ODSP rates have become a provincial election issue, with advocates calling for increased funding and less stringent measures to get people accepted.
The Star reached out to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services for comment on the current rate, how someone is selected or denied for benefits and about what supports are made available for recipients, but did not hear back before deadline.
By the third week of the month, she barely has any food left. And if an emergency arises where Jensen needs some extra cash on hand, the first place she pulls from is her grocery budget because she can’t risk losing the roof over her head. Despite the fact the change wasn’t addressed in the Progressive Conservative party’s pre-election budget, Doug Ford promised to increase ODSP rates by five per cent annually if re-elected.
While leaders assure ODSP clients change is coming, Mike Ashkewe , an ODSP recipient living in Guelph, said he still feels like an afterthought.