Special Diet

The Special Diet Supplement is a good way to get some extra money for you and your family. It used to be easy to get $250 for each person in your family but when Dalton McGuinty and his Liberal government found out poor people were getting enough to eat, they tried to put a stop to it.

Now, instead of basing your diet on what you need, they base it on what illnesses you have. There are lots of illnesses that aren’t listed and some of them get way too little money. For example, if you have diabetes or hypertension, you only get $44 but the government’s own doctors say you should get about two to three times that.

To see how much money you can get for different conditions look at the chart at the bottom of this page.

Also, welfare and ODSP can make your reapply once a year for your special diet (this is not the case for the weight loss conditions). They know that it is more than a hassle for people, that the doctor’s shortage means that some people won’t be able to get their forms resigned.

However, everyone should take their forms into their doctors because you could end up getting more money.

To apply, ask your worker for the Special Diet Forms. Your worker must give you the forms, even if you have had it before or if your kids are young (as long as they are a year old or older) or if your worker says they are healthy. If they won’t give you your forms, in Toronto, call us, in the rest of Ontario, call your local legal clinic.

Once you have the forms, take them into your doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor about everything that you and your kids experience. Some common conditions are:

Constipation

Allergies (egg, wheat, soya): Think hard about any problems any of you may have after eating any of these things. Lots of people have allergies and don’t know it.

Lactose Intolerant: between $35 and $97. Very common problem among both children and adults there is no test for lactose intolerance.

High Cholesterol:

Chewing and Teeth Problems If you have teeth or jaw problems that effect your chewing, this is for you. This includes children with baby teeth falling out.

High Blood Pressure

Diabetes: Lots of people develop this and have symptoms for a while before they get diagnosed.

Keep a copy of your filled out forms. This is really important in case you have problems with getting all or some of your money or in case your office loses them.

Once you submit filled out forms, they have to give you the money. They cannot ask you about your private medical information, a medical release form to be signed, or for anything else. If they say it is not your regular doctor so they can’t give it to you – they are lying. If they say they need proof - they are lying. Tell them your medical information is private and to give you your money. If they only give you part of your money or don’t give it to you at all, call the supervisor, if that doesn’t work call us or a legal clinic.

Special Diet Conditions: