New amounts start Sept 30 / Oct 1
The 2014 Ontario Budget, passed in July 2014, increased Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) rates.
A new rates sheet from ISAC outlines the new Basic Needs and Maximum Shelter amounts for different family types. Like last year, different family types will receive different increases.
Single people receiving Ontario Works, whose rates are lowest, will get an additional $30 per month. Others on OW (single people with children, couples, and couples with children) will see a 1% increase.
People with disabilities on ODSP will get slightly more than a 1% increase. However, like last year, there will be no increase in amounts intended to support their family members. Everyone receiving ODSP will get a $12 increase, regardless of the size or makeup of their family.
The fact sheet also explains that the government is applying these increases to different parts of people’s cheques, describes increases being made to other benefits, and provides current Ontario Child Benefit amounts.
The increases come into effect starting on the September 30 ODSP cheque and the October 1 OW cheque.
The fact sheet is available in both English (click here) and French (click here).