This brochure explains the exemption for arts grants received by people on ODSP, discusses other forms of income that artists may receive, and gives tips on dealing with possible problems.  Amounts given in the brochure such as asset limits and earned income deductions are accurate as of March 2018, but may be subject to change.

The ODSP and OW rules have been changed to make grants from councils like the Canada Council, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, other city arts councils or arts foundations, exempt from being treated as income and assets. That means that there should be no effect on a disabled artist's eligibility for, or amount of income support.

The ODSP Action Coalition has joined with the Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Committee, the Income Security Advocacy Center and other groups in calling on the Ontario government to add an extra $1 billion for social assistance in its 2017 budget.  This amount would pay for a 10% raise for OW and ODSP, and also allow a number of changes to the complicated rules that keep people in deep poverty. These ideas were spelled out in our pre-budget submission to the Minister of Finance, and to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs of the Ontario legislature

The Coalition has developed our own Facilitator's Guide for groups who wish to hold a meeting about Basic Income in order to send in a submission to government with the views of their community members. This guide generally  follows the basic format and questions from the government's Consultation Guide, but includes the Coalition's analysis of key issues.

The Ontario government is currently seeking input on the recommendations for a Basic Income Pilot Project made by Hugh Segal. The ODSP Action Coalition and the Income Security Advocacy Centre suggest using the discussions about this plan to push for action to actually lift people out of poverty. This short paper shares our responses to some of the questions posed in the Basic Income Consultation Guide. It may be helpful for anyone who plans to attend the public meetings or send in their thoughts about Basic Income.

The Coalition has launched a six month action campaign to mobilize members and supporters to press the government to improve income adequacy for ODSP recipients and their families.  In January, the Ontario legislature and the Minister of Finance are listening to the public's ideas about what should be included in this year's provincial budget. The Action kit below, will help you to write your own letter stating that they must raise the amount of income support for ODSP, and not cut the Work Related benefit. 

Our Coalition's pre-budget submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs this year is simple, with only 2 key points:  Provide adequate incomes for ODSP recipients and their families, and Stop the cut to the Work Related Benefit.  Several Coalition members have been given the opportunity to appear before the Standing Committee in different cities and will present this submission along with examples from their own experience.  Anyone can also send in a written submission to the clerk of the Finance Committee, Katch Koch (kkoch@ola.org

This paper compares the maximum ODSP rates paid to people with disabilities, with the average costs for rent, food, telephone and transportation in several different Ontario communities.  It shows that often people do not receive enough even for these basic expenses, let alone for other needs like clothing, personal care items, or the additional costs created by their disability.  It includes the Coalition's recommendations that the amounts of income support need to be set based on the real costs that people have, and that an expert panel including people with lived experience should be set

This updated lobby Kit and the Key Messages are useful if planning to meet with or write letters to your local Member of Provincial Parliament about the current issues in social assistance reform, such as the rates, merging OW and ODSP, mandatory work plans for people with disabilities, etc.  The Lobby kit gives practical tips and form letters youc an use.  For more background information to prepare what you will say when you have a meeting, see the short papers listed on our Resources for Advocacy page under "Key Issues in ODSP Reform.".

Our Coalition Policy Committee has written another short issues paper in our series dealing with social assistance reform issues from the perspective of people with disabilities.  This one discusses the recommendation of the Commission for the Review of Social Asssitance that the government should set targets to reduce ODSP caseloads.  We say this would be wrong, and that the Commission did not look carefully enough at the reasons so many people need ODSP.

The ODSP Action Coalition has produced a series of short papers dealing with key issues for ODSP recipients. These information sheets discuss many of the recommendations from Brighter Prospects, the report of the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance.   We provide the perspective of members of the Coalition on those important issues.  

The Coalition has responded to the latest discussion paper put out by the Commisison for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario. Our submission, entitled "Positive or Punitive: What Will Reform Mean for People with Disabilities?" questions many of the proposals suggested by the Commission. We worry that some of the changes could end up hurting people on ODSP if it is decided that some recipients can work and if ODSP is merged with OW.

After meeting with the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in early July, the ODSP Action Coalition decided we should do a follow-up submission on key issues and questions that emerged during our discussion with the Commiission.  These issues include: whether people with disabilities should be divided into two groups--those who can work, and those who cannot work; whether there should be a requirement for people with disabilities to work, or to agree to treatment or rehabilitation in order to get income support; and whether the Accessibility for People with Disabilities Act is effective in removing barriers and making workplaces fully accommodating.  We also stress in this submission that there are some good things in the ODSP Act, such as a definition of disability that recognizes that disability is not just a medical issue but includes factors like social barriers.  Although the Coalition has always had lots of complaints about the way current program is