sOCIAL ASSISTANCE AND PENSIONS UPDATE

*This page was updated September 28 2021

The Headlines:
The Federal government has implemented some measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Three new benefit programs have been implemented effective September 27th, 2020 and are planned to operate until October 23, 2021: the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), the Canada Sickness Recovery Benefit (CRSB), and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB).
• Employment Insurance (EI) rules have temporarily changed during Covid-19 pandemic

The Ontario government has announced changes to the administration of social assistance in response to COVID-19:

• OW and ODSP clients can access travel money to access Covid-19 vaccines.
• Expiry dates on special diet allowance, pregnancy-breastfeeding nutritional allowance and medical special necessities benefits, and pay direct arrangements, are being automatically extended.
• Current social assistance recipients can access expanded discretionary benefits.
• Clients who are facing a Disability Determination Package (DDP) or Medical Review Package (MRP) deadline and can’t get appointments to see their health care providers should call the DAU to request an extension at 1-888-256-6758.

The Details:

Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Up-to-date information about OW and Covid-19 can be found here:

• https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/ow/ow-covid-fact-swww.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/ow/ow-covid-fact-sheets.aspxheets.aspx

Up-to-date information about ODSP and Covid-19 can be found here:

• https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/odsp-covid-fact-sheets.aspx 

Emergency Assistance for new OW or ODSP applicants: 
Ontario has expanded access to existing Emergency Assistance under the current provisions of Ontario Works. Applications for Ontario Works financial assistance can be made online at www.ontario.ca/page/apply-emergency-assistance and by phone at 416-338-8888 or 1-888-465-4478 (toll free).

This program is available to people with limited income, assets or credit who are in a crisis or an emergency situation and are not currently on OW or ODSP. 

Covid-19 Benefits for current OW and ODSP recipients:   
OW and ODSP recipients can get transportation money to get a Covid-19 vaccine. They may also be eligible for supplementary payments to cover extraordinary Covid-19 related costs. 

Special Diet Allowance (SDA), and Mandatory Special Necessities (MSN) benefits
OW and ODSP whose SDA, MSN, and some other benefits are expiring will have their benefits automatically extended without needing to send a new form. 

Recipients applying for new benefits should contact their worker.

Other ODSP and OW service changes:
The OW offices at Metro Hall, York Humber, and Scarborough Village are open for clients without telephone/internet access on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30am-5pm, and on Tuesdays from 8:30am-6pm. ODSP physical offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:30am-5pm for people with scheduled appointments.

Toronto Employment and Social Services (TESS) is currently issuing new applications for OW recipients to access ODSP by sending the applications directly to the applicant’s doctor. 

Clients must report their income monthly to avoid having their file suspended. They may use the MyBenefits online service, mail, or fax. They can also call the office, and if they don’t reach their caseworker they can leave a voice message with their member ID or name and date of birth. Clients should not bring income reports to the office.
Clients should not be required to provide original documents or wet signatures at this time, but are to be notified that the documents will need to be provided at a later date.

Employment Insurance (EI) Changes and Three New Post-CERB benefits
With the end of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) October 3 2020, the Federal government has created three new benefits effective. The three new benefits are:

• The Canada Response Benefit (CRB), which provides either $600 or $1000 depending on when one applied every two weeks for self-employed individuals needing income support, or to workers who are not or are no longer eligible for Employment Insurance (EI). Recipients need to apply every two weeks for up to 54 weeks from September 27, 2021 until October 23, 2021.
• The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), which provides $500 per week for up to four weeks for workers who cannot work because they are sick or must self-isolate for reasons related to COVID-19. This benefit will run until October 23, 2021.
• The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB), which provides $500 per week, for up to 42 weeks per household to eligible workers who cannot work because they must provide care to children or family members due to the closure of schools, day cares, or care facilities. This benefit will run until October 23, 2021.
• Details for these programs can be found at: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-benefit.html 

 
The eligibility criteria for Employment Insurance (EI)  until September 24, 2022 are:

• were employed in insurable employment for at least 420 insurable hours in the qualifying period (between  past 52 weeks
  

The qualifying period is the shorter of:

• the 52-week period immediately before the start date of your claim. or
• the period from the start of a previous benefit period to the start of your new benefit period, if you applied for benefits earlier and your application was approved in the last 52 weeks
  

Exception: In some cases, the qualifying period may be extended to a maximum of 104 weeks if you weren’t employed in insurable employment or if you weren’t receiving EI benefits, and:

• stopped working through no fault of your own
• have been without work and without pay for at least 7 consecutive days in the last 52 weeks
• have not quit your job voluntarily
• are ready, willing and capable of working each day 
• are actively looking for work (you must keep a written record of employers you contact, including when you contacted them).

After September 24, 2022 the number of hours worked is expected to change to 420 to 700 hours depending on the regional unemployment rate. Details can be found here: EI Regular Benefits - Do you qualify - Canada.ca

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) Has Ended But Legal Problems May Still Arise. 
While the CERB benefit has ended, recipients of the CERB may still face legal problems, including but not limited to overpayments with the Canada Revenue Agency due alleged CERB ineligibility, overpayments and files being put on hold or closed with OW or ODSP due to clients’ failure to report CERB income or OW and ODSP’s failure to properly record reported CERB income, and issues with Rent Geared to Income housing providers. There may be issues with people’s OAS or GIS. If you are facing any of these issues contact your local legal clinic for help.

People who have received CERB may be denied access to GIS and GAINS pension supplements. They should seek immediate legal assistance as there is there is a 90 day limitation period for challenging this via a Request for Reconsideration