The Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit (CSUMB) is a benefit for people who receive Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or Ontario Works (OW) benefits. CSUMB ends on January 1, 2013.
CSUMB is an ODSP/OW benefit that helps with issues like: first and last month’s rent deposits, buying or replacing furniture, deposits for utilities, and overdue utility bills.
If you are on ODSP/OW and you think you might be eligible for CSUMB, you must apply before December 31, 2012.
HALCO has prepared a CSUMB information kit that includes:
- Applying for CSUMB
- Internal Review and Appeal Processes (how to challenge an ODSP/OW decision)
- The campaign to save CSUMB
- Ontario’s Social Assistance Review, and
- Getting Legal Help.
In 2013, local municipal governments will start to provide some benefits that are similar to the CSUMB. We do not know what these new benefits will be in each community. If you are not sure about applying for CSUMB and you are living with HIV, you can contact us for free legal advice. If you are not living with HIV, you can contact your local legal clinic: https://www.legalaid.on.ca/services/legal-clinics/.