What to know
- Ontario says it is changing eligibility rules for Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program.
- The new rules exclude people living in Canada illegally, as well as people authorized to remain temporarily, including visitors and some people with study or work permits.
- The province says the changes are taking effect immediately and are intended to protect taxpayer dollars.
- ODSP recipients with disabilities can earn up to $1,000 per month through employment without affecting their income support and benefits.
The Ontario government says it is ending social assistance for people living in Canada illegally, as well as people who are in the country on a temporary basis, including some international students and temporary workers.
On Thursday, the province announced changes to its social assistance programs that will ensure only people who are eligible under Ontario’s rules can receive financial assistance through Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). The new regulations take effect immediately.
“Our government will always be there for those that need it most, but taxpayer-funded social assistance should not go to people living in Canada illegally,” said Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “These changes will protect taxpayer dollars and ensure these programs are there for the people who they were intended to support.”
Premier Doug Ford echoed those sentiments in a post on X.
“Taxpayer-funded social assistance was never meant to support people living in Ontario illegally. As of today, it doesn’t,” he said.
The province is making the changes through amended regulations under the Ontario Works Act, 1997 and the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997, providing greater clarity around who is eligible for social assistance.
Under the new rules, people who are not eligible for social assistance include those who are in Canada illegally, as well as individuals who are authorized to remain in Canada on a temporary basis, such as people in the country on study permits, work permits, or as visitors and tourists.
The province says the changes are intended to ensure social assistance programs are available to those they are designed to support.
For people receiving ODSP, individuals with disabilities may earn up to $1,000 per month through employment without affecting their eligibility for income support and benefits.
