Welfare recipients get a raise

Mon, 2004-07-12 00:00

News Release
Ontario Government

TORONTO, June 30 /CNW/ - Ontarians who rely on the province’s social assistance programs will see their first increase in 11 years beginning with a special payment scheduled for early this fall, Minister of Community and Social Services Sandra Pupatello announced today.
“Some of our most vulnerable citizens have been waiting 11 years for help,” said Pupatello. “This government is providing help when the need is greatest, during the back-to-school season and as the colder weather arrives.”
The province will provide two equal lump-sum payments to eligible people who rely on Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) until the government’s three per cent rate increase can be fully implemented. The special payments will provide extra assistance while the province’s social assistance technology is being updated to deliver the rate increase to clients province-wide.
This is the first rate increase since the new technology that delivers social assistance was fully implemented across the province in 2002. The current system cannot process a rate increase until system changes are made and properly tested. This will be completed by March 2005.
The first special payment will be delivered at the end of September for ODSP recipients and the beginning of October for OW recipients. The second special payment will be delivered at the end of November for ODSP recipients and the beginning of December for OW recipients.
The special payments honour a commitment by the McGuinty government to give social assistance recipients their first increase in more than a decade.
“We know there’s more work to be done. But this is an important first step in building a sustainable social safety net that helps people succeed, promotes family stability, and helps kids get the best start in life,” said Pupatello.
Social assistance recipients will also be able to keep the federal government’s July 2004 increase to the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS) this year. In the past, the federal government’s yearly increase to the NCBS was deducted from social assistance payments. This means an extra $7million this year for parents who need it the most.
The government is also acting on its Throne Speech commitment to restore the nutritional allowance for pregnant women on social assistance. This will be implemented beginning in July 2004.
“Our government refuses to balance its books on the backs of the poor,”
said Pupatello. “After years of neglect, Ontario’s social assistance
recipients are finally being treated with the dignity and respect they
deserve. This is the change Ontarians voted for.”

FACT SHEET
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FACT SHEET

ONTARIO SOCIAL ASSISTANCE RATE INCREASE AND SPECIAL PAYMENTS

- On May 18, 2004, the Ontario Budget announced a three per cent rate
increase to the basic needs allowance and maximum shelter allowance
for individuals and families who rely on social assistance. These are
the first increases to social assistance rates since 1993.
- The rate increase will be implemented on February 28, 2005 for
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients, and on March 1,
2005 for Ontario Works (OW) recipients.

- The government will get extra funds to eligible individuals and
families on social assistance as quickly as possible. Until the rate
increase can be implemented, eligible social assistance recipients
will receive two lump-sum special payments in the fall of 2004.
- In both September and November, an eligible single person
receiving ODSP will receive an extra $110, and an eligible family
on ODSP will receive an extra $200.
- In both October and December, an eligible single person receiving
OW will receive an extra $65, and an eligible family on OW will
receive an extra $130.
- In both October and December, eligible individuals receiving the
OW Temporary Care Allowance will receive $25 for one child or $45
for two or more children.

- Currently, there are approximately 400,000 active social assistance
cases, representing more than 670,000 Ontarians.

For more information visit www.mcss.gov.on.ca

For further information: Contacts: Sara Best, Minister’s Office,
(416) 325-5213; Anne Machowski-Smith, Ministry of Community and Social
Services, (416) 325-5156

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Welfare recipients get a raise