ABOUT ISAC

The Income Security Advocacy Centre works with and on behalf of low income communities in Ontario to address issues of income security and poverty.

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WHAT'S NEW

• People on OW and ODSP who have pre-diabetes are eligible for the Special Diet Allowance. Read our fact sheet here.

  La version française est disponible ici.
• Read ISAC's reaction to the government's budget announcement that social assistance rates will be frozen for one year.
• A recent court decision means that an adult on ODSP whose parent receives child support from the other parent should not have the money automatically deducted from their ODSP benefits, and/or will now be eligible for ODSP. Read our fact sheet about the decision and how it might affect you.

• The way that three provincial tax credits are being paid to people with low-incomes is changing. This means these credits are no longer being paid in lump-sum tax refunds. Click here for more information about how and why payment of tax credits is changing, and on avoiding getting into bad contracts with tax filing companies.

• The 2011-12 provincial budget increased OW and ODSP rates by 1%. Our new rate sheet shows the new basic needs and maximum shelter amounts for selected family sizes and types. These new amounts go into effect in November and December 2011.

• For the latest on Ontario's review of social assistance programs, see our Social Assistance Review website.

• Bringing In Women's Voices! Are you a woman in Ontario struggling to make ends meet? Are you a mother raising kids on your own? Learn more about our project working with low-income moms across the province. And check out our Facebook page!

• If you are currently getting Special Diet and are confused about the changes and the new application process, please read these information sheets:
  • Special Diet Allowance: What You Should Know
  • Special Diet Allowance: Why The Program Is Changing
  • Use this Information Sheet for Health Care Providers to talk with your doctor about the changes to the Special Diet program. Word here or PDF here
• The Federal Tax Court has made some recent rulings relating to the Child Tax Benefit in situations of joint custody, custody by someone other than a parent, and spousal separation. For an overview of recent jurisprudence, see ISAC’s April 2011 paper :
  • Child Tax Benefits - Update on Objections and Appeals - April 2011
• For an update on the procedure for applying for the Child Tax Benefit or appealing a decision to deny or reduce your Child Tax Benefit, see ISAC’s powerpoint presentation prepared for the Northern Regional Training Conference in April 2011:
  • Child Tax Benefits - Topical Issues and Professional Obligations - April 2011
• Read ISAC's Comment on the 2011 Ontario Budget
  • Read ISAC's submission on the 2011 Budget in Word here or in PDF here
• The Ontario government’s announcements of Nov 30 on the social assistance review and special diet allowance program are both welcome steps forward on the road to improved income security for Ontarians. Click here to see ISAC's press release on the government's announcements.

• Short-term rule changes to OW and ODSP could make life better for people receiving support. The Social Assistance Review Advisory Council recommended 14 changes to government in February. Some have been made, but many are yet to be implemented. See the full list of recommendations in PDF here or in Word here.

• People with addictions can qualify for ODSP after a recent court decision. Click this link for more information.

Quick Links

• ISAC has been very involved in advocating for a Poverty Reduction Strategy for Ontario, and in helping communities get involved. Click here to read more about poverty reduction in Ontario.

• ISAC and Ontario Campaign 2000 have completed the Ending Poverty Project, working with low-income people in nine communities across Ontario. Get more information about the Ending Poverty Project here.

• The Disability Adjudication Unit has recently started doing medical reviews of people on ODSP. Click this link for more information.

• In July 2008, the Ontario Child Benefit started being paid monthly. Click here to read more about the Ontario Child Benefit.

• Click here for current OW and ODSP rates (this link will open as a Word document). And click on Resources for more fact sheets and other important sources of information.

• ISAC UPDATE has the latest news on a whole variety of income security issues that ISAC is working on. Click here to see all editions.

This site also features materials from CLEONet, an online clearinghouse for legal resources, news, and events produced by community organizations and legal clinics across Ontario.