Leena Watts
The Special Diet Allowance is a government-provided allowance that offers financial support to individuals with specific medical conditions requiring a special diet. The allowance aims to assist with the additional costs associated with dietary restrictions or requirements prescribed by a healthcare professional. The application process involves submitting an approved form, indicating the medical condition(s) and the duration of the special diet's necessity. Eligibility is determined by approved healthcare professionals, and the allowance amount varies based on the specific medical condition, with a maximum of $250 per month in Ontario, Canada. The allowance is typically included in the recipient's income support during the month of application and is subject to renewal or removal based on ongoing eligibility.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible? | Applicants and recipients who reside in hospitals, domiciliary-type hostels, interval and transition homes for victims of family violence, emergency hostels and shelters, and residential programs for the treatment of substance abuse may be eligible for the allowance. |
| Who is not eligible? | Applicants or recipients receiving emergency hostel services by First Nations delivery agents or residing in long-term care homes are not eligible. |
| What is the allowance for? | To assist with the cost of a special diet that is required due to an approved medical condition. |
| Who approves the allowance? | An approved health care professional must confirm that the member has a medical condition for which a special diet allowance is provided. |
| What is the maximum allowance? | $250 per month, per member of the benefit unit. |
| What form is required? | Application for Special Diet Allowance (Form 3111-English/3112-French). |
| Who can fill out the form? | A Physician registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, a Registered Nurse in the Extended Class registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario, a Registered Dietitian registered with the College of Dietitians of Ontario, a Registered Midwife registered with the College of Midwives of Ontario, or a Traditional Aboriginal Midwife recognized and accredited by their Aboriginal community. |
| What happens if the application is incomplete? | If an incomplete application form is submitted, the "Special Diet Allowance - Form Not Completed Correctly" letter should be sent to the recipient. |
| When is the eligibility reviewed? | Eligibility is reviewed at least once every 12 months. |
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What You'll Learn
Application process
The Special Diet Allowance (SDA) is a component of budgetary requirements that provides additional assistance to members of a benefit unit to help with the cost of a special diet due to an approved medical condition. The application process for the Special Diet Allowance is as follows:
- Obtaining the Application Form: The participant can obtain the Application for Special Diet Allowance (Form 3111-English/3112-French) by contacting their caseworker. Only the original, ministry-approved application form can be used, and it must be completed truthfully, correctly, and completely.
- Medical Certification: An approved health care professional must complete the application form, indicating the medical condition(s) requiring a special diet and the length of time the diet is required. This could include physicians, registered nurses in the extended class, dietitians, or midwives, who are entitled to receive a $20 payment for completing the form.
- Consent for Release of Information: The participant must sign the Applicant Declaration & Consent for Release of Information (Section IV) after the health professional completes the form. This allows the release of relevant medical information to support the application. If the allowance is for a child under 16, the participant or their spouse must sign the declaration for the child.
- Submitting the Application: The completed application form must be forwarded to the local ODSP office, either by mail, email, or in person. The application fee of $20 for completion by a physician is covered under OHIP.
- Review and Approval: Upon receipt of the application, the caseworker will review the form to ensure all regulatory criteria have been met. If approved, the SDA will be added to the benefit unit's budgetary requirements starting with the first day of the month in which the application was received.
- Ongoing Eligibility: Eligibility for the SDA will be reviewed at least once every 12 months, and the Director may request a review of the recipient's special dietary needs at any time. If the approved health professional indicates that the special diet is no longer required, the SDA will end.
- Appeal Process: If the application for SDA is not approved, the recipient will receive a letter indicating the reason for the decision and their right to request an internal review. If the internal review does not result in a changed decision, the recipient may appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal.
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Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for a Special Diet Allowance, applicants must meet several criteria. Firstly, they must be recipients of either basic needs/shelter allowance or the board and lodging amount. Additionally, an approved healthcare professional must confirm that the applicant has a medical condition that requires a special diet. This confirmation must be indicated on the application form, and the professional must also specify the length of time the special diet is required.
The approved healthcare professionals who can complete the application form include:
- A physician registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
- A registered nurse in the Extended Class registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario
- A registered dietitian registered with the College of Dietitians of Ontario
- A registered midwife registered with the College of Midwives of Ontario
- A Traditional Aboriginal Midwife recognised and accredited by their Aboriginal community
It is important to note that midwives can only confirm the need for a special diet in cases of insufficient lactation to sustain breastfeeding or when breastfeeding is contraindicated.
The application form must be the original, ministry-approved version, and all sections must be completed correctly. This includes the applicant's declaration and consent for the release of information, which must be signed. If the allowance is for a child under 16, the participant or their spouse must sign the declaration.
The eligibility criteria also specify that applicants who reside in certain types of accommodation may be eligible, provided their budgetary requirements are determined under specific sections of O. Reg 134/98. These accommodations include hospitals, domiciliary-type hostels, interval and transition homes for victims of family violence, emergency hostels, and shelters.
Finally, eligibility for the Special Diet Allowance is reviewed at least once every 12 months.
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Allowance amount
The allowance amount for the Special Diet Allowance is determined by consulting the Special Diets Schedule, which provides an allowance amount for each medical condition. The maximum allowance provided is $250 per month per member of the benefit unit, and it is part of the budgetary requirements. The allowance amount is included in the recipient's income support in the month that a completed application is received by the local office.
The Special Diet Allowance is provided to recipients and their dependants who receive either basic needs/shelter allowance, or the board and lodging amount. The allowance is meant to assist with the cost of a special diet that is due to an approved medical condition for which the special diet is generally considered by the Ontario medical community to be an adjuvant to the treatment of the medical condition.
If an approved healthcare professional confirms more than one medical condition for which a Special Diet Allowance is required, the member is eligible to receive multiple allowances equal to the amount for each condition. However, there are exceptions to this. If both an allergy to milk/dairy and lactose intolerance are listed on the application form, only one allowance will be provided - the allowance for an allergy to milk/milk products. Similarly, if more than one of the following conditions is listed: Congenital heart defect, Diabetes, Gestational Diabetes, Hypertension, Extreme Obesity, Hypercholesterolemia/Hyperlipidemia, and Prader-Willi Syndrome, only one allowance, the highest, will be provided.
The Special Diet Allowance is not provided in combination with a Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Nutritional Allowance. However, if breastfeeding is not possible, the infant is eligible to receive a Special Diet Allowance until the month in which he or she turns 12 months old.
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Qualifying medical conditions
A Special Diet Allowance (SDA) is a provision for those who require assistance with the cost of a special diet due to a medical condition. This allowance is not a benefit but is a component of the budgetary requirements. The maximum allowance provided is $250 per month per member of the benefit unit.
- Congenital heart defect — Have had Ross procedure or arterial switch procedure or have coexisting coarctation of aorta
- Diabetes
- Gestational Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Extreme Obesity
- Hypercholesterolemia/Hyperlipidemia
- Prader-Willi Syndrome
- Allergy to Milk/Dairy and Lactose Intolerance
- Insufficient lactation to sustain breastfeeding
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
To qualify for the allowance, an approved health care professional must confirm that the individual has a medical condition that requires a special diet. The approved health care professionals who can complete the application form include:
- A physician registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
- A registered nurse in the Extended Class registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario
- A registered dietitian registered with the College of Dietitians of Ontario
- A registered midwife registered with the College of Midwives of Ontario
- A Traditional Aboriginal Midwife recognised and accredited by their Aboriginal community
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Dietary requirements
To be eligible for the Special Diet Allowance, individuals must have their medical condition confirmed by an approved healthcare professional. This can include a physician, registered nurse, registered dietitian, or a midwife, depending on the specific circumstances and requirements. The healthcare professional completes the relevant application form, indicating the medical condition and the length of time the special diet is required. It is important to note that only original, ministry-approved application forms are accepted, and they must be accurately completed and signed by the applicant or their authorised representative. Incomplete or altered forms will not be accepted.
The Special Diet Allowance covers a range of medical conditions, each with its own dietary requirements. These conditions include congenital heart defects, diabetes, gestational diabetes, hypertension, extreme obesity, hypercholesterolemia/hyperlipidemia, and Prader-Willi syndrome. Additionally, dietary requirements related to allergies, such as an allergy to milk or lactose intolerance, are also considered. For individuals with multiple eligible conditions, the allowance provided will be equal to the highest applicable amount.
The amount of the Special Diet Allowance varies depending on the specific medical condition and the associated dietary needs. The allowance is determined by referring to the Special Diets Schedule, which outlines the allowance amount for each condition. The maximum allowance provided is $250 per month, per member of the benefit unit. This amount is included in the recipient's income support in the month that a completed application is received.
It is important to note that the Special Diet Allowance is subject to review and renewal. Eligibility is typically reviewed at least once every 12 months. If an individual's medical condition changes and a special diet is no longer required, the allowance will be discontinued. Similarly, if an application for renewal is not received, the allowance will not be renewed and will be removed from the participant's assistance.
In addition to the financial support provided by the Special Diet Allowance, OW or ODSP may also cover the costs associated with medical appointments, further assisting individuals with their healthcare needs.
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Frequently asked questions
A Special Diet Allowance (SDA) provides additional assistance to members of a benefit unit to assist with the cost of a special diet that is due to an approved medical condition.
You can apply for a Special Diet Allowance by filling out Form 3111 (English) or 3112 (French). Only original, ministry-approved application forms will be accepted.
An approved health care professional must confirm that you have a medical condition that requires a special diet. This can include a physician, registered nurse, registered dietitian, or registered midwife.
