Thread by @Soohem

1/10The need to self-isolate increases needs and costs. Getting to the grocery store is not an option all on ODSP now. Transportation is disrupted and more costly. Those with compromised immune systems can’t risk the trip. This leaves grocery delivery services cannot be afforded

2/10“For people on ODSP, watching others receive $2,000 a month from the federal government is a bitter pill to swallow.” This is how a working #disabled person gets ALL the time minus pandemic. And they work under circumstances where most doctors say NO working #ODSPoverty

3/10On April 21st, more than a month after we went into self-isolation, the Ford government announced how they would treat CERB. While the federal government urged the provinces and territories to let recipients receive the CERB without a clawback to social assistance,

4/10The Ford government decided to treat it in the same way as employment income for those on social assistance.Instead of receiving an additional $2,000 free and clear as the federal government suggested, recipients would see their ODSP clawed back by $900.

5/10 Those who see their social assistance payments clawed back to zero would continue to receive the program’s health benefits.The clawback saves the Ontario government an estimated $30 million each month. They say this is in use for #disabled it is NOT.

6/10The government said this money would be used to support people on social assistance. They did not provide any further details about what these supports might be. To this date those that did not claim CERB or CRB have received NOTHING. I would like to know where this money is.

7/10The amount of support ODSP provides is like throwing a life preserver to a drowning person but not pulling them to shore. It might be enough to help people tread water, but not enough to get to shore where they might be able to stand on their own and shed the life preserver

8/10 “If we don’t provide people on social assistance with enough to remain at home, their risk of contracting the virus increases, which means the risks increase for everyone.” #ODSPoverty

9/10 People on ODSP should not be expected to take a vow of poverty.!!!The number of Ontarians with disabilities who require income assistance is staggering. At least 25% of people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64 in Ontario are on ODSP.

10/10How we treat the marginalized is a profound reflection of how we are doing as a society. Well we are not treating our poor very well especially during this harrowing time. The last thing this #disabled person needs is more stress. My health suffers more I get more sick!