7B.19. Special Services & Items

POLICY 

Authority OW Act: Sec. 2, 5 and 10 & OW Directives: Dir. 7.8 
 

Special Services, Items and Payments: 

The Director of Integrated Social Services has the discretion to provide special services, items and payments where authorized by the Director of Ontario Works Branch MCSS.

The Director of Integrated Social Services will have the discretion to approve any of the items listed below in extraordinary circumstances where there is a threat to the health or welfare of a recipient or a member of the benefit unit.

• chiropractic services
• an amount equivalent to the remote communities allowance for communities south of the 50th parallel without year round road access
• an amount equivalent to the remote communities allowance for First Nation communities north of the 49th parallel regardless of year round road access
• wheelchair and mobility devices (e.g., lifts) batteries, replacement batteries and necessary repairs
• provision, replacement and repairs of hearing aids including batteries for the portion not covered by the Assistive Devices Program
• certification of a learning disorder by a qualified medical doctor or psychologist
• costs of completing medical forms not covered by OHIP, as required to verify eligibility for assistance, benefits or other required purposes
• replacement or repair of essential household furniture and appliances
• replacement or purchase of smoke alarms and batteries for recipients who own their homes and are not in receipt of the maximum shelter allowance
• replacement of household items and personal effects in emergency situations (e.g., fire, flood, storms)
• electric beds to avoid bedsores for persons confined to a bed
• air conditioners for severe asthmatics
• electric breast pumps
• layettes and baby supplies
• blood tests required for Applications for Support where the cost cannot be paid by some other means (e.g., Legal Aid)
• cost of preparing a will where the cost cannot be paid by some other means (e.g., Legal Aid)
• initial deposits required by landlords or others for rent, hydro and heating where necessary
• payments for continuation of hydro or heating service, or to prevent eviction
• payments for low-cost energy and water conservation measures
• cost of an alerting system (e.g., light-flasher, bed-shaker or other appropriate alerting mechanism) if the recipient or a member of the benefit unit is deaf or hearing impaired
• housing-related supports for residents of First Nation communities that may include:
• rent deposits;
• fuel and hydro deposits;
• prevent the discontinuance and/or assist with the reconnection of utilities or heating in an existing residence;
• establishing a new principal residence;
• arrears relating to shelter costs;
• arrears relating to utility costs; and/or,
• other services, items or costs necessary to maintain the safety or well-being of a person in the household, where such supports cannot be provided for through other means