Services delivered: compensation to community agencies for trusteeship services

Component: ODSP Financial Assistance

Legislation: Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) Act

Service Objectives

To provide professional trusteeship and financial counselling services for ODSP recipients.

Service Description

ODSP recipients, as defined under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, chapter 25, schedule B, who require assistance to manage their income support.

Program/Service Features

The responsibilities of the Transfer Payment Recipient acting as a trustee on behalf of an ODSP recipient include, but are not limited to the following:

• Providing financial counselling services to assist the ODSP recipient in gaining skills to manage his/her income support independently wherever possible
• Completing all necessary forms required by the ODSP and providing information to the local ODSP office regarding income or assets or any other changes in circumstances that may impact eligibility
• Assisting the ODSP recipient to manage the receipt and disbursement of income support for basic necessities (e.g., food, clothes, etc.) and the payment of shelter and utility costs. The Transfer Payment Recipient must ensure that shelter and utility costs are paid on or before the day that they are due
• For audit purposes, maintaining accurate financial statements of all income support provided to the recipient and all disbursements on behalf of the recipient, including those for the payment of basic necessities, shelter and utility costs
• Filing an annual report with the ministry accounting for the use of income support received on behalf of the recipient
• Providing supplementary information, monthly or otherwise, including receipts, if requested by the ministry
• Maintaining separate records for each ODSP recipient

The Transfer Payment Recipient, acting as trustee will establish an agreement and plan with the ODSP recipient for the management of the recipient’s income support. All efforts will be made to encourage the recipient’s participation in both managing their income support, and in the decisions that affect them, as well as in improving the recipient’s capacity to manage their income support.

Services will be:

• Representative of the best interests of the ODSP recipient
• Necessary for the benefit and care of the ODSP recipient and other members of the benefit unit
• Considerate of the ODSP recipient’s legal obligations
• Accountable to the individual and family for the services provided and to the ministry for the funding provided
• Delivered by individuals with the appropriate range of skills and abilities necessary to respond effectively to the needs of ODSP recipients and their families
• In alignment with the individual's assessed needs, preferences and available individual, agency, community and contracted ministry resources
• Sensitive to the social, linguistic, and cultural diversity of families and aboriginal communities

Ministry Expectations

The Transfer Payment Recipient will deliver the programs and services in accordance with the requirements as outlined in:

• The legal, financial and service target data portions of the service contract
• ODSP Income Support Directive 10.2 Trustees
• Any service/program specific guidelines provided; and
• In keeping with best practices for the delivery of services

Reporting Requirements

The following service data will be reported on at an Interim and Final stage. Please refer to your final agreement for report back due dates and targets.