommodation) | $1,166 (BN) $1,105 (Shelter) | $1,166 (BN) $1,105 (Shelter) |
| Boarder - single (maintains accommodation) | $994 (B/L) $71 (Sp. Bd. Allow) | $994 (B/L) $71 (Sp. Bd. Allow) |
| Boarder - single (Gives up accommodation in Month 2) | $994 (B/L) $71 (Sp. Bd. Allow) | Month 1-2 $994 (B/L) Month 3 $809 (BN) |
| Boarder - couple where both have disabilities, 1 dependant (age 13 - 17) (maintains accommodation) | $1,977 (B/L) $167 (child) $71 (Sp. Bd. Allow) | $1,977 (B/L) $167 (child) $71 (Sp. Bd. Allow) |
| No community residence - single | $809 (BN) | $809 (BN) |
| No community residence - couple, 1 dependant (between the ages of 0 and 17) | $1,166 (BN) | $1,166 (BN) |
Stays Longer than Three Months
The regulation provides that the Director may reduce the budgetary requirements of the member after three months in a hospital or SARH, but is not required to do so.
The intent of the policy is to assist recipients with maintaining their community residence when a member of the benefit unit is temporarily hospitalized or moves into a SARH. Therefore, when determining whether budgetary requirements of the hospitalized member should be reduced after three months, consideration should be given to the actual costs of maintaining the community accommodation, as well as expenses related to the hospitalized member. In this regard, income support for the hospitalized member should not be reduced below $149 per month, which is the amount equivalent to a Personal Needs Allowance.
Residents in a Substance Abuse Recovery Home
A designated “Substance Abuse Recovery Program” refers to a residential program where counselling and/or treatment for a substance addiction are provided on-site for less than 6 months, and whose core funding is provided by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Substance Abuse Recovery Programs are delivered at specific facilities that meet certain criteria.
For publicly funded addiction treatment options in Ontario, please see information below for ConnexOntario, the province’s mental health and addictions service helpline. ConnexOntario is available 24/7 and can provide details on various services and supports.
You can reach ConnexOntario in several ways:
- Dial 811 (Health Connect Ontario number)
- Visit www.connexontario.ca for (chat and services directory)
- Call 1-866-531-2600
- Text CONNEX to 247247
- Email via ConnexOntario Email (www.connexontario.ca/en-ca/send-email)
- Use the ConnexGO app available on Android (Google Play) or iOS (App Store)
A recipient shall continue to receive all benefits to which he/she is entitled while in a hospital/recovery home. Recipients should inform the facility of receipt of these benefits to eliminate any duplication.
Hospital/SARH Discharge Procedures
In the month of discharge, recipients are eligible for a full month’s income support based on their accommodation costs and basic needs at the time of discharge.
Recipients who had their budgetary requirements reduced may require assistance with basic needs upon discharge (e.g. food, clothing, etc.). In these circumstances, they may be eligible for a retroactive budget calculation for the previous month(s). Arrears shall be provided on the date of discharge.
Example: Single recipient who is maintaining community residence while in hospital and receiving a shelter allowance of $599 basic needs amount was reduced after three months in hospital to $149. Recipient’s discharge date is September 15.
| July In Hospital | August In Hospital | September Discharged September 15th |
|---|---|---|
Budgetary Requirements: $599 (shelter) | Budgetary Requirements: $599 (shelter) | Budgetary requirements $599 (shelter) ---------- Since budgetary requirements were reduced after the third month in the hospital, the budgetary requirements for August are recalculated based on the discharge date of September 15. August retroactive budget calculation: |
Related Directives
6.1 Basic Needs Calculation
8.1 Budgetary requirements for recipients living in residences providing specialized care
11.1 Recovery of Overpayments