WELCOME ONTARIO WORKS

Transcription

1 WELCOME

2 Pembroke 141 Lake Street Pembroke, ON K8A 5L or Renfrew 450 O Brien Rd., Suite 104 Renfrew, ON K7V 3Z or Killaloe 1 John Street Killaloe, ON K0J 2A Arnprior 80 McGonigal St. W., Suite 110 Arnprior, ON K7S 1M or

3 Eligibility Review Emergency Assistance Emergency Social Services Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) Intake Screening Services Ontario Energy Board Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) Employment Placements Case Management Community Placements Family Support Program Vision Program Dental Program Employment Outcome Measures New Opportunities Waiting Program (NOW) Employment Supports Ontario Works Programs Social Benefits Tribunal Indigent Funeral Program Transitional Child Benefit Ontario Child Benefit Extended Employment Health Benefit (EEHB) Extended Health Benefit (EHB) Enhanced Verification Process Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) Circle of Services

4 Application Process Intake: Information about the applicant s income, assets, and living arrangements is collected. Should the applicant wish to continue with the application process, the person is scheduled for a Verification Interview. Verification Interview: The applicant is greeted and provides his/her documents (ie: ID, bank statement, etc ). The applicant is asked to watch a video about Ontario Works services while the Ontario Works Agent prepares for the interview and reviews all documents. Eligibility Decision: Once the Verification Interview is completed and all necessary documents are provided, the applicant is advised if s/he qualifies for Ontario Works and referred to other agencies as necessary.

5 Application Intake Applicants can apply online at 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Telephone Applications are available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Applicants are to call the office nearest them. Applicants can also visit the Pembroke, Renfrew or Arnprior office where a Customer Service Representative will assist with the online application process.

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7 Emergency Assistance Enables immediate provision of financial assistance to an applicant in a crisis or emergency situation The provision of financial assistance may include an amount for basic needs, shelter and benefits May be provided where the applicant is not currently in receipt of social assistance May be provided for a period of not more than sixteen days; however, more than one payment may be issued within the sixteen day period

8 Employment Supports/Services Literacy training Returning to school for upgrading How to conduct an effective job search Self presentation skills; interview assistance Job-specific skills training Life skills training Access to onsite computer labs

9 Community Placements Placements can be sponsored by community groups, municipal governments, Ontario government agencies, and non or not-for-profit organizations. Clients have the opportunity to: refresh skills, gain valuable work experience, network, as well as add a current reference to their resume.

10 Employment Placements Designed to assist participants secure paid employment Staff assist employers by providing hiring assistance (matching participants to their skills set ensuring a best fit ) Provide ongoing human resources support for the duration of the placement Employers receive a financial incentive to help offset training costs

11 NOW NEW OPPORTUNITIES WAITING The aim of the NOW program is to provide a strategy to improve employment outcomes for ODSP non-disabled spouses and dependent adults. This service helps social assistance recipients prepare for, find and keep a job, and remove barriers to employment.

12 Employment Participation Benefits In addition to monthly assistance (Basic Needs and Shelter), Employment Benefits may be provided to assist with expenses associated with employment activities. Approved expenses (not exhaustive): - gas - clothing - child care - certification fees

13 DENTAL PROGRAM In January 2011 the County of Renfrew, Ontario Works Division outsourced the administration of the dental program to AccertaClaim Servicorp Inc. Accerta uses the MCSS Schedule of Dental and Hygienist Services and Fees to process all dental claims. Children up to the age of 17 qualify for mandatory dental services. Adult emergency dental coverage is provided to recipients in need of care. A monthly dental card is provided to all Benefit Units.

14 VISION PROGRAM Basic vision care is provided to all Ontario Works recipients. A prescription and an estimate are required for approval. The program covers eyeglasses; repairs or replacement of lenses and frames Contact lenses are not covered under this program. Covers $150/year per Ontario Works recipients

15 Extended Employment Health Benefits Extended Employment Health Benefits (EEHB) are for clients who have obtained employment and who do not have medical coverage with their new employer. Clients may be provided health benefits for a transitional period of up to 6 months or until the employer offers benefits, whichever comes first. Clients who have been on Ontario Works for at least one month and who have started a full-time job or have increased their earnings and are ineligible for Ontario Works, may be eligible for the EEHB.

16 Extended Employment Health Benefits continued... Extended Employment Health Benefits are provided to clients who have high prescription drug or other health related costs but are no longer eligible for Ontario Works assistance due to earnings from employment or other sources (CPP, Old Age Security, Employment Insurance) Clients must have been in receipt of assistance in the month immediately before the month in which they became eligible for this benefit. Persons who do not qualify for the Ontario Drug Benefit Eligibility Card are provided with information on how to apply for the Ontario Trillium Drug Benefit.

17 TRANSITION CHILD BENEFIT The Transition Child Benefit is for families on Social Assistance who may not be receiving the Ontario Child Benefits or may be receiving less than their maximum Ontario Child Benefit.

18 Family Support Program A participant will be required to pursue child or spousal support if it is available to them. There is an Ontario Works Agent on staff who can assist with: 1. Support issues 2. Court proceedings 3. Private agreements 4. Family responsibility issues 5. Any other support related issues

19 Indigent Funeral Program People that are eligible for funeral assistance include: OW and ODSP participants as well as persons not in receipt of Social Assistance, but who would have been eligible for the Ontario Works Program at the time of death. The Ontario Works office will pay the following rates for eligible funeral costs: Adults over 14 years $4, maximum Child up to 14 years $ maximum Child up to one year $ maximum Stillborn or newborn $ maximum

20 Homelessness Prevention Program The Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) supports the prevention of homelessness, and is available to all low-income households in the County of Renfrew. Funded by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Ontario Energy Board Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) and delivered by the County of Renfrew Through the administration of Renfrew County Housing Corporation, Ontario Works delivers the Homelessness Prevention Program for County of Renfrew residents

21 Homelessness Prevention Program Point of access: contact your local Ontario Works office Eligibility is based on the Statistics Canada Low-Income Cut-Off chart, as well as the applicant s ability to financially maintain their housing. Assistance can be provided for: the prevention of a utility disconnection, rental arrears, last month s rent, heating expenses, appliances (fridge/stove), and moving costs.

22 Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) LEAP was developed by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) and is a grant program intended to provide emergency relief to eligible lowincome customers who are experiencing difficulty paying current utility arrears. Monies are applied to outstanding utility bills payments. The Program is not intended for security deposit payments or to provide regular or ongoing bill payment assistance.

23 LEAP Eligibility Criteria Applicant must be a resident of the County of Renfrew and an electricity or natural gas customer Person must reside at address for which there are arrears and gross income falls at or below Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) chart (plus 15%)

24 Enhanced Verification Process Audits are completed based on data from a risk based assessment. Information from Canada Revenue Agency and Equifax is used to identify cases requiring review. Cases are ranked for review on a monthly basis. Outcomes may result in a change in eligibility.

25 Implementation of Social Assistance Management System On November 11, 2014 the Ministry of Community and Social Services implemented a new computer system to better deliver social assistance across Ontario. SAMS provides greater flexibility to respond to policy and program priorities, and better supports customer service excellence. A key feature of the technology will be a secure online self-service portal for social assistance recipients called Social Assistance (SA) Online that is scheduled to roll out in February of 2015.

26 Implementation of Social Assistance Management System Social Assistance Online, a secure website, will allow recipients to: report income and changes online (e.g.: change of address, housing expenses, add/remove household members, and report income and expenses); view upcoming events online (e.g.: appointment with caseworker or a recipient s next payment date); and choose if they want to receive letters from caseworkers online. The focus, once fully implemented, is improved client service.

27 Implementation of Social Assistance Management System Since the implementation of the Social Assistance Management System, the Province continues to work with municipalities in supporting us through the transition from the old software system to SAMS. Staff are working diligently to ensure the best possible client service they can provide.

28 Outcome Measures The Ministry of Community & Social Services and Ontario Works delivery agents share a common goal - improving outcomes for people relying on social assistance. For Ontario Works Employment Assistance, this means providing effective, integrated supports to help people prepare for, find and keep jobs. One way to improve the employmentrelated outcomes of Ontario Works participants is to directly link employment assistance planning and funding to employment outcomes. This outcome-based approach is geared to achieving savings in financial assistance by helping Ontario Works participants earn some income, earn more income, get off and stay off assistance.

29 There are two core employment outcomes that guide the overall planning, delivery and funding for Ontario Works Employment Assistance: Employment Helping people find and keep jobs Earnings Improving the quality of jobs people get is one way to increase the earnings of people and make it more possible for them to become financially independent

30 Employment Ontario Partners Ontario Works and Employment Ontario partners have established a referral and communication protocol between parties to enhance the provision of employment assistance for Ontario Works participants. The intended goal is to ensure that both parties work collaboratively in supporting the employment goals of mutual clients who voluntarily accept a referral to Employment Ontario partners.

31 Employment Ontario Partners Employment Assistance is defined as but is not limited to: Employment consulting to assist the participant with establishing an action plan to start or return to employment Résumé and cover letter assistance Job searching assistance (job postings, workshops, guidance) Certification training such as WHMIS, Fall Protection Awareness, Young Employee Safety, where necessary

32 Employment Ontario Partners Employment Assistance Continued... Guidance and support with determining suitability and application completion for government training programs such as Second Career, Skills Link and Targeted Initiative for Older Workers Assistance applying to college and university Referrals to other community and educational organizations

33 Employment Ontario Partners Partners: Algonquin College Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre Employment Networks ontrac Employment Resources Services Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre Tyerman & Daugthers Inc., Rural Outreach Employment Services

34 List of Acronyms Acronym Meaning Acronym Meaning ACSD Assistance for Children with Community Homelessness CHPI Severe Disabilities Prevention Initiative CISM Critical Incident Stress Consolidated Municipal Service CMSM Management Manager CPAN Child Poverty Action Network CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation CSR Customer Service Representative DARG ECE Enhanced Collection Effort EEHB Director-Administrator Reference Group Employment Extended Health Benefit EHB Extended Health Benefit ERO Eligibility Review Office EVP Eligibility Verification Process FLS French Language Service FRO Family Response Office FSW Family Support Worker HPP Homelessness Prevention Program HSC IVR Interactive Voice Response JLMC LEAP Learning Earning and Parenting Program LEAP Human Services Cluster Joint Labour/Management Committee Low-Income Energy Assistance Program

35 List of Acronyms Continued Acronym Meaning Acronym Meaning MCSS Ministry of Community & Social Services MMAH Ministry of Municipal Affairs And Housing MOU Memorandum of Understanding MTO Ministry of Transportation NCB National Child Benefit NCBS National Child Benefit Supplement NOW New Opportunities Waiting OASA Online Application for Social Assistance OCB Ontario Child Benefit ODSP Ontario Disability Support Program OMSSA Ontario Municipal Social Services Association OSAP Ontario Student Assistance Program OW Ontario Works OWA Ontario Works Agent PA Participation Agreement PMFRC Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre PMP SAIL Performance Management Program Supportive Approaches to Innovative Learning RCCAW SAMS Renfrew County Committee for Abused Women Social Assistance Management System

36 List of Acronyms Acronym Meaning Acronym Meaning SDMT Service Delivery Model Technology SSSMP Social Services Solutions Modernization Project TCA Temporary Care Assistance TCB Transitional Child Benefit TOMRMS The Ontario Municipal Records Management System

37 Questions