Income Security: A Roadmap for Change

• Single adults under age 65 have limited income supports available to them,
making it diffcult to establish themselves with any kind of stability and
security and focus on improving their outcomes Combining maximum social
assistance and tax benefits (tax benefits only being available if the individual
files taxes):
• Single individuals with no fixed address can access a maximum of $4,677
(81% below the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) Low-Income
Measure (LIM)) if they don’t have a disability, and $8,577 (73% below the
PRS LIM plus 30% in recognition of the cost of living with a disability) if they
have a disability
• Single individuals who rent accommodation can access a maximum of
$9,604 (60% below the PRS LIM) if they don’t have a disability and $14,884
(53% below the PRS LIM plus 30%) if they have a disability
• In First Nations communities in Ontario, 28% of adults reported total annual
household income of less than $20,000 in 2008 to 2010 This increased to
352% in 2013 to 2015 30
• First Nations Administrators have noted that three generations of First
Nations people have relied on income assistance
30 Chiefs of Ontario, First Nations Early Childhood, Education and Employment
Survey (FNREEES) Peoples Report, op cit
Income Security: A Roadmap for Change 41