We all want quality of life for our loved ones —
especially those with special needs. However, planning for them can
be fraught with difficulties, some of which may jeopardize their
entitlement to Ontario Disability Support Program Act benefits
(ODSP).
The silver lining is that all is not lost: there are options to
ameliorate the situation even after the testator has died.
At the outset, we need to appreciate the significance of
preserving ODSP benefits.
The plan is a form of social assistance that provides a monthly
stipend until age 65, when the CPP disability pension commences. In
addition, there are medical benefits that can prove as valuable as
the stipend, if not more so. All this, combined with other
resources, can help provide a better quality of life for the
special needs person.
