TDRC Media Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY
Release Date: Tuesday, August 19th 2003

Emergency Compensation for Power Blackout Losses May Be Available to Ontario Works Recipients and other Low Income Families and Individuals


(Toronto) The Toronto Disaster Relief Committee (TDRC) has inquired as to whether individuals and families on Ontario Works or other types of assistance, or other low income families and individuals, would be able to obtain emergency relief funding to carry them through to the end of the month in light of the effects of the power blackout. At this point, we have been notified that low income people (including those on Ontario Works as well as the "working poor") should contact a local Ontario Works office (or their worker) to be individually assessed for receiving emergency assistance.

The impacts of the power blackout on low income families have created a great deal of hardship. Most families have lost a great amount of food, and many suffered additional costs in transportation and other related areas throughout the power blackout. It is crucial for these families and low income individuals that additional emergency funds be made available immediately.

The impact on individuals and families is compounded by a crisis in the food bank system, which lost a good deal of perishable food stocks during the power outage.

It is imperative that the public, as well as front line agencies and non-profit groups, receive public notice of the much needed services that are available at this point through Ontario Works.

Families and individuals who are on low and limited incomes, whether they are on Ontario Works or not, should phone a local Ontario Works office to get assessed to see if they would qualify for emergency help. A listing of Ontario Works offices is available on page 25 of the Blue Pages of the telephone book, by phoning the Client Services Info Unit at 416-392-2956, or online at http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/socialservices/

At this point, it is not clear as to what level of emergency assistance will be offered to individuals and families on various types of low income, including EI, ODSP, old age pension, and the working poor.

For more information, contact TDRC at tdrc@tdrc.net

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