| Ontario Works | Effective Date: July 1, 2009 |
| Topic: Benefits/Discretionary Benefits | Replaces: November 1, 2004 |
| Subject: Paternity Testing | Policy No. H.7B.10. |
Authority OW Act: Sec. 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 74(1) and (4) & OW Directives: Dir. 7.7
When an action to secure child support has been initiated by an Ontario Works or ODSP recipient and paternity is in question, the Court or a Family Support Worker may request tests of mother, child, and putative father in order to determine paternity.
As a general rule, Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB shall not agree to the payment of paternity testing (DNA), except by court order or as authorized by the Director of Integrated Social Services.
Upon request by any party for Paternity testing, the Family Support Worker (FSW) shall schedule an appointment to interview the applicant/recipient to determine the relationship with the putative father and the events pertaining to conception of the child (ren). Upon review of all information provided by the applicant/recipient, the FSW will make the referral for paternity testing to a laboratory of the DSB’s choosing.
Payments for the laboratory’s work shall be arranged by the FSW through the Discretionary Benefits procedure.