Here's what's happening with social assistance during the Canada Post strike

The Ontario government and district social services administration boards say plans are in place to ensure people on social assistance don't miss out on benefits as a result of the strike by Canada Post employees.

Most Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients now receive payments via direct deposit or reloadable payment card, but a small percentage still rely on physical cheques. Social services administrators told CBC they would hold those cheques for recipients to collect and, in some cases, send them via Purolator to individuals who don't live near an office.

"On Nov. 28 and 29, social assistance cheques that are normally mailed out to clients, landlords and vendors will be made available for pickup at 199 Larch St., in Provincial Boardroom B (located on the main floor by the cafeteria)," said Sacha Novack, a spokesperson for the City of Greater Sudbury.

"The cheques can be picked up between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Cheques that are not picked up on these dates will be available for pickup on Dec. 9 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m."

The Algoma District Services Administration Board has just shy of 40 clients who still receive Ontario Works payments via physical cheque, according to Laurie Pierre, director of client services and social assistance.

Some cheques going out via Purolator

The board anticipated sending around five of the cheques by Purolator, while the rest of their clients would pick them up in person, she said.

Lori Clark, director of integrated human services at of the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board, said her team too will send a small number of Ontario Works cheques by Purolator, while most would be picked up in person.

But other social services administrators did not anticipate needing to use alternatives to Canada Post.

Ninety-three per cent of Ontario Works recipients in the district of Nipissing are now on electronic forms of payment, said Melanie Shaye, chief administrative officer for the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board. Those not on electronic payments live close enough to an office to collect their cheques in person.

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services told CBC in an email that local offices that administer the ODSP and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) have detailed plans to ensure that clients receive payments.

They have contacted clients who receive cheques by mail to let them know where the November month-end payment will be sent, the ministry said.

"If a client has not heard from their caseworker yet, they can contact their local ODSP offices, which will be the primary pickup location."

Clients are still required to do income reporting and those reports will be processed, the ministry said.  

"However, if a client is unable to report their income due to the Canada Post labour disruption, their file will not immediately be suspended," it added.

"This measure was input for the November month-end payments for ODSP and December benefit month for Ontario Works and will be reviewed month by month."

Some mandatory medical benefits and special diet allowances have also been extended for the benefit month of November or December, the ministry said.

Those extensions will be reviewed on a monthly basis.