ODSP_News

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discussed may differ substantially in individual situations. You should get legal advice for your particular situation.

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PARENTS
File your 2007 Income Tax return(s) by April 30, 2008, to qualify for the new Ontario Child Benefit.
The new monthly Ontario Child Benefit “OCB” starts in July 2008.

To be eligible for the OCB of up to $50 per child per month you must:

have dependent child/children under age 18
live in Ontario
have immigration status in Canada
file your annual income tax returns
be registered for the Canada Child Tax Benefit, and
meet the low-income eligibility

If you receive ODSP/OW

your ODSP/OW benefit rate will be reduced to reflect the new OCB income in July 2008.
the Back-to-School and Winter Clothing Allowances will be part of the monthly OCB.

For more information about the Ontario Child Benefit contact the Ministry of Children and Youth
Services at:
1-866-821-7770 or TTY 1-800-387-5559
You can also read the Income Security Advocacy Centre's alert.

Additional information about the Ontario Child Benefit and Social Assistance Rate Restructuring is
available on ISAC's website.

ODSP/OW - Clothing Allowances
Starting in July 2008, the Back-to-School and Winter Clothing allowances for families on OW
and ODSP are going to be rolled into the new, monthly Ontario Child Benefit payment.

Families will continue to receive the funds, but they will be spread out over the whole year in
small, monthly amounts instead of coming all at once in August and November.

Click here to find out more about this change and to find out what you can do to tell the
provincial government to reverse this decision.

ODSP - Rate Increase
Starting in November 2007, the maximum monthly (ODSP) rates will increase by 2% for the
following:

		Basic needs allowance for renters and owners.
		Maximum shelter allowance for renters and owners.
		Board and lodging rates.
		Northern Allowance for recipients living north of the 50th parallel without year-round road
		access.
		Personal Needs Allowances and monthly amounts for recipients in specified institutions and
		interval and transition homes for abused women
		Guide Dog Benefit.

If you receive the Back to School and Winter Clothing Allowances on behalf of a child under the age of 18, your July and October 2007 benefit cheques included a 2% increase to these allowances.

If you have any questions, please call the provincial client services unit at:

Toll-free: 1 888-789-4199
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 800-387-5559

or contact the Windsor ODSP office at

270 Erie Street East
Windsor Ontario
Tel: (519) 254-1651
Toll Free: 1-800-387-7327

ODSP - Changes to Your Reporting Responsibilities
As of September 2007 the government has changed when and how you report earnings and
changes to your personal situation. Click here for the details.