As theÌýpostal strikeÌýstretches into its third week, many Canadians who rely on social assistance could find themselves without cheques in time for the holidays.
Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have agreed to continue the delivery of some cheques, but many of the most vulnerable cheque recipients were left off the list.Ìý
Cheques for the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) and Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) will still be delivered.
“Under the agreement, CUPW has committed to provide enough volunteers to deliver the cheques,” wrote a Canada Post spokesperson in a Thursday email to the Star.
However, social assistance cheques such as the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) will not be delivered.
“This is, once again, a reflection of the provincial government’s failure to recognize people with disabilities,” said Luke Anderson, founder of StopGap, a disability advocacy group, in a Thursday email.
“Not receiving support payments translates into potential life-threatening situations for some people with disabilities relying on those payments to cover the cost of medical supplies, rent and food,” Anderson added.
Having at one point received ODSP himself, Anderson said the situation could prove “incredibly stressful for people.”
Service Ontario recommends that members of these disability support programs sign up for direct deposit to avoid payment delays, but that’s not as simple as it sounds, according to Trevor Manson, secretary co-chair of the OSDP Action Coalition.
“These are folks who most likely are the hardest to reach and the least likely to have access to internet, or have the ability to navigate the web,” he saidÌýin a Thursday email to the Star.ÌýHe added that the recipients could be seniors, Indigenous Peoples living on or off reserve, or homeless people. They may or may not have a bank account, he said.
There’s a plan in place for ODSP and ACSD clients who receive their payments by cheque, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services wrote in a Thursday email.
“Arrangements can include, but are not limited to, being picked up from their local ODSP office or alternative deliveries as negotiated with their caseworker,” the spokesperson said.Ìý“For November’s cheques, local ODSP offices made attempts to contact all impacted clients to let them know where to pick up their payment and/or make alternative arrangements.” The spokesperson said the ministry plans to do the same for December.
Ontario Works clients who receive payments by cheque should contact their local office to find out where to pick up their cheque, the spokesperson noted.
As for the strike, there’s no end in sight. Talks between the two parties were suspended by the special federal mediator last week and have not resumed.
Here’s what’s being delivered, and what’s not being delivered, during the Canada Post labour disruption.
Health cards
Health cards will not be mailed out during the Canada Post labour disruption, Service Ontario . Additionally, “You cannot pick up your health card by appointment at a Service Ontario centre.”
Those who are waiting for new health cards should “make sure to keep (their) receipt as temporary proof that (they) are covered by provincial health insurance,” .Ìý
Driver’s licences
Driver’s licences are not being mailed, and won’t be until regular mail service resumes, . Licences can be renewed online in some instances. If you’re able to renew online, you can keep the receipt as proof. If you can’t renew online, you’ll need to visit a Service Ontario centre.
Passports
The government that the postal strike is delaying the delivery of passports, adding that those who need a passport urgently can call or visit any Service Canada location to ask for pickup.
Federal and provincial pension paymentsÌý
CPP and Old Age Security cheques are still being delivered during the strikeÌýby CUPW volunteers, a Canada Post spokesperson confirmed in a Thursday email to the Star. But Canadians who wish to avoid delays should sign up for direct deposit,ÌýÌýsays.
Service Canada will issue the cheques earlier than usual. The next round of cheques will be delivered on Dec. 18.Ìý
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP):ÌýThe OTPP will courier pension cheques, but encourages its members to enrol in direct deposit, according to a . “All non-critical correspondence will be stored until normal postal service resumes,” the statement continues.
Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP): “Due to the labour disruption at Canada Post, mail correspondence from some programs and services may be impacted,” theÌý,Ìýadding that members should contact their plan administrators to determine how their benefits may be affected.
Federal and provincial tax rebates and refundsÌý
“Provincial tax rebate and refund cheques will not be delivered during the strike,” . To avoid payment delays, the office is encouraging people to sign up for direct deposit.
As for federal tax rebates, refunds and benefits, the only cheques that will be delivered are the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), related provincial and territorial programs, and the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB), .Ìý
For other payments, cheque production will continue but they will not be delivered. The cheques will be “securely stored until the situation is resolved,” according to the government.Ìý
The federal government encourages individuals to sign up for direct deposit to avoid payment delays.Ìý
Social assistance
Service Ontario Ìýthat it is not sending social assistance cheques for Ontario Works, the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD). The office also won’t be able to receive any documents sent by mail. However, payments made by direct deposit will continue.
To set up direct deposit, contact your .
Income and housing programs
Canada Post will still deliver cheque payments for the Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS), Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) and housing allowance programs, wrote a Service Ontario spokesperson in an email.
Delivery could be delayed, however. Ontarians who wish to set up deposit can do so over the phone.Ìý
Employment insurance
Employment insurance cheques can be delivered to clients in “dire need,” wrote a spokesperson for Employment and Social Development Canada in a Thursday email to the Star. These clients will need to contact Service Canada to make arrangements for the cheque to be delivered to their homes or a Service Canada Centre.
“Direct deposit is the fastest and most reliable payment method that is not affected by mail delivery issues,” .
Veterans Affairs Canada cheques
A spokesperson for Veterans Affairs Canada said in an email Monday that monthly Veterans Affairs Canada cheques for December will be mailed out during the Canada Post work stoppage. Cheques are scheduled to be delivered between Dec. 18-19.
Veterans Affairs Canada is encouraging veterans and their families to sign up for direct deposit through their or call VAC’s toll-free line at 1-866-522-2122. Veterans and their families are also encouraged to check for regular updates.
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For more detailed information about provincial services, consult Service Ontario’s Ìýpage.Ìý
To learn about federal services during the strike, visit the government’s Ìýpage.
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