Tuesday, November 03, 2015
Ministry of Community and Social Services
Ontario Increasing Support for People Receiving Social Assistance
Ontario Invests $100 Million to Help Vulnerable Ontarians
Ontario has increased financial support for people receiving social assistance.
This fall, the social assistance rate increases announced in the 2015 Budget came into effect, including:
- $25 more per month for single adults receiving Ontario Works who don’t have children, for a total monthly increase of $75 since 2013
- One per cent more for families receiving Ontario Works
- One per cent more for people with disabilities who access the Ontario Disability Support Program
- One per cent more for various other rates, including the Remote Communities Allowance and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities.
Since 2003, Ontario has increased social assistance rates by 18.3 per cent for families who access Ontario Works, by 29 per cent for singles with children who access Ontario Works and by 18.3 per cent for people with disabilities who receive Ontario Disability Support Program payments.
Providing vulnerable Ontarians with the support they need to realize their potential is part of the government's economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan.
Quick Facts:
- Ontario Disability Support Program clients saw their rate increase reflected in their October cheques, which were issued at the end of the month, while Ontario Works clients saw their increases in their November cheques, which were issued at the beginning of the month.
- In July 2015, the Ontario Child Benefit increased and was indexed to inflation for the first time.
Additional Resources:
Quotes:
"Our social assistance programs help Ontarians in need recover from hardship and find work in their communities. Increasing social assistance rates is an important part of maintaining an effective social safety net as we move towards reforming social assistance, guided by the principles of adequacy, simplicity and fairness."
— Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services
Media Contacts:
Alissa Von Bargen
Minister’s Office
416-325-5450
Kristen Tedesco
Communications Branch
416-325-5178
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