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Updated March 2006 |
Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit
This section is an excerpt from the Ontario Works Act, 1997 prescribed by the Province of Ontario.
Ontario Works Regulations
Part VII
Other basic financial assistance
Benefits
55. (1)
The following benefits shall be paid with respect to each of the members of a recipient’s benefit unit if the administrator is satisfied that he or she meets the criteria for them and income assistance is being paid on his or her behalf:
4.
An amount, not exceeding the maximum amount to which a recipient is entitled under subsection (3), in respect of a residence if,
i.
the recipient will be establishing a new principal residence whether within or outside the geographic area or will be remaining in his or her current residence,
ii.
the administrator is satisfied that the recipient will need financial assistance to establish the new principal residence or to remain in his or her current residence,
iii.
the recipient,
A.
is being discharged from an institution that provided for his or her basic needs and shelter,
B.
has satisfied the administrator that it would be harmful to his or her health or welfare to remain in his or her current residence,
C.
has been evicted from his or her current residence,
D.
has received a notice of termination or a notice to quit with respect to his or her tenancy or a final demand for payment under a mortgage and has satisfied the administrator that, if a payment is made, he or she will not be evicted from his or her current residence,
E.
has had a utility within the meaning of paragraph 8 of subsection 42 (1) or the energy for heat as described in paragraph 10 of subsection 42 (1) to the current residence discontinued and has satisfied the administrator that if a payment is made the utility or energy will be resumed, or
F.
has received a notice that a utility within the meaning of paragraph 8 of subsection 42 (1) or the energy for heat as described in paragraph 10 of subsection 42 (1) to the current residence will be discontinued and has satisfied the administrator that if a payment is made the utility or energy will not be discontinued, and
A.
has not received payments under this paragraph or under paragraph 4 of subsection 44 (1) of Ontario Regulation 222/98 (General) made under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997 or has received payments that in total are not greater than the maximum amount to which the recipient is entitled under subsection (3) within the preceding 24 months, or
B.
has received payments under this paragraph or under paragraph 4 of subsection 44 (1) of Ontario Regulation 222/98 (General) made under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997 within the preceding 24 months the total of which equal the maximum amount to which the recipient is entitled under subsection (3), but the administrator approves additional payments that in total are not greater than the maximum amount to which the recipient is entitled under subsection (3) because of exceptional circumstances.
55. (3)
Subject to the approval by the administrator under sub-subparagraph 4 iv B of subsection (1) of an additional payment under exceptional circumstances, the maximum amount payable under paragraph 4 of subsection (1) in any 24-month period is,
(a)
$1,500, if the recipient has one or more dependent children; or
(b)
$799, in all other cases.
Community Start Up and Maintenance Benefit (CSUMB) is a mandatory benefit under Ontario Works (OW) legislation and is granted to a participant:
- where he or she is establishing a new principal residence within or outside the geographic area or will be remaining in his or her current residence; and
- the administrator is satisfied that he or she will need financial assistance to establish the new principal residence or to remain in the existing residence.
CSUMB is issued in the following situations:
- client is being discharged from an approved institution or facility,
- client is leaving a situation that is harmful to the client's health and welfare,
- client has been evicted,
- client is facing eviction at the current address and payment of arrears would prevent eviction,
- client is facing disconnection of energy-related services at the current address and payment of arrears would stop disconnection,
- client has had energy-related services disconnected at current address and payment of arrears would have services resume,
- client is moving to a significantly improved situation.
The maximum CSUMB is;
- $799 for single clients and couples without dependent child(ren) under 18 years of age
- $1,500 for families with dependent child(ren) under 18 years of age
- the maximum can only be granted once in a twenty-four month period unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Twenty-Four Month Period
The total amount (under Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program) of CSUMB paid within the past 24 months cannot exceed the maximum. Once the maximum benefit has been issued, the recipient is not eligible again for CSUMB until 24 months have passed unless there are exceptional circumstances.
The following are considered exceptional circumstances:
- the necessity to relocate as a result of a catastrophic event (e.g. flood, fire);
- the necessity to relocate as a result of domestic violence;
- the necessity to relocate as a result of a disability (e.g. where a recipient is moving to a home that better meets his/her disability related needs);
- other circumstances where the caseworker with supervisory approval is satisfied that it would be harmful to the health and welfare of the participant if not approved and the need for the funds have been clearly identified.
The maximum amounts for CSUMB cannot be exceeded in a twenty-four month period unless "exceptional circumstances" exist. If exceptional circumstances do exist, the amount of extra CSUMB issued cannot exceed the maximum.
Employment and Social Services recognizes that stable housing and employment are integral to the well being of all low income residents particularly families. Therefore, we have established the Shelter Fund with the intent to:
- helping those clients without permanent shelter to obtain it
- helping those clients with appropriate shelter to keep it and not be evicted
- helping those clients wishing to relocate to more affordable/appropriate housing when needed.
Only clients with dependent children are eligible for the Shelter Fund.
In cases of families with dependent children, there may financial need for both CSUMB and Shelter Fund to be issued to meet the total housing needs.
Assessing Housing Needs
The caseworker and the client will determine the total funds necessary to stabilize housing condition.
The total housing needs of clients must be assessed.
- last month's rent deposit
- fuel and hydro deposits (i.e., establishing new account for services)
- rental, utility, or fuel arrears, including any associated costs
- moving and storage costs
- household furnishings such as beds, dressers, table and chairs etc.
- settlement costs such as bedding, dishes, small appliances, clothing etc.
- any other costs approved by the Supervisor
