ODSP Employment Supports: Help Finding and Keeping a Job

<p>When an autistic young person moves into adulthood and starts thinking about work, one of the most useful — and most overlooked — programs in Ontario is <strong>ODSP Employment Supports.</strong> It's separate from ODSP income support, it's free, and you don't have to be receiving ODSP payments to use it. Here's what it does and how to access it.</p><p>## What ODSP Employment Supports is</p><p>ODSP Employment Supports helps people with disabilities <strong>prepare for, find, keep, and advance in a job.</strong> It's run by the Ontario Ministry responsible for social services and delivered across the province through a network of community-based service providers.</p><p>It works on a <strong>brokerage model</strong>: the government funds third-party service providers who work directly with you to remove barriers to employment and help you reach a competitive job. Providers are paid based on results — helping people get placed and stay employed — and <strong>they cannot charge you for these services.</strong></p><p>## Who is eligible</p><p>You may be eligible if you:</p><p>- Are <strong>16 or older</strong></p><p>- Have a <strong>substantial physical or mental disability</strong> expected to last a year or more that makes it hard to find or keep a job (autism qualifies)</p><p>- Want to work and are ready to work — even if you've never worked before</p><p>Two points that surprise many families:</p><p>- <strong>You do not need to be receiving ODSP income support</strong> to use Employment Supports. If you're not on income support, an approved health professional simply completes a short Verification of Disability/Impairment form describing how your disability affects your ability to work.</p><p>- If your income is above roughly $51,000/year, you may be asked to contribute toward the cost of some supports.</p><p>## What it provides</p><p>Services are tailored to each person, and can include:</p><p>- <strong>Job readiness and planning</strong> — identifying goals and building an employment plan</p><p>- <strong>Help finding a job</strong> — placement support and connections to local employers</p><p>- <strong>Job coaching</strong> — support learning the role, on the job</p><p>- <strong>Retention and advancement support</strong> — help keeping the job and moving forward in your career</p><p>- <strong>Self-employment support</strong> — including help preparing a business plan</p><p>- <strong>Assistive devices and adaptive technology</strong> needed for work, and communication supports (such as interpreter services)</p>