Jan 14th 2026:
#Guelph #OSDP Advisory meeting.
Today's guests were from
#Hope Start Employment Services to talk about their program of seeking employment with mental health aspects covered.
I ask about safety nets when switching from ODSP to employment and was told our ODSP goes on pause, it can pick up again at any time as long as you have the medical to cover that, not temporary. So you can go work 6 months, lose the job and go back onto ODSP after a financial assessment only.
I ask does income trigger any kind of financial assesment, NO. ODSP rep says we are eligible for 500$ and 100$ employment start up and help monthly respectively.
There is coversge under Hope Start for a 50 to 52 week program (ie welding) to be covered, as well as some interview clothes, and the employment specialists will meet you anywhere, like tim hortons or a library. Self employment and seniors are eligible.
Anyone can join this program as long as they show they have barriers to employment, you do not need to be on OW or ODSP. There is limited access until late March. early April but contact Hope Start Employment Guelph.
helpful tips from workers and recipients:
access2 card for movies & theatres gets 1 extra in free
Guelph civic museum doing Military History talk and Jan 23rd a concert, admission by donation
disability travel program for buses and trains
toogoodtogo app for discounted food
national gallery of canada has free online art courses
side by side Guelph has food sources
FAIR fare assistance program, city of Guelph
Thanks to all the members and workers, thus group is a much needed set of conversations and trust building between clients and odsp workers.
Mitchell/odspoor
