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Income Security Advocacy Centre

Income Security Advocacy Centre

ISAC works to address issues of income security and poverty in Ontario

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Ontario Works (OW)

Simple graphic icon which includes an outline of a piece of paper with the top left corner folded in, and two star shapes on the right side of the piece of paper. These elements are in dark blue, and they are placed inside a light blue circle.

Ontario Pre-Budget Submission 2024: An Opportunity to Change Course 

Ontario is in a state of unprecedented crisis. While the province recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic-induced shock on its socio-economic structure, Ontario’s low-income and vulnerable population have seen their poverty and marginalization increase in almost…

January 31, 2024
Disability Justice, Employment Standards, Minimum Wage, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works (OW), Policy Advocacy, Poverty Reduction, Provincial Budgets, Social Assistance, Workers' Rights

Modernization of Ontario’s Social Assistance Programs: New Amendments, Same Old Concerns

Ontario’s social assistance system is in the midst of a “modernization” process that aims to “build a more responsive, efficient, and person-centred” system. The modernization process essentially involves two parts – Social Assistance Renewal (SAR)…

December 7, 2023
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works (OW), Policy Advocacy, Social Assistance Reform

Promises and Pitfalls of the Canada Disability Benefit: Webinar Link

On October 23, 2023, Adrian Merdzan, ISAC Staff Lawyer, joined a panel of experts on an Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development webinar to discuss the Canada Disability Benefit. Adrian joined the first of two…

November 24, 2023
Access to Justice, Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), Government Benefits - General, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works (OW), Policy Advocacy, Public Education
Blue arc which is part of ISAC's logo

Response to the Ontario Government’s Fall 2023 Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review

On November 2, the Ontario Government released the 2023 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, titled “Building a Strong Ontario Together”. Aside from a provision for low‐income seniors, the Review contains glaring omissions in recognizing…

November 16, 2023
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works (OW), Policy Advocacy, Poverty Reduction, Provincial Budgets, Social Assistance Rates, Workers' Rights
Simple graphic icon which includes an outline of a piece of paper with the top left corner folded in, and two star shapes on the right side of the piece of paper. These elements are in dark blue, and they are placed inside a light blue circle.

New Resource: Info Sheet on Ontario Works and Gifts

There are rules about how much money a person living on Ontario Works can receive in gifts or “voluntary payments”. Generally, a person living on Ontario Works can receive gifts up to a maximum of…

October 3, 2023
Ontario Works (OW), Public Education, Social Assistance
Blue arc which is part of ISAC's logo

Press Release: Annual Social Assistance Rates Sheet Released, Too Little For ODSP Recipients and No Increase for OW Recipients

TORONTO, ON – Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients will see a slight increase to their July social assistance cheques due to an inflation-related increase to basic needs and maximum shelter allowances. The Income Security…

July 7, 2023
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works (OW), Press Release, Social Assistance Rates
Simple graphic icon which includes an outline of a piece of paper with the top left corner folded in, and two star shapes on the right side of the piece of paper. These elements are in dark blue, and they are placed inside a light blue circle.

ODSP and OW Rates and OCB as of July 2023

For the fifth year in a row, Ontario Works (OW) incomes remain stagnant and well below the official poverty line for every family type. The provincial government did not make any increases to OW benefit…

July 7, 2023
Government Benefits - General, Ontario Child Benefit (OCB), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works (OW), Social Assistance Rates

Ontario Budget 2023: Designed to Balance the Books on the Backs of Ontario’s Poorest During a Worsening Affordability Crisis

On Thursday, March 23, following Finance Minister Bethlenfalvy’s Speech from the Throne, the Provincial 2023-2024 Budget was introduced. Released shortly after the three-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Budget contained few provisions to support…

March 30, 2023
Employment Standards, Government Benefits - General, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works (OW), Policy Advocacy, Provincial Budgets, Social Assistance

Ontario Budget 2023: Presentation to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

In a typical year, provincial budget season lasts from January to early Spring, and includes pre-budget and budget submission periods, meetings, and hearings. On February 13, 2023, ISAC’s Senior Policy Analyst, Devorah Kobluk, spoke at…

February 15, 2023
Access to Justice, Employment Standards, Human Rights, Minimum Wage, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works (OW), Policy Advocacy, Provincial Budgets, Social Assistance Rates, Workers' Rights

Ontario Budget 2023: Presentation to the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance

In a typical year, provincial budget season lasts from January to early Spring, and includes pre-budget and budget submission periods, meetings, and hearings. ISAC’s Senior Policy Analyst, Devorah Kobluk, was invited to present to MPP…

January 27, 2023
Access to Justice, Human Rights, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works (OW), Provincial Budgets, Social Assistance, Workers' Rights

New temporary federal benefits for low income parents, renters, and on-reserve residents

The federal government is offering three temporary benefits for families and people living on low incomes. Canada Dental Benefit (temporary, one-time benefit, two eligibility periods) The Canada Dental Benefit is intended to support families whose…

December 19, 2022
Government Benefits - General, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works (OW), Social Assistance
Blue arc which is part of ISAC's logo

2022 Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review Analysis

On November 14, 2022, the Minister of Finance, Peter Bethlenfalvy, presented the Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review. While the proposed changes for people who rely on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and can work…

November 28, 2022
Minimum Wage, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Ontario Works (OW), Provincial Budgets, Social Assistance, Social Assistance Rates, Workers' Rights
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Income Security Advocacy Centre

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1500 – 55 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5J 2H7
Tel: (416) 597-5820 • Toll Free: 1-866-245-4072 • Fax: (416) 597-5821

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This site contains general legal information for people in Ontario, Canada. It is not intended to be used as legal advice for a specific legal problem. ISAC is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization. ISAC is funded by Legal Aid Ontario (LAO). The funding for this website is also provided by LAO. The views expressed in any of ISAC’s publications (including written, oral, or visual) are the views of the clinic and do not necessarily reflect those of LAO.