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ISAC Response to the Commission’s Second Discussion Paper
UPDATE: Here is ISAC’s complete submission in response to the discussion paper La présentation est disponible en français ici —————————- Originally posted March 15: Since the release of the...
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ODSP Action Coalition – MPP Lobby Kit
The ODSP Action Coalition has created a lobby kit for advocates to use in meetings with their MPPs on the Social Assistance Review. The Coalition is a provincial group advocating for people with...
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Act Now to Save Housing Supports for People on OW and ODSP!
Save Housing Supports! The Community Start-up and Maintenance Benefit and the Home Repairs Benefit were both eliminated in the 2012 budget. The cuts will come into force in January 2013. Cutting these...
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Take a “Call-in Coffee Break” to Save the CSUMB!
On Friday, Sept. 28, take 5 minutes to tell your MPP to reverse the cuts to housing benefits for people on OW and ODSP! Every month, thousands of people in Ontario need the Community Start-up and...
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ISAC Responds to Final Report of Social Assistance Review
TORONTO (Oct 24, 2012) – The Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC) is urging the provincial government to respond to the report of the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario by...
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The Real Cost of Cutting the Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit
The provincial government’s decision to eliminate the Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit (CSUMB) will have negative impacts – not only on housing, but also on people’s health. The Wellesley...
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Webinar: The Commission’s Report and Future Direction for Social Assistance...
Brighter Prospects, the final report of the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario, was issued October 24, 2012. In this webinar, Jennefer Laidley of the Income Security Advocacy...
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Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit – Information Repository
The Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit (CSUMB) was eliminated by the provincial government as a benefit within social assistance (OW and ODSP) as of January 1, 2013. In June 2012, ISAC...
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Update: Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit
On December 27, 2012, the provincial government announced $42 million in one-time funding for local housing and homelessness initiatives. The announcement says that the money “will assist eligible...
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Tracking the Impact of the Loss of CSUMB
ISAC has partnered with the Wellesley Institute to create an online tool to track the impact on individuals across Ontario of the loss of the Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit (CSUMB). This...
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Social Assistance Rates Update
OW & ODSP Rates and the Ontario Child Benefit We have prepared a new rates sheet that shows changes in OW and ODSP rates and the Ontario Child Benefit. The new rates will be in effect between July...
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Submission to Ontario’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy Update
The Ontario government is winding down consultations on the update of its Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy. The province’s first five-year Strategy comes to an end in 2015 and will be updated...
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ODSP Work-Related Benefit to Continue
Low-income people with disabilities across the province have won a big victory in a campaign to ensure that people on ODSP who work don’t lose an important source of monthly income. The Ministry of...
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Making Work Work for All: Changing Workplaces Submission
ISAC has made a submission to the province’s “Changing Workplaces Review”, which is considering making changes to the Labour Relations Act and the Employment Standards Act. Our submission highlights...
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OW and ODSP Rates and the OCB – 2015
The 2015 Ontario Budget included an increase in Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) rates. Our new rates sheet shows the current and new Basic Needs and Maximum Shelter...
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Election 2015: Party Positions On Key Issues
If you’re not one of the 3.6 million Canadians who voted in the advance polls, you may still be wondering who to vote for. We’ve compiled a list of quick facts on key issues as well as information on...
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ODSP Work-Related Benefit is Still Available
As we reported last month, the government recently announced that it had reconsidered its plans to eliminate the $100 ODSP Work-Related Benefit, and six other employment benefits in OW and ODSP, and...
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ODSP: Medical Reviews
The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) does not require applicants to be permanently disabled in order to qualify for benefits. This aspect of the program is very important because it means that...
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ODSP: Human Rights Challenge to Group Homes Exclusion from Special Diet...
The Special Diet Allowance is available to Ontario Works and ODSP recipients who have medical conditions which require a therapeutic diet. Qualifying medical conditions are listed on a Schedule in the...
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Social Assistance Reform: Update Nov 2015
In 2008, the Ontario government committed to reviewing the social assistance system as part of its Poverty Reduction Strategy. Since then, many recommendations have been made for reforming the system....
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