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

DOC's Employment & Income Support Region of Waterloo

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

 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

 Income Support  Employment Support

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

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

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

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

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

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

 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

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$305$

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

Benefit Unit SizeMaximum Monthly Shelter Allowance 1$ or more801

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

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

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

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

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

 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

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

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

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

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

 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

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

 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

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

 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

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

 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

 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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