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Benefits update.
7 years ago
General
As I wrote in a previous journal there would be an announcement of what is happening to the ODSP and how it affects me.
You can read here: https://news.ontario.ca/mcys/en/201.....ssistance.html
That road map is set to happen over 18 months. So, I'll be okay for now.
This is barring any "rate" changes or "asset limits" imposed while I execute my plans over the next few months.
I have yet to see how they will handle the new yearly earnings exception (being yearly and not monthly) it has increases from 200 a month plus 50percent monthly earnings to 6000 plus 7% percent yearly earnings.
The commitment to reduce the burdens placed on self-employment also looks promising though. I dont plan on starting a business anytime soon though but i doubt theyll be expecting long-term unemployed "aspies on welfare" to all get paper routes and go door to door selling lawn care services.
an area of concern though is they are aligning the disability with federal guidelines which means if you don't qualify for this: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-ag.....x-credit.html. You will be expected to find a job and work (Ontario works only). It is called the Canada Disability Tax Credit or "CDTC".
Eligibility criteria is listed here: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-ag.....ax-credit.html
As you see unless its really severe those with Aspergers and Mental Illness need not bother to apply. Grandfathering will happen though according to blog sources so people like me who have been living on it since the program began in 1998 will remain on it. Maybe? As I said this is nothing but a designed RATE CUT for these people. Half the time these people
IN an idealized state it looks good, but with 30 percent of all new ODSP cases being ineligible for the "CDTC" its an easy and digestible change to make. It was also expected as very few with mental illness are able to speak out are ignored when it comes to federal politics. about half of ODSP clients not in mental illness or on the Autism Spectrum get the CDTC because it is so focused on developmental disabilities(another legal definition) and physical disabilities. Indefinite workfare for these types of people seems to be the international trend though. I call them 'minor disabilities'.
There is also promises of better employment supports but as someone who spent 7 years on and off looking for a job and being told to "take a break" after every 2 years and 3000 jobs. I'd like to see what happens when doctors sign permanent deferrals that are outside of the CDTC. 60% of those on welfare over 5 years have minor disabilities and chronic issues not severe enough for ODSP now, let alone under the CDTC. They will have larger welfare ranks now.
Very very few supports exist for those ineligible for OSAP/student loans and very few of the employment services out there really work. They can hem and haw about new supports for employment but really all the money in the world cant make you employable. Resumes and interview skills are just not enough for some people. And after living off food banks and 700 a month with little help for 7 years you become disabled by the very nature of it. Under the AODA
AODA the government has to accomodate for those with doctor-defined minor disabilities, not just the ones eligible for a federal tax credit. So something will give.
I've always said federally, they need to accomodate mental illness more into the CDTC; or the government should leave the ODSP alone. But alas all the talking in the world cant change political ideology.
Once the new criteria is established in legislation there will be alot of federal appeals for people with mental illness. I hope the government of Ontario seriously reconsiders re-defining disability for the ODSP.
You can read here: https://news.ontario.ca/mcys/en/201.....ssistance.html
That road map is set to happen over 18 months. So, I'll be okay for now.
This is barring any "rate" changes or "asset limits" imposed while I execute my plans over the next few months.
I have yet to see how they will handle the new yearly earnings exception (being yearly and not monthly) it has increases from 200 a month plus 50percent monthly earnings to 6000 plus 7% percent yearly earnings.
The commitment to reduce the burdens placed on self-employment also looks promising though. I dont plan on starting a business anytime soon though but i doubt theyll be expecting long-term unemployed "aspies on welfare" to all get paper routes and go door to door selling lawn care services.
an area of concern though is they are aligning the disability with federal guidelines which means if you don't qualify for this: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-ag.....x-credit.html. You will be expected to find a job and work (Ontario works only). It is called the Canada Disability Tax Credit or "CDTC".
Eligibility criteria is listed here: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-ag.....ax-credit.html
As you see unless its really severe those with Aspergers and Mental Illness need not bother to apply. Grandfathering will happen though according to blog sources so people like me who have been living on it since the program began in 1998 will remain on it. Maybe? As I said this is nothing but a designed RATE CUT for these people. Half the time these people
IN an idealized state it looks good, but with 30 percent of all new ODSP cases being ineligible for the "CDTC" its an easy and digestible change to make. It was also expected as very few with mental illness are able to speak out are ignored when it comes to federal politics. about half of ODSP clients not in mental illness or on the Autism Spectrum get the CDTC because it is so focused on developmental disabilities(another legal definition) and physical disabilities. Indefinite workfare for these types of people seems to be the international trend though. I call them 'minor disabilities'.
There is also promises of better employment supports but as someone who spent 7 years on and off looking for a job and being told to "take a break" after every 2 years and 3000 jobs. I'd like to see what happens when doctors sign permanent deferrals that are outside of the CDTC. 60% of those on welfare over 5 years have minor disabilities and chronic issues not severe enough for ODSP now, let alone under the CDTC. They will have larger welfare ranks now.
Very very few supports exist for those ineligible for OSAP/student loans and very few of the employment services out there really work. They can hem and haw about new supports for employment but really all the money in the world cant make you employable. Resumes and interview skills are just not enough for some people. And after living off food banks and 700 a month with little help for 7 years you become disabled by the very nature of it. Under the AODA
AODA the government has to accomodate for those with doctor-defined minor disabilities, not just the ones eligible for a federal tax credit. So something will give.
I've always said federally, they need to accomodate mental illness more into the CDTC; or the government should leave the ODSP alone. But alas all the talking in the world cant change political ideology.
Once the new criteria is established in legislation there will be alot of federal appeals for people with mental illness. I hope the government of Ontario seriously reconsiders re-defining disability for the ODSP.
If you still are on ODSP then it could be as simple as a change to your costs or it could be something else. I don't really know =/