Disability is a root cause of poverty – 52% of people on social assistance are living with disabilities in Ontario

By Laurie Monsebraaten, Toronto Star

Bronwen Sims calls it Ontario’s “work disincentive program.”

The 35-year-old woman, who suffers from bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia, has been living in poverty on Ontario’s disability support program for the past 10 years while doctors help her battle alcoholism, depression and severe panic attacks related to her mental illness.

Little provincial action since 2008 pledge to review regulations on claw-backs, savings

Sims has been well enough to work part-time for the past five years. But her chances of crawling out of poverty are slim. For every dollar she earns, the province cuts 50 cents from her disability cheque and raises the rent on her subsidized apartment.

Hence, Sims’ derisive description for the provincial program.

Now earning $17.50 an hour, Sims, for the first time, has the potential to earn slightly more than the $1,372 in monthly basic income, shelter, nutrition and employment supports she’s eligible to receive through the disability program. Read the whole story in the Toronto Star