This paper focuses on proposed system transformation in Ontario Works, and explores the possibilities and limitations associated with the proposed changes in 2018. First, it looks at the broader context within which the government’s social assistance reforms are taking place. Second, it provides...
This resource provides a directory of community legal clinics in Ontario. Community legal clinics provide information, advice, and representation on various legal issues, including social assistance, housing, refugee and immigration law, employment law, human rights, workers' compensation,...
These reports look at the total incomes available to those relying on social assistance (often called “welfare”), taking into account tax credits and other benefits along with social assistance itself. The reports look at four different household types for each province and territory....
Across Canada, homelessness has always existed but with the creation of statistical reporting across the country the awareness of the pressure this puts on Canadian society is more apparent. The statistics on homelessness are staggering and understanding the path to homelessness, included by those...
This brief discusses the savings penalties in public assistance programs in the United States, also known as asset limits, and that actions that can be taken to eliminate these limits and the barriers towards building savings for families living on low...
This infographic from Statistics Canada shows the median after-tax income of households, by province, as of 2016. It also shows changes in median government transfers, and number of people living on low incomes according to the after-tax low income...
This is a presentation explaining the ODSP support program for people living with disabilities. Exact publication date is...
In recent years, many states and some local governments implemented or expanded their own, supplemental Earned Income Tax Credit (EITCs). The expansion of state EITCs may have stemmed in large part from wanting to provide a more generous program than the federal program, because state EITCs...
The disability income system is an agglomeration of disparate programs that were designed for distinct purposes. That reality would not actually be a bad thing if at least all the pieces worked well together. A new Basic Income for persons with disabilities would enable the reform of both the...
This brief examines the financial challenges confronting low-income older adults, with a focus on housing costs. It estimates the share of adults who have inadequate income, reports their income sources, and describes their spending patterns. Data come from the American Community Survey and the...
Deciding which financial capability services to provide clients begins with understanding how clients currently manage their financial lives. Tool 1 in Building Financial Capability: A Planning Guide for Integrated Services (http://1.usa.gov/1FxrLnE) helps you analyze clients’ current financial...
While the recession may technically draw to a close in the third quarter, its reverberations will be felt for some time. Most notably, recovery will be sluggish relative to that in the wake of past recessions. Unemployment will continue to rise into 2010 as re-hiring proceeds slowly and more...
Good public policy matters and has been effective in reducing child poverty. Indeed, without government transfers over 2 million children would live in poverty. However, to date, policy inputs against poverty have been small and poverty reduction too limited. History has shown us that no one-off...
This report was conducted by the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy (MCHP) at the request of the Healthy Child Committee of Cabinet (HCCC) and Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living (MHSAL). It presents valuable current and cross-departmental information to inform the continued development,...
There has been a resurgence of political interest in Canada in the rather old idea of a universal basic income, sometimes called a guaranteed annual income. Essentially, a basic income is a “no strings attached” transfer from government to individuals or families that can be simpler to...
This is a report on child poverty in British Columbia and connections to the working poor, employment insecurity, living on low incomes, and gives policy recommendations to respond to this...
In its 2016 budget, the Government of Ontario committed to conducting a basic income pilot project as part of its preparations for comprehensive reform of its social assistance programs. Taking particular note of “today’s dynamic labour market” and a need to “strengthen the attachment to...
Recent point-in-time homeless counts in Metro Vancouver and City of Vancouver indicate a growing number of people experiencing homelessness in our community. Despite government investments in social housing and rent supplements, more people are homeless in Metro Vancouver than ever before....
In the spirit of social justice, the Commission on Social Determinants of Health was set up by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2005 to marshal the evidence on what can be done to promote health equity, and to foster a global movement to achieve it. The Commission calls on the WHO and all...
A considerable momentum has developed around the perceived need for a national affordable housing strategy. The design of any such strategy should recognize who is in need, the size of the need, and where that need is greatest. This report presents facts on the affordability of housing for those...
This article explores benefits screening, a system of auditing patients to identify those living in poverty and the benefits they may be eligible for, as an innovative step towards realizing the right to health in Canada by advancing health equity. In particular, it assesses one online tool...
This is a short guide by the FCAC on how to cash a government of Canada cheque for free. Under Canadian law, you have the right to cash your Government of Canada cheque for free. You can cash a Government of Canada cheque for free at any bank, even if you are not a...
Lisez la présente brochure pour connaître les règles que les agents d’Ontario au travail (OT) et du Programme ontarien de soutien aux personnes handicapées (POSPH) appliquent pour décider: si 2 adultes qui habitent ensemble sont des conjoints ou conjointes si 2 personnes qui habitent...
La brochure vous concerne-t-elle ? En lisant la présente brochure, vous apprendrez quels sont vos recours si vous considérez qu’une décision sur l’aide d’Ontario au travail (OT) ou du Programme ontarien de soutien aux personnes handicapées (POSPH) est mal fondée. Les décisions...
If you are under 65 and cannot work because you have a physical or mental disability, you may be able to get disability benefits from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is a benefits plan for workers. Workers who pay into the plan might get a retirement pension when they...