Community members receiving Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) may be eligible to receive additional money for food items every month, if they have special dietary needs. In 2010, the cost of feeding a family of four in the Thunder Bay District was $789.97 a month. The current OW/ODSP rates are too low for recipients to feed themselves after attending to other basic necessities such as rent and transportation costs.

The remaining balance is all that is left to pay for other essentials such as toiletries, clothing, telephone bills and transportation.

Since heat and hydro bills need to be paid on time, food is often seen as the only flexible budget line and therefore the family's health and wellbeing suffer. You can see how extra money would help this family to feed themselves better. See other income scenarios in the Cost of Eating Well Report 2010 and a food budget in Budgeting For Food 

Although many health professionals and social service providers know that social assistance recipients are unable to afford enough food let alone nutritious food, sometimes providers are not aware of the special dietary funds available to clients. Physicians, Registered Dietitians, Registered Nurses (extended class), and Registered Midwives (pregnancy/breastfeeding and infant diets only) can prescribe special diets for social assistance recipients. The Special Diet Allowance is a discretionary income benefit available to all OW/ODSP recipients. One of the medical professionals listed above must complete an application on the recipient's behalf and it is then reviewed by income support managers.

The Ministry of Community and Social Services has recently revised the Special Diet Allowance (SDA) program effective April 1, 2011. The SDA is a funding supplement provided to eligible Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program recipients.  It is intended to help individuals who have an eligible medical condition with the cost associated with a special diet.

New Forms Effective April 1, 2011

The Ministry has created new application forms (#3111/3112) and, after April 1st, applications based on the old form will not be processed. Click here to view the Ministry of Community and Social Services Special Dietary Allowance website.

For more information click here to view the Income Security Advocacy Centre website.