July 11, 2024
We want to make you aware of the following information that is shared with ODSP recipients supported by Karis, highlighting the new rate changes.
To: ODSP Recipients
The Province of Ontario recently announced rate increases to the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) social assistance funding. The support contribution (formerly called maintenance fee), room and board and shelter allowance have all increased by 4.5%. We are pleased by the annual inflationary adjustment that was applied to the basic needs and shelter rates once again this year. Please note, the Ontario government determines these rates and provides the details to us for changes through the Ontario Disability Support Program Act; Karis Disability Services does not set these rates.
The new rates, effective July 1, 2024, are:
Supported Group Living
$1,195 support contribution (old rate $1143)
$ 149 personal needs allowance (old rate 149)
$1,344 Total
Supported Independent Living
$ 888 room and board (old rate $846)
$ 149 personal needs allowance (old rate $149)
$ 1,037 Total
Shelter Allowance
$ 582.00 shelter allowance (was $556)
Cheque Payment
If you pay your support contribution by cheque, please use the new rates for July due August 6, 2024, and attach the Month End Report (Report # F02-1(ON) support contribution form available on CH Connect).
Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD)
If you pay your support contribution automatically through your bank, new PAD confirmations are being prepared and will be sent out to you prior to the first withdrawal at the new rate, which will take place on August 6, 2024.
Payments sent directly from ODSP
If you pay your support contribution as a “landlord deduction,” this payment appears as a deduction on the monthly payment advice (or statement of assistance) from the ODSP office. Landlord payments are not automatically updated to the new support contribution amount by the ODSP office. If this applies to you, please contact your local ODSP representative and change the “landlord” payment to the new rate (stated above). The ODSP office needs to be contacted to have the appropriate payment amount changed. Note that, due to confidentiality issues, the Finance department is unable to request these changes. These may have been automatically updated by your ODSP representative.
A local Direct Support Professional can help you with these instructions if you would like. You can also discuss this with the local Karis Disability Services Program Manager that is associated with the supports you receive.
Please ask your Program Managers to contact us if you have questions:
North & Central Districts: Barbara Bender – 519-786-6810 x 3128, bbender@karis.org
South & West Districts: Claudia Cruz – 519-786-6810 x 3131, ccruz@karis.org
Central East & East: Farkhanda Sohail – 519-786-6810 x 3328, fsohail@karis.org
I am also available at 519-786-6810 or via email at stolaadenaike@karis.org.
Sincerely,
Sayo Tola-Adenaike, Director of Finance