By Rosalind Russell – Here’s what’s happening with social assistance during the Canada Post strike in our local area.
Most recipients need to pick up cheques, and some will be sent by Purolator.
The Ontario government and district social services administration boards say plans are in place to ensure people on social assistance don’t miss out on benefits as a result of the strike by Canada Post employees.
Most Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients now receive payments via direct deposit or reloadable payment card, but a small percentage still rely on physical cheques.
Social services administrators say they would hold those cheques for recipients to collect and, in some cases, send them via Purolator to individuals who don’t live near an office.
“On Nov. 28 and 29, social assistance cheques that are normally mailed out to clients, landlords and vendors will be made available for pickup at 199 Larch St., in Provincial Boardroom B (located on the main floor by the cafeteria),” said Sacha Novack, a spokesperson for the City of Greater Sudbury.
“The cheques can be picked up between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Cheques that are not picked up on these dates will be available for pickup on Dec. 9 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.”
The Algoma District Services Administration Board has just shy of 40 clients who still receive Ontario Works payments via physical cheque, according to Laurie Pierre, director of client services and social assistance.
The board anticipated sending around five of the cheques by Purolator, while the rest of their clients would pick them up in person, she said.
Lori Clark, director of integrated human services at of the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board, said her team too will send a small number of Ontario Works cheques by Purolator, while most would be picked up in person.
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