Ontario Updates Special Diet Allowance

Ontario is adding three conditions to the list of medical conditions for which social assistance recipients may be eligible to receive a Special Diet Allowance.

This change will help affected individuals with the extra costs of a special diet.

Eligibility is verified through an assessment by an approved medical professional.

The three new medical conditions to be added are:

• Congenital heart defect in patients who have had a Ross Procedure or an arterial switch procedure or coexisting coarctation of the aorta. Congenital heart defect refers to a malformation of the heart, aorta, or other large blood vessels, and is the most common form of major birth defect in newborns
• Unintended weight loss due to interferon treatment for people with hepatitis C
• Rett Syndrome, a neurodevelopment disorder that affects mobility and brain development. Social assistance recipients who have Rett Syndrome may be eligible for a Special Diet Allowance if they have a body mass index of less than 18.5

The changes are effective Dec. 1, 2014.

Eligible recipients can request an Application for Special Diet Allowance form from their local Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program office.