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Direct answer
ODSP and Passport serve different purposes. The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) provides monthly income and health benefits to adults with disabilities. The Passport program funds community participation, skills, and caregiver respite for adults with a developmental disability. Many autistic adults qualify for both, and the programs can be held at the same time.
Every answer on this site sits on the same verified counts. These are the current figures.
Published:
The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is income support for adults with a disability that is expected to last a year or more. It provides a monthly payment plus health benefits such as drug and dental coverage. Eligibility depends on both the disability determination and a financial (income and asset) test.
Autistic adults often qualify, but ODSP is means-tested, so income and assets matter. Money held in a properly structured trust or a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is generally treated differently from ordinary savings - worth planning before an adult child turns 18.
The Passport program funds community participation, life-skills development, and caregiver respite for adults with a developmental disability. It is administered through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO), and funding is used to buy supports and services, not as income.
Because ODSP and Passport do different jobs - income versus activity and respite funding - many families apply for both. Confirm current amounts and eligibility on ontario.ca, since program figures are reviewed periodically.
Yes. ODSP provides income and health benefits, while Passport funds community participation and respite. They serve different purposes and can be held at the same time.
Passport funds are used to purchase approved supports and services rather than paid as income, so they work differently from ODSP payments. Confirm the current treatment with DSO or your ODSP caseworker.
Adults 18 and older with a developmental disability, confirmed through Developmental Services Ontario, may be eligible for Passport funding.
ontario.ca
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
ontario.ca
Passport program - Developmental Services Ontario
Local route
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The clock
A child's place in the Ontario Autism Program queue is set by the AccessOAP registration date. 71,263 children are registered and still waiting for core funding (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026).
How Ontario Autism Program interim one-time funding works: what it can pay for, who is eligible, and how it fits alongside Core Clinical Services funding while you wait.
How supports change when an autistic young person turns 18 in Ontario — moving from the Ontario Autism Program and school to ODSP, the Passport program, adult health care, and decision-making arrangements.
How a Henson trust lets an autistic person inherit or receive money without losing means-tested benefits like ODSP in Ontario — how it works, why families use it, and when to get legal advice.
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: March 24, 2026.
Next Steps
These statistics represent real children missing their critical developmental windows.
Related Resources
How many children are on the Ontario autism waitlist in 2026?
VerifiedAs of May 13, 2026, 91,974 children are registered with the Ontario Autism Program. However, only 20,711 (22.5%) have an active Core Funding Agreement. This represents ~300% growth in registrations since 2019, with 71,263 children still waiting for essential funding.
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC · Mar 2026, FAO Report 2024 · Verify Link
How long do families wait for Ontario autism services?
VerifiedOntario autism wait times for core clinical services now exceed 5+ years (Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026). Funding invitations are currently reaching families who registered in August 2021 (Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026 (reported from community intake)). This delay far exceeds the sensitive early intervention window recommended by developmental specialists.
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC · Mar 2026, FAO Report 2024 · Verify Link
Is the Ontario Autism Program underfunded?
VerifiedYes. The Financial Accountability Office (FAO) determined that $1.35 billion annually is needed to serve all registered children at 2018-19 service levels. The 2026-27 Ontario Budget allocated $965 million, leaving an estimated $385M+ annual shortfall. This gap is the primary driver of the perpetual 91,974+ child waitlist.
Source: Financial Accountability Office of Ontario [FAO] · Verify Link
Registered
91,97491,974Children registered
Total in the Ontario Autism Program queue
MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026
Funded
20,71120,711Have active funding
Only 22.5% of registered children
MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026
Waiting
71,26371,263Still waiting
Registered. Diagnosed. Un-funded.
MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026
Verified , MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 91,974 |
| Have active funding | 20,711 |
| Still waiting | 71,263 |