7B.19. Special Services & Items

POLICY 

Authority OW Act: Sec. 2, 5 and 10 & OW Directives: Dir. 7.8 
 

Special Services, Items and Payments: 

The Director of Social Services has the discretion to provide special services, items and payments where authorized by the Director of Ontario Works Branch MCSS. 

Although the following special services, items or payments have been approved by the Director of Ontario Works Branch, the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB does not have specific policies related to the items listed below and in general these items will not be approved as a Discretionary Benefit. The Director of Social Services will have the discretion to approve any of the items listed below in extraordinary circumstances where there is a threat to the health or welfare of a recipient or a member of the benefit unit.

• chiropractic services
• northern allowance for communities south of the 50th parallel without year round road access
• certification of a learning disorder by a qualified medical doctor or psychologist
• costs of completing medical forms not covered by OHIP, as required to verify eligibility for assistance, benefits or other required purposes
• replacement or purchase of smoke alarms and batteries for recipients who own their homes and are not in receipt of the maximum shelter allowance
• electric beds to avoid bedsores for persons confined to a bed
• air conditioners for severe asthmatics
• electric breast pumps
• cost of preparing a will where the cost cannot be paid by some other means (e.g., Legal Aid)