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Ontario Works Update. For the Board of Directors May 14, 2008 Bob Barraclough, Director Operations & Client Services. Ontario Works Program Mandate. The Ontario Works Program provides income and employment assistance for people who are in temporary financial need.
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Ontario Works Update For the Board of Directors May 14, 2008 Bob Barraclough, Director Operations & Client Services
Ontario Works Program Mandate • The Ontario Works Program provides income and employment assistance for people who are in temporary financial need. • To be eligible for Ontario Works, an applicant must be: • a resident of Ontario; • in immediate financial need; and • willing to participate in employment assistance activities.
The amount of money that someone receives from Ontario Works varies depending upon housing costs and family size. • Clients may also be eligible for drug and dental coverage, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and community and employment start-up benefits.
All recipients of Ontario Works are required to participate in one or more employment assistance activities as a condition of eligibility for financial assistance. This helps people move as quickly as possible to a job and to become self-reliant. • Participation requirements may be deferred temporarily under certain conditions.
Ontario Works provides practical help in finding a job, including: • Resources for searching and applying for jobs • Support for basic education and upgrading • Support for Job skills training • Literacy Screening • Employment Placement (paid placements) • Community Participation (unpaid placements) • Learning, Earning & Parenting (LEAP) • Help with work-related expenses • Earnings exemptions
Ontario Works includes components that ensure that taxpayers’ dollars are being spent according to the rules of the program: • Consolidated Verification (confirms clients’ eligibility for financial benefits) • Family Support (assists clients to obtain support payments that are available to them) • Eligibility Review (calculates and supports the collection of overpayments, and investigates allegations of fraud)
Implementation of theONTARIO CHILD BENEFIT • The Ontario Child Benefit is part of Ontario’s plan to expand opportunity for low-income families. • In July 2007, eligible families received a one-time down payment of up to $250 for each dependent child under 18. Beginning in July 2008, the Ontario Child Benefit will be delivered to eligible families each month. • In July 2008, about 460,000 families will receive a monthly Ontario Child Benefit payment of up to $600 per child annually. When the program is fully implemented in 2011, more than 600,000 low-income families will receive up to $1,100 per child annually.
Employment Readiness Scale Reports Who are our clients? Total # of clients who have taken assessment 568 Age Distribution 18 & under 6% 19 - 24 23% 25 - 29 17% 30 - 45 37% 46 - 65 17% Over 65 0% Equity Group Distribution Aboriginal people 14% Persons with disabilities 12% Visible minorities 5% Women 38%
Other Reports Available through ERS • What are the dominant strengths and needs of clients? • What are the dominant challenges clients face? • What changes have clients experienced as a result of our interventions? • Which clients are employed? • How effective are our interventions? • What follow-up is required? • Which clients are not yet self sufficient?