COVID-19 Funding for Income Assistance Clients

Notice to Ontario Works Clients
October 14, 2020

COVID 19 Funding for Income Assistance Clients – Basic Needs

The Government of Canada has committed an additional $270 million to supplement the On-Reserve Income Assistance Program to help ensure that First Nations individuals and families who rely on Income Assistance will be able to cover their essential living expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) will provide assistance to individuals and families on-reserve by providing temporary COVID-19 funding (Basic Needs) of $300 per month per Income Assistance client retroactively for three months (April – June 2020).

This benefit is available to all Ontario Works clients who were on OW with our office for April, May and/or June 2020 – even if they are no longer on Ontario Works assistance. 

As advised this benefit is to be used for essential living expenses during the COVID-19 period and could include expenses for:

• Bulk food purchases
• Food, clothing, gas and other necessities
• Transportation
• Cultural harvesting/hunting/trapping needs, supplies, etc.
• Bulk cleaning supplies
• Firewood
• Other living expenses

We will be issuing the additional basic needs benefit this Friday, October 16^th. Should you have any questions please contact your worker. 

Thank you,
Take care and be safe!