| Ontario Works | Effective Date: November 1, 2018 |
| Topic:Local Programs | Replaces: August 1, 2018 |
| Subject: Our Kids Count | Policy No. H.10.5. |
The Our Kids Count program is a Social Assistance Reinvestment program that assists all low-income families by:
The underlying premise is that in the long term, child poverty will be reduced if parents on social assistance enter the workforce and remain in it.
The strategy of the Social Assistance Reinvestment is to reduce child poverty by providing income supplements and other assistance outside of social assistance so that families can keep those supports as they move into jobs.
The program is comprised of three separate components:
Eligibility for these benefits will be based on the most recent Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for the appropriate family size based on Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut Offs After Tax Table.
Families in receipt of OW and/or ODSP will automatically qualify under the assumption that there is no additional income. Should the Household have additional income, then the LICO chart will be used to determine the net family income.
Recreation Bursaries -The Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB will cover a portion of the registration fee for children in low-income families residing within the DSB’s catchment area to participate in recreational or summer/after school programs – organized sports like soccer, baseball, skating, etc.
Other programs such as music lessons, swimming lessons, camp fees, school trips, and equipment for sports (i.e. skates, etc.) scouts’/girl guides uniforms / trips can also be covered.
Age Group: Available for children aged 0 – 12.
Exceptions will be made for children aged 12 – 17. Case Managers may want to consider programs for this age group which may lead to future employment for the teenager like babysitting courses, swimming levels, teaching certificate programs etc. that are not currently covered through OW.
Health Supplement - The Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB will assist families with the cost of items related to a child's health and safety. It could include child safety crib, layetts, strollers, car seats, emergency formula and diapers, etc.
Age Group: This benefit is directed towards younger chiildren 0 to 6; however, exceptions can be made for extenuating circumstances.
A maximum of $300 per child/year is available for children ages 0 to 12. Exceptions will be made for bursaries over this amount and for bursaries for children aged 12 – 17.
To determine eligibility:
After Tax Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO), 2020
| Family Size | Income |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $16,515 |
| 2 persons | $20,101 |
| 3 persons | $25,029 |
| 4 persons | $31,226 |
| 5 persons | $35,558 |
| 6 persons | $39,435 |
| 7+ persons | $43,312 |
Reference:
www.statcan.gc.ca – Search for ‘Low income cut-offs’
Applicants may complete the Our Kids Count self-application or meet with a Case Manager to complete the Our Kids Count application. If the applicant is an Ontario Works or ODSP recipient (SAR- social assistance recipient), they are not required to sign the application. If the applicant is ‘low income’ (Non-SAR), they are required to sign the application.
Verify the cost of the request. If applicant has prepaid ensure a copy of the receipt is attached, the receipt must be dated within 30 days of the client’s application. Verification can include a copy of the registration papers, newspaper clipping, etc.
Bursary cheques will be made payable to the vendor where feasible, unless the client has prepaid and can produce a valid receipt.
Please scan the request into the electronic filing system in the Non-Shareable Program Folder (NSP) and follow the Workflow Job Aide .
In ALL cases where there is an existing file in the Social Assistance Management System all notes and payments will be issued from the database. Staff will ensure the client is contacted via email or telephone and the approved amount is confirmed with the client.
To support parents as they move from social assistance to employment in areas where licensed childcare is not available, the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB has created informal childcare subsidies.
The applicants must qualify for subsidy as per the DSB’s fee subsidy eligibility assessment; and be living in areas that do not currently support licensed programs nor can they access licensed programs in adjacent communities. Areas such as: Sudbury East, Gogama, and Foleyet would qualify. Some remote areas within the DSB’s other catchment areas may also qualify, please discuss these gaps in licensed service with the Children’s Program Supervisor.
The following chart provides the maximum dollars available for informal childcare:
| Number of Children | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 or more | ||
|
Hourly Maximum (up to 2 hours) |
$5.00 | $7.00 | $9.00 | |
|
Half Day Maximum (2-6 hours) |
0-5 years 6-12 years |
$15.00 $15.00 |
$21.00 | $27.00 |
|
Full Day Maximum (6 hours or more) |
0-5 years 6-12 years |
$30.00 $30.00 |
$42.00 | $54.00 |
Monthly Maximum $600.00
Clients are required to pay for the informal care they require to support employment and submit a receipt for reimbursement through the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB.
This program is intended to provide childcare subsidies to parents until licensed care can be established in the community, hence Our Kids Count informal childcare subsidies are available for a three to six-month period or until licensed care is established whichever is sooner.
The applicant must be moving from Ontario Works to employment, or had moved from Ontario Works within the last year; AND
Case Managers are required to complete the Our Kids Count application form as well as a FULL fee subsidy application indicating the applicant’s eligible hours of care. Client is required to submit verification of cost.
Please scan the request into the electronic filing system in the Non-Shareable Programs Folder (NSP) and follow the Workflow Job Aide.
In ALL cases where there is an existing file in the Social Assistance Management System all notes and payments will be issued from the database.
If an applicant or recipient disagrees with a decision, he/she must request an internal review within 30 calendar days from the day the decision is received or deemed to be received. The request must be made in writing.
Written requests for internal reviews may be submitted by letter/note signed by the applicant or recipient.
The letter/note should include:
A review will be conducted by a staff other than the original decision maker and an assessment will be undertaken based on our local policy whether or not the applicant or recipient’s request is approved or denied.