Support payments for disabled people may not arrive

Some of the most vulnerable people in Thunder Bay may not receive the provincial support they rely on this month because of a new government computer program, according to a letter from Ontario Disability Support Program case workers.

Monthly support payments for people with disabilities were to be issued Friday. But socialworkers fear the new software installed earlier this month may result in inaccurate payments, or none at all.

"We, the caseworkers in the Thunder Bay ODSP office, would like to advise you that we are being prevented from performing our job duties effectively as a direct result of the issues surrounding our new operating system," said a letter to the Ministry of Community and Social Services, signed by 19 caseworkers on Thursday.

'Grave concerns'

"We feel compelled to reach out to you at this time of desperation as we feel grave concerns for the health and well-being of our clients, and ourselves," continued the letter, obtained by CBC News.

Disability support payments are used by clients to cover basic expenses such as rent and food, as well as specialty payments of health care and transportation.

Caseworkers saiddealing with the failed technology is taking away time they'll need to help clients whose payments are disrupted.

The fears are being echoed by social services workers across the province, but are exacerbated by limited bandwidth in the Thunder Bay office, according to the workers.

The same software is used to process Ontario Works payments. Those are due on Monday.

The province spent $250 million implementing the new Social Assistance Management System.