Caregiver Corner: What is a Mental Health Crisis?

When a loved one experiences mental illness, it is not uncommon for their income to be impacted. As Caregivers, we often feel responsible for ensuring their bills are paid and financial obligations are met. This can put a significant strain on our own finances and more often than not, it is not possible for us to take on additional costs. However, it is important to know that there are some financial supports available to those who are unable to work due to mental illness. These supports range from short term disability through employers to long term disability support programs through the provincial government. In this article, we will explore the different financial options available to your loved one.

Ontario Works (OW)

Ontario Works is often referred to as “Ontario’s social safety net”. Ontario Works is a two-part program that offers income and employment support to people with no other source of income or savings. People can access income and/or employment supports separately, or both programs at once. It is not unusual for someone to be eligible for one part of the program, and not the other. The income supports provide people with a modest amount of monthly income to assist in covering housing costs and basic needs such as food and toiletries. While the employment supports provide people with skill upgrading, help with resume writing, access to volunteer opportunities and sometimes funds to purchase “tools of the trade” such as work boots or new clothing. While on Ontario Works, people also have access to medical, dental and prescription coverage. To learn more about this program, visit the Ontario Works website by clicking here: https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/ow/index.aspx

Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

The Disability Tax Credit is a non-refundable federal tax credit that helps people with disabilities or their caregivers reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay. To learn more about this tax credit, visit Canada.ca.

Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a long-term savings plan designed to help Canadians with disabilities and their families save for the future. To learn more about RDPSs, visit Canada.ca.

Short Term Disability (STD) and Long Term Disability (LTD)

STD and LTD are different from the previous financial supports as they are offered through employer’s benefits programs, and are not government supports. STD and LTD are typically available to those who pay into a benefits package through their employer. They provide time-limited financial support to individuals who are required to take a leave from work due to a disability. To learn more about STD and LTD, speak to your employer’s human resources department.

Though many of these programs are geared towards our loved ones, it is important to know that they are also available to us, as Caregivers.

To learn more about resources available to Caregivers, contact Streamlined Access at 289-340-0348 and press 3 to speak to our Family Caregiver Navigator.