Ontario Works benefits will be changing

Waterloo Region – As a result of the 2012 provincial budget, some changes will be made to Ontario Works benefits.

The Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit will no longer be available through Ontario Works starting January 1, 2013. This fund was used for last month’s rent, rental arrears (eviction), and utility costs.

The provincial budget also reduced the amount of funding for discretionary benefits such as dental work for adults, baby supplies, bus tickets to come to the Ontario Works office, or food hampers provided by community agencies (e.g., the House of Friendship).

There will be no changes made to these discretionary benefits in 2012, however they may change in the future because of changes in funding from the province.

Monthly Ontario Works cheques will not change.

The Region of Waterloo sent out surveys to community partners, Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) staff, and OW and ODSP recipients in order to understand what benefits are most important to OW and ODSP recipients. This feedback will be used to make recommendations to Regional Council as part of the 2013 budget process.

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For more information, please contact:

David Dirks, Director, Employment and Income Support, 519-883-2179