Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Social Assistance Program Policy Branch
Social Assistance Programs Division
2 Bloor St. West. 4th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3E2
October 25, 2023
MEMORANDUM TO: Ontario Works Administrators, Municipalities and DSSABs
FROM: Laura Belfie, Director Social Assistance Program Policy Branch
SUBJECT: Proposed Ontario Works regulation changes are now available for public comment
The government is taking an important step to expand its role in centralized intake for Ontario Works to reduce administrative burden for municipalities. As the province manages more Ontario Works applications end-to-end, municipalities will be able to provide more one-on-one support to clients.
The ministry is seeking approval for regulatory amendments to enable the ministry to be designated in regulation as an Ontario Works delivery agent in three geographic areas: the District Municipality of Muskoka, the County and City of Peterborough, and the Regional Municipality of York.
These changes will authorize the ministry to make Ontario Works intake eligibility decisions in specific geographic areas. The proposed changes will apply first to the three areas named above. What we learn from these sites will inform the province’s longer-term plans, which include extending these regulatory changes to all Consolidated Municipal Service Managers and District Social Services Administration Boards.
The ministry is also proposing technical changes to the cost-sharing regulation to reflect the new term of delivery partner. The change will maintain the cost-sharing relationship that currently exists between the ministry and these geographic areas. There will be no impact to cost sharing as a result of the proposed regulatory change (i.e., funding arrangements).
The changes being proposed by the ministry to Ontario Works regulations are posted on Ontario’s Regulatory Registry for public feedback. The proposed changes will impact the following Ontario Works regulations:
• O. Reg. 135/98: Administration and Cost Sharing
• O. Reg. 136/98: Designation of Geographic Areas and Delivery Agents
Public comments will be accepted for 45 days from the time of posting.
Attached is a question-and-answer document regarding the proposed regulatory changes. If you have any questions about the proposed regulation changes you may contact me at Laura.Belfie@ontario.ca.
Laura Belfie
Director, Social Assistance Program Policy Branch
