| Ontario Works | Effective Date: March 1, 2022 |
| Topic: Benefits/Mandatory Benefits | Replaces: February 1, 2013 |
| Subject: Employment Benefits | Policy No. H.7A.10. |
The Full-time Employment Benefit (FTEB) is provided to a recipient, a spouse included in the benefit unit or a dependent adult to help with expenses associated with beginning full-time employment. The benefit may be paid in one or more installments, up to the maximum in any 12-month period.
The maximum amount that may be provided through the FTEB is up to $500 in a 12-month period for each eligible recipient.
Recipients are eligible for this benefit if they meet the following criteria:
• have been on social assistance for three consecutive months; and
• are beginning full-time employment and require assistance with the costs of going to work.
Beginning full-time employment means working 30 or more hours per week in one or more jobs.
Receipts, other documentation or verification for expenses associated with accepting or changing employment or an employment assistance activity should be visually verified, and documented in the social assistance computer system.
A participant who is self-employed is not eligible for the FTEB.
Other Employment and Employment Assistance Activities Benefit
The Other Employment and Employment Assistance Activities Benefit is provided to a recipient, a spouse in the benefit unit, a dependent adult not attending secondary school full-time or a training program, or a dependent child who has graduated from secondary school. This benefit is provided to assist with costs associated with beginning or changing employment or an employment assistance activity.
Recipients are eligible for this benefit if they are:
• beginning or changing participation in employment assistance activities, which means beginning a new training program with different duties and responsibilities, or shifting from job training to work experience; or
• beginning or changing employment with a current or new employer where the duties and responsibilities are substantially different than the previous job.
Expenses associated with accepting or changing either employment or an employment assistance activity, including a training program, include but are not limited to, the following:
• appropriate work wear;
• grooming costs;
• licensing fees, association costs;
• tools and equipment;
• transportation costs.
The maximum amount that may be provided for each eligible recipient of this benefit is up to $253 in a 12-month period.
If a portion of the $253 was issued to the recipient during the 12 months, the balance may be issued at any time in the 12-month period following the original payment.
Employment and Training Start Up Benefit (ETSUB) for ODSP Participating individuals
A maximum of $500 in a 12 month period can be issued for but not limited to:
• new full-time or part-time employment
• a training program
• to start a business
• an approved employment activity, such as job search
• ESUB can be issued for but not limited to:
• appropriate work wear;
• grooming cost;
• licensing fees, association costs;
• tools and equipment;
• transportation cost
An advance (up front) child care payment may be provided to a recipient, a spouse included in the benefit unit, a dependent adult or a dependent child with a dependent child if in the opinion of the Administrator the person is required to pay in advance for child care that is necessary to permit employment or an employment assistance activity.
The advance child care payment can be issued up to the following maximum amount in any 12-month period:
• actual costs for licensed child care under current policy; or
• up to $600 for unlicensed (informal) child care costs.
Note: FTEB and Other Employment and Assistance Activities Benefits (ESUB and Advance Child Care Payments) are issued prior to accessing the Employment Related Expenses Benefit (ERE) or Community Participation Expenses (CPE).
Any employment related benefit must not be issued for an employment related activity that has not been agreed to and included on a signed Participation Agreement.
Employment-related expenses (ERE) are provided to support participants as they progress toward sustainable employment.
Employment-related expenses are also available for ODSP recipients who are participating in Ontario Works employment assistance activities.
Where a participant is eligible for the mandatory Other Employment and Employment Assistance Activities Benefit, that benefit is accessed first.
Community Participation Expenses (CPE) are available to participants who are participating in the Community Placement Component of the Ontario Works Program as part of the employment activity plan. This plan must be mutually developed and agreed to by the participant and his/her Case Manager. The need for funds must be documented on file and approved as appropriate.
Participants are eligible for CPE when they require financial assistance to attend and participate in a Community Placement. CPE may be provided to a participant to enable him/her to commence a Community Placement without incurring “out-of-pocket” expenses.
The decision of whether or not to issue ERE and or CPE and the amount is not a decision that can be appealed to the Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT).
A participant who becomes employed as a result of participating in a Community Placement is eligible to receive ESUB provided that he/she requires funds in order to start a job and has not received the maximum allowable in the year. If a participant has received the maximum allowable in the year or ESUB funds are not sufficient to meet the participant’s needs, alternative funding methods should be reviewed with the Supervisor.
Participants in Ontario Works may receive ERE / CPE assistance to:
ERE and or CPE issued on a one-time or on an ongoing basis. The payment must not exceed $175 per month per participant and the maximum advance payment should not exceed $500.
Requests which exceed $175 must be approved by the Supervisor.
Participants may receive funds either in advance to purchase necessary item(s) or may be reimbursed for items already purchased, provided prior approval was given by the Case Manager.
Eligible Items can include but not limited to:
Direct payments for ERE and or CPE should first be accessed through the Employment Start-up Benefit (ESUB). In cases where these funds are not sufficient to meet the participant’s needs, ESUB may be supplemented through the use of ERE and or CPE.
Employment Related Expenses are available from the date a participant is eligible for Ontario Works until the month in which employment commences or until the participant receives the first full pay cheque.
Participants must access any other sources of financial assistance which might be available (i.e. Ontario Student Assistance Program).
Every precaution is taken to avoid duplicating funds which could be available from another source. Case Managers are to contact agencies to ensure that the participant is not eligible for funds from those sources before funds are issued.
Due to our vast geographic area, it may not be possible to cover all clients’ transportation needs. It will be necessary for the Case Manager to develop Participation Agreements that ensure the clients shortest route to employment. Where it is determined that the shortest route requires extensive travel dollars, it is incumbent upon the Case Manager to discuss with the client the possibility of sharing rides, and/or where appropriate relocating.
Note: The most economical method of travel must always be considered.
Funds may be provided for clothing items that participants need to attend specific training courses, job interviews or required as part of the participation agreement.
Funds may be provided for grooming items that participants need to attend training courses, job interviews or required as part of their participation agreement. These expenses may include haircuts, permanents, shaving equipment, and dry cleaning costs.
Services to improve health and personal appearance may be provided (i.e. membership in a health club to lose weight.) Issuance of these funds is subject to the approval of a Supervisor.
Equipment such as safety glasses, work boots, tools for the trade and other similar items may be provided if:
The cost of books required to attend an approved training or educational program can be covered if funding is not available through any other source.
Funds may be provided for specific courses e.g. First Aid, CPR that are not eligible for funding through OSAP or other funding sources.
The course must be less than three months in duration and the cost of tuition must not exceed maximum allowable employment related amount. However, courses that exceed this limitation may be considered if it is demonstrated it will directly result in employment and will require the prior approval of the OW Supervisor.
Application Fee / Fee to Hold Seats: If clients are able to prove they have met the eligibility requirements of the program, and/or they are motivated to attend said program, Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB will remit the fee to hold a seat and/or the application fee on behalf of the client. This is a once per lifetime issuance, however, it may be considered a second time based on extenuating circumstances and the previous outcome with approval of the Supervisor.
Participants attending Adult Alternative Programs may be allowed $20 per school year for school supplies.
Participants are encouraged to access the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB Resource centre for job searching on the Internet, resume preparation, faxing of resumes, etc.
Only in remote areas, where the costs of travelling to the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB office would be excessive may funds be issued for supplies required during job search. Items may include, but are not limited to postage, paper and envelopes for mailing out resumes, responding to job ads, etc... In these remote areas, clients can be issued a one-time payment of $20/year.
Funds for various fees may be available to participants involved in approved vocational/employment programs. Approval of the Supervisor is required to access these funds. Minor fees include:
Case Managers can approve Employment Benefits provided the need for same is clearly documented in the social assistance computer system and policy limits are not exceeded. Where appropriate, estimates for items have been received and placed on file.
1. The participant is to provide written verification of his/her involvement in an employment related activity.
2. The Case Manager will issue the employment related benefit in the social assistance computer system. Estimates or verification of cost will be required.
3. The Case Manager will complete a note in the social assistance computer system.