1. Handout #1 List of documents you will need to apply DOC # 1052773 Handout #2 OW Rates Card Handout #3 OW Budget Examples DOC# 1052744 Handout #4 OW Dental Benefits / Healthy Smiles Program Handout #5 Employment Services Menu

2. DOC's 1478003 Employment & Income Support Region of Waterloo

3.  Legislated – Ontario Works Act 1997  Same legislation across the province

4.  Recognizes individual responsibility and promotes self reliance through employment  Provides temporary financial assistance to those most in need while they satisfy obligations to become and stay employed  Effectively serves people needing assistance  Accountable to the Taxpayers of Ontario

5.  Income Support  Employment Support

6.  Apply on-line: http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/ programs/social/apply_online.aspx ◦ phone number for us to call you back  Telephone application 519-883-2100 ◦ Gather information before calling ◦ Call may take an hour ◦ A friend or community agency can help with the call

7. Special Expenses IncomeAssets All Family Members Home Costs Full names Birth dates SIN Health card Status in Canada All income types for all family members Value of all assets for each family member Rent or mortgage Heat, hydro, taxes, home/rental insurance Special Diet Child care costs

8. For everyone in your family verification of:  Birth date, SIN, Health card  Immigration information  All Assets ◦ Bank accounts, investments, Vehicles  All Income  Housing costs ** All adult members of family must attend ** An interpreter will be provided, if needed

9. First appointment:  Complete required forms  Determine eligibility  Refer to worker & community agencies  Issue Payments if all information received Second appointment:  Issue ongoing benefits  Develop an employment plan  Make any necessary referrals Staff Roles

10.  Family receives a set amount of Basic Allowance +  Shelter Allowance/Board and Lodge

11. Maximum Allowable Asset:  $2500 – Singles  $5000 – Couples, no child  $3000 – Sole support, 1 child (+ $500 for each additional dependent

12.  May be exempt ◦ 2 nd vehicle for employment reasons, up to $15,000  Fully exempt ◦ Home ◦ 1 St vehicle ◦ RESP ◦ Locked in pension ◦ Prepaid Funeral

13. For each additional dependant 18 years of age or older add $165 # of Dependants 18 years or older 0 to 17 years Recipient Recipient and Spouse 0 0 0$305$468 1 0 1342468 1 0589616 2 0 2342468 1 1589616 2 0737780

14. Calculating Assistance Shelter Allowance based on: Rent/Mortgage/Board and Lodge Heat Hydro Taxes Condo Fees Insurance

15. Benefit Unit SizeMaximum Monthly Shelter Allowance 1$376 2609 3662 4718 5774 6 or more801

16. Common Reasons for Differences in Entitlement Earnings Child Care Costs Adult children Expenses Medical issues

18. Calculating Assistance Other considerations Income received by all family members Income exemptions your family qualifies for

19.  Deducting income such as: ◦ Earnings ◦ Child support ◦ Rental/Roomer Income ◦ Government income  Employment Insurance  CPP  WSIB

20.  Gifts- Not Child Support Up to $6,000 per family member exempt in 12 month period Includes: Cash Goods/Services Voluntary payments

21.  Gross Earnings ◦ Hours worked X $ per hour  Net Earnings ◦ Subtracting Mandatory deductions  Canada Pension Plan  Employment Insurance  Federal and Provincial Taxes  Union dues  Pensions

22.  After 3 months, $200/month earnings exemption plus 50% exemption per adult  Child care cost if required and verified  Exemptions for Adults attending full-time secondary school

23.  Basic earning exemption 1000net income - 200exemption after 3 months 800 / 2 keep another 50% =400 Deduction – if no child care

24. Based on net business income Same $200/month exempt and 50% after 3 consecutive months on Ontario Works

25.  There are two ways to pay benefits to the Participant ◦ Direct Bank Deposit ◦ Cheque  Pay Directs to vendors are Options

26.  Each month individuals and families may qualify for extra benefits ◦ Drug card ◦ Emergency Dental for Adults ◦ Medical Travel and Transportation

27.  Ontario Works may include extra money for children while waiting for the Child Tax Credit  When the Child Tax Credit is paid, it will be a large payment and will be deducted from the next Ontario Works payment

28.  If someone in a family has a serious sickness Or  Is Pregnant or Breastfeeding Or  Needs special food – they may qualify for additional benefits

29.  Remember... Call if anything changes!  Must continue to meet all eligibility monthly  May need to submit a report every month  Don’t wait to report any changes

30. Intake Appeal Internal Review Committee Appeal must be made in timely way May bring someone with them to appeal Appeal goes ahead, even if they do not show up Social Benefits tribunal

32.  Individuals will meet with a Caseworker who will help each person come up with a plan to reach their employment goals  There may be extra benefits available to help with that plan

33. School OR Attending Workshops OR Volunteering OR Taking Computer Classes School OR Attending Workshops OR Volunteering OR Taking Computer Classes

34.  Clients must attend all appointments  If someone can’t attend an appointment, they must call and explain the reason before the day of the appointment

35.  If something happens and that prevents following through on a agreed upon activities, individual should call the Participation Worker and explain  Proof of the reason may be required

36. If someone stops doing their activity and there is no good reason, they may lose some or all financial assistance.

37.  Full file review every 2 years or sooner as required by the province  Participation review 3-6 months depending on your situation

38.  If someone gets a letter and is not sure what it means.... ◦ Call the Case Worker ◦ Call promptly

40. Youth When determined that they cannot live with their parents, two types of assistance can be considered: 16/17 year olds may be assisted through with payments made to a trustee or Temporary Care assistance may be provided to another adult caring for any child under 18

41. 16/17 Years Old Circumstances exist that prevent 16/17 year old from living at home Accommodations are safe Trustee in place Child required to attend school Supported by specialized workers

42. Temporary Care Benefits are based on number of children provider cares for: Income & assets of each child considered Provides temporary supports for adult caring for a child

43. Learning, Earning, and Parenting  Additional supports for parents under age 26, mandatory for 16 & 17 year old parents  Promotes high school graduation  Supports with moving towards employment  Resources to strengthen parenting skills

44. Examples of supports:  Priority access to child care  Bus pass  Help with back to school items  Parenting support at home or at school  Assist with courses to help child develop and to help parent with parenting skills

45.  Benefits available for people receiving OW  Benefits available for people on ODSP  Some assistance available to people not receiving OW or ODSP through Intake

46. To solve an emergency when there is no Ontario Works eligibility  Each situation in unique  Determined on a case by case basis  Call the Intake Department for more information

47.  Assist in gathering required information  Assist in formulating questions  Attend appointments  Remind client to: ◦ respond to letters ◦ report changes ◦ request benefits