New wording for cheque suspension letters

[Justice4ODSP]

Hi,

It was my understanding that the new cheque suspension letters would be worded better (less harsh). 

Well, I just got my ODSP cheque suspended again because of, I'm assuming, a SAMS mistake.  I say this because my job ended at the end of September and the work related benefit was stopped. All of a sudden it was started again with the last cheque. I saw the overpayment and reported it, but it's obvious the computer still spit out the letter.

That gives me the bonus opportunity to check up on them; to see if the ministry created those kinder letters as promised.

Well, the changes are below. I re typed both the old and the new form letters. 

In my opinion there's nothing kinder at all. In fact I would say that the new one is a little more harsh. 

Here's why: 

The new wording references the online reporting system; that we can submit our income/training reports that way. We can't yet because we haven't been given access to that new option yet. The new letter, therefore, may be confusing for some.

It doesn't tell the client to save their pay stubs. It only says we must submit the Employment/Training report in hard copy or using that, as yet, non-existent online reporting tool. Will everyone know that we must now save all the pay stubs so we can produce them to ODSP on request? Does everyone have a good filing system to do this job? 

There is no right to appeal....  That's just so wrong. 

We must vocalize our objections to these changes. They are more mean, not less. This illustrates another broken promise. 

Pasted below is a copy of the old form letter followed by the new. 

To make the changes stand out I used the over-strike to scratch out words and I entered the new words in bold, with underline, and italics. To highlight the odd comment I made, I enclosed them with [square brackets]. 

Hopefully this will make the changes stand out seeing as I can't send attachments on Fireside. 

Justice4odsp

OLD LETTER

 

I am writing to you about your income support from the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

 

We have put your ODSP file on hold as of August 1, 2014. Please read this letter carefully to find out:

- why we put your ODSP file on hold

- what you can do next.

 

You will not receive ODSP income support and other benefits while your ODSP file is on hold.

 

WHY YOUR ODSP FILE IS ON HOLD.

 

We did not receive your Employment/Training Income Report and pay stubs. This is the form you use to tell us about earnings from a job or training program. We need this information to make sure that:

- you still qualify for ODSP, and

- you receive the correct amount of income support.

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

 

Please send us your Employment/Training Income Report and pay stubs right away.

 

IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH OUR DECISION

 

If you do not agree with our decision to suspend your income support, you can ask us to review it. This is called an internal review.

 

You must ask for an internal review in writing by September 21, 2014. If you miss this deadline but you still want to ask for an internal review, you should write to us explaining why you were late. 

If we do not change our decision after the internal review, you can appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal.

You can find out more about internal reviews and appeals on the back of this letter. 

 

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED MORE INFOMRATION

 

If you have any questions about this decision, please call your local ODSP office at the phone number at the top of this letter. You can find more information about ODSP on the ministry’s website at www.ontario.ca/mcss.

 

NEW LETTER - with changes merged in for illustration purposes

 

I am writing to you about your income support from the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

 

We have put your ODSP file on hold as of January 19, 2015. Please read this letter carefully to find out:

- why we put your (ODSP) file on hold

- what you can do next.

 

You will not receive ODSP income support and other benefits (while) now that your ODSP file is on hold.

 

WHY YOUR ODSP FILE IS ON HOLD.  (Title is now lower case and “ODSP” missing)

 

We did not receive your income report through either your Employment/Training Income Report or your Social Assistance Online report. and pay stubs. This is These are the forms you use to tell us about earnings from a job or training program. We need this information to make sure that:

- you still qualify for ODSP, and

- you receive the correct amount of ODSP income support.

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO   (Title is now lower case)

 

Please send us your Employment/Training Income Report and pay stubs or update your Social Assistance Online account right away.  [NOTE FROM ME: We do not have the online account updating option YET.]

 

IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH OUR DECISION  (Title is now lower case)

 

If you do not agree with our decision to suspend your income support a decision in this letter, you can ask us to review it. This is called an internal review.

 

You must ask for an internal review in writing by February 22, 2015. If you miss this deadline but you still want to ask for an internal review, you should write to us explaining why you were late you will not be able to appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal and this decision will be final.  [NOTE FROM ME: SAMS made the mistake in my case… rather harsh, eh?]

If we do not change our decision after the internal review, you can appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal.

You can find out more about internal reviews and appeals on the back of this letter. 

 

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED MORE INFORMATION (Title is now lower case)

 

If you have any questions about this decision, please call your local ODSP office at the phone number at the top of this letter. You can find more information about ODSP on the ministry’s website at www.ontario.ca/mcss. 

THE ABOVE PARAGRAPH IS REPLACED WITH: If you would like to talk to someone about this letter or your case, please contact [worker’s name] by calling [worker’s direct phone number].

 

You can find more information about social assistance on the ministry’s website at www.ontario.ca/community.