Informed by ongoing consultation with our community partners on issues relevant to our mandate, ISAC has made the following eight recommendations for the Spring 2023 budget: Invest in Income Security Programs Recommendation #1: Raise social…
Every federal budget cycle includes a period for submissions well in advance of budget deliberations, followed by a pre-budget submission period closer to the time when the budget will be released. ISAC submitted recommendations for…
Recently, the federal Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP) met to discuss the Auditor General’s December 2022 performance audit report, Report 10 – Specific COVID-19 Benefits, on the treatment of pandemic benefits. ISAC’s analysis found…
When a person living with disabilities receives Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) income support, they have a responsibility to pursue other government benefits that they may be eligible for. ODSP may withhold income support to…
The Income Security Advocacy Centre and the Grey Bruce Community Legal Clinic recently represented an ODSP recipient who required two caregivers to assist her with her day-to-day activities and literacy-based support. ODSP believed that one of these…
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…
The Income Security Advocacy Centre and Chatham-Kent Legal Clinic recently worked together to represent a former healthcare worker receiving Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D) benefits who desired to work sometime in the future (even in…
Throughout Autumn 2022, ISAC legal staff delivered several small group trainings on the basics of the Canada Pension Plan-Disability (CPP-D) benefit to more than 55 community legal clinic caseworkers working across Ontario. Our goal was…
The Government of Ontario has opened up its pre-budget consultation period for submissions from members of the public. This is a great time to share your thoughts on what should be included and prioritized in…
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…
Important changes to the laws governing the Social Security Tribunal (SST) have been made as of December 5, 2022. The SST deals with appeals and issues relating to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Canada Pension…
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…