Blog

January 12^th, 2018

Bill 148 – funding for Special Services at Home

With Bill 148 – Fair Workplace, Better Jobs Act coming into effect on January 1, 2018, there’s somethings Special Services at Home families should know.

If you are currently served by Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region, an email or letter was sent to you inviting you to a Bill 148 Info Night. This evening is geared towards advising you about Bill 148, how it impacts families and adults living with a disability who receive funding, and more. You can RSVP to the Info Night at:

The below is information from the Ministry about Bill 148:

Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, includes a variety of new protections for workers and an increase to the minimum wage in Ontario to $14 per hour as of January 1, 2018, and to $15 per hour as of January 1, 2019. This will improve wages and working conditions for workers across the province. The government recognizes that Bill 148 may impact expenses for families in receipt of direct funding. Ontario is providing increased funding for people and families who receive direct funding through the Passport and Special Services at Home programs so they can maintain their services.This phased investment will go to support families in receipt of direct funding through the Special Services at Home program in order to help them with some of the costs associated with the benefits of Bill 148. More details are coming soon.

Questions & Answers

Why are you giving more money to SSAH recipients?

This investment is to help support families who already receive direct funding to help manage some of the costs associated with the benefits of Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act. Future SSAH approval amounts will be adjusted accordingly to benefit from this support

What is this money covering? 

This funding is intended to help families in receipt of direct funding manage some of the costs associated with the benefits of Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 such as the minimum wage increase, vacation pay and emergency leave provisions. The funding will help maintain services and supports to families through direct funding programs.

Who is receiving the funding?

People and families in receipt of direct funding through the SSAH and Passport programs will receive increased allocations.

Additionally, funding will be provided to transfer payment agencies who receive funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services including Developmental Services, and Community Services, including Violence Against Women, Aboriginal Healing and Wellness, and Interpreter and Intervenor programs.

When is the money flowing?

Funding will begin flowing to direct funding recipients in early 2018.

How will it be distributed to SSAH recipients?

The ministry will provide template letters to communicate the increase with SSAH recipients.

What is the total amount of funding available?

Overall, the Ontario government will be investing an additional $24.3 million in 2017-18 to support the community and developmental services sectors to help ease the impact of higher costs for agencies and direct funding recipients due to the implementation of Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act 2017, on January 1, 2018.

How much will families in receipt of SSAH receive?

Details are forthcoming, early in 2018.

Is this funding annualized?

Yes.  Ontario is investing an additional $24.3 million in 2017-18 to support the community and developmental services sectors to help ease the impact of higher costs for direct funding recipients and agencies, due to the implementation of Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act 2017, on January 1, 2018.  Future funding decisions are always subject to government approval as part of the usual provincial budget process.

Are new services and supports now available as a result of this announcement?

No, not at this time. This announcement by the Ontario government identifies increased investment to help ease the impact of higher costs for direct funding recipients through the Special Services at Home (SSAH) program.

Where can I find more specific information on Bill 148, such as implementation timelines, equal pay, personal emergency leave and temp agencies?

For questions regarding specific details and different implementation dates for parts of the Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act 2017, please direct stakeholders to the Ministry of Labour.

 

More information on specific aspects of Bill 148 can be found at https://www.ontario.ca/page/plan-fair-workplaces-and-better-jobs-bill-148?_ga=2.266775822.1484068543.1513869797-1348403257.1513869797