Ontario Works Rent Portion

[RoxanneQuestionGirl]

My caseworker told me my rent portion will be sent to the landlord. This is a new case worker from a new town hundreds of miles away from my last place I received Ontario Works from. Why is he doing this

[SettlementOrgMod]

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

We can appreciate that you would be interested in finding some information regarding this situation.

You can find some detailed information regarding why and when “Pay Direct” is implemented in the Ontario Works Policy Directives document in section 3.7 Pay Direct.

Here is an excerpt,

The reasons for implementing pay direct are documented and noted on the participant’s file.

Changes in circumstances have been verified and noted on the participant’s file prior to the payment of arrears.

Additionally it states, specifically regarding rent,

Criteria for Implementing Pay Direct

Administrators should consider the following factors in determining whether or not a pay direct arrangement is appropriate:

• the participant has demonstrated a pattern of misuse of assistance resulting in a lack of funds for food or shelter during a month or months;- the misuse of assistance has been harmful or is likely to be harmful to the participant and members of the benefit unit;- the participant frequently makes late payments for rent or utilities to the landlord or utility company;- rental or utility payments are currently in arrears; or- the participant is at risk of being evicted or having his/her utilities disconnected.

Direct payments may be made to:

• a public or private landlord (i.e., for initial rental deposits, rental arrears or ongoing rent);- a utility company (i.e., for deposits, arrears or ongoing service); or- a trust account (i.e., where there is an order to direct rent to a trust account pending the resolution of a landlord and tenant dispute).

Once a pay direct arrangement has been implemented, it may remain in effect until it is evident that the participant is able to manage the assistance issued for the benefit unit.

If you have any questions you may want to contact your local Ontario Works Office directly for some additional information.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

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Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org

[RoxanneQuestionGirl]

I was also denied last months rent security deposit because I didn’t meet eligibility criteria. My Landlord still wants his last months.
He is still waiting for Septembers rent, and its almost October. The Landlord wants the money to go to me to give to him instead of O.W treating me like a baby. My workers response was (oh well, I guess you’ll have to find a different Landlord then.)

[SettlementOrgMod]

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your update.

You may want to contact the nearest Community Legal Clinic for some advice regarding your situation.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org

[RoxanneQuestionGirl]

I was denied because I live in the same house as my landlord. This is unfair that I was denied last months rent because I live in the same house as my landlord and have to pay out of pocket for last months rent request