Taylor tells Premier to halt plans to cut ODSP work benefit

Monique Taylor, the NDP’s new critic for Community and Social Services, demanded Premier Wynne stop her government’s plan to cut the Work-Related Benefit for 34,000 ODSP recipients.

“Thousands of persons with disabilities are proud to be part of the workforce, but they count on a $100 top-up each month to help pay the costs of that work,” Taylor said, in a question to the Premier in the Legislature.

The Work-Related Benefit provides $100 a month to 34,000 ODSP recipients and their families. This crucial benefit helps pay the on-going costs associated with employment, such as transportation and clothing.

“Cutting the Work-Related Benefit means no bus tickets to get to work. It means cutting back on food. It means scrambling to find another shift, or being forced out of the workforce altogether,” Taylor said.

“The same Premier who promised to protect social assistance is cutting this crucial funding. She promised one thing and she’s doing the exact opposite,” said Taylor. “There is nothing more cynical than a Poverty Reduction Strategy based on cutting $100 a month from social assistance.”