The Ontario government has made some very positive changes to OW and ODSP. The Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC) prepared a summary that is available on the ISAC website: http://incomesecurity.org/public-education/positive-changes-to-ow-and-odsp-changements-positifs-apportes-a-ot-et-au-posph/ (English and French). The ISAC summary includes links to documents that provide more details about the changes.
As a result of the significant asset limit increases, more people will be eligible for OW and ODSP, and more people will retain eligibility if they obtain assets while in receipt of OW or ODSP.
In addition to the positive changes in the ISAC summary and documents, there was a recent 2% increase to the ODSP and OW basic allowance and shelter maximum benefits as well as to some other benefits, including the board and lodging rates, the guide dog benefit, Personal Needs Allowance, and temporary care assistance. The Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) maximum rate increased from $480 to $490 per month. For more information about the rate increases, please visit the ISAC website http://incomesecurity.org/public-education/ow-and-odsp-rates-and-the-ocb-2017/ (English and French). Some benefits were not increased (for example: special diet allowances).
HALCO provides free legal services for people with HIV in Ontario. If you are living with HIV in Ontario and have questions about this or other legal issues, please contact us.