The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) covers transportation costs for medical appointments provided they are $15 or more per month. When travel expenses are approved, the most economical mode of transportation must be used. Clients will not be permitted to take an expensive taxi if cheap public transportation is available unless a medical professional confirms the patient cannot use transit due to a health condition. To be approved for transportation costs, a Mandatory Special Necessities Benefit Application (MSN) must be completed and submitted to the ODSP worker.
Grouping expenses
If the ODSP client has multiple medical appointments (such as a physiotherapist and a dentist for example), it may be prudent to try to schedule them in the same calendar month to exceed the minimum $15 threshold.
Modes of transportation
Eligible modes of transportation are public transit, paratransit (such as Wheel Trans in Toronto), taxi, and ambulance. Private vehicle compensation is also eligible and pays $0.40 per kilometer or $0.41 in the North and North East Regions. Parking is also paid with appropriate documentation.
To be eligible for taxi, public transit and personal vehicle options must not be available.
Eligible Appointments
Travel can be claimed for any healthcare professional regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act, including Doctors, Dentists, Optometrists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Counsellors. Additionally, travel to and from recovery groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can be claimed if attendance has been prescribed by a doctor.
Emergency Travel
If emergency travel is required, clients can still submit receipts without having prior approval.