COVID-19 Information and Updates

Although the threat of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) remains low in Grey County, we are taking proactive measures to limit exposure and spread of viruses.

Closing Public Buildings

The Grey County Administration Building, Grey Roots Museum and Archives, Ontario Works satellite offices, the EarlyON Child and Family Centre and the Ontario Works Van services will be closed until further notice.

Many program applications and services can be accessed online or over the phone.  

• Housing assistance call 519‑376‑5744.
• Ontario Works social assistance, call 519-376-7112.
• Administrative matters, please email clerks@grey.ca(link sends e-mail)(link sends e-mail).
• All other needs, residents can call 2-1-1 (1-888-340-1001).

Visitor Restrictions at Long-Term Care Homes

Grey County Long-Term Care, in consultation with the Grey Bruce Health Unit, are following Ministry directions to enhance infection control measures in our homes to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus).

Only essential visitors will be permitted in County homes (Grey Gables in Markdale, Rockwood Terrace in Durham, and Lee Manor in Owen Sound). The ministry is identifying essential visitors as those who have a resident who is dying or very ill.  Essential visitors will be met by a staff member and asked to answer COVID-19 screening questions. Essential visitors will also be required to sign in and out of the home at every visit and provide a contact number should follow up be required.

Suspension of Licensed Child Care

Grey County is following directions from the Province(link is external) to suspend all licensed child care services immediately. Operators will be kept informed of changes and supports available to them during as the situation progresses.

EarlyON Child and Family Centres Closed

Until further notice, all EarlyON Child and Family Centres are closed. You can find updates, activities and resources for each site on their Facebook pages found on the EarlyOn Calendar page

Provincial Offences Court Closure

The Provincial Offences open court will not be operating between March 16 and July 6, 2020 due to COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus). 

Grey Roots Museum is currently closed and all exhibit openings are postponed to a later date. 

The eligibility criteria for Emergency Assistance has been expanded.  It is available for those facing a crisis or emergency who have no immediate access to other supports. This assistance can be a bridge for those who are waiting for COVID-19 supports from the federal government (CERB, EI) and is temporary in nature. Emergency Assistance rates are based on provincial Ontario Works rates. 

To apply for this benefit, please contact your local office at the numbers provided above. You can also apply through the Emergency Assistance Online application.

Basic financial assistance may be available to assist with costs of basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter including health benefits and employment assistance for eligible individuals/families. More information about Ontario Works along with assistance rates can be found at Ontario Works Eligibility.

To apply for this benefit, please contact your local office at the numbers provided above. A complete online application is also available at Social Assistance Online.

A New Emergency Benefit is available to meet extraordinary costs during the COVID-19 crisis for individuals/families currently in receipt of OW/ODSP.  Recipients are asked to contact their caseworker if extra support is needed.  Examples of valid expenses include:

• Cleaning supplies for those diagnosed with COVID-19 or a family member who has been diagnosed
• Delivery or travel costs for food or other essential supplies for recipients or families who are self-isolating
• Additional costs for food as a result of food scarcity (e.g., not having access to lower cost staples)

Details regarding eligibility for CERB are available on the federal government’s website

For existing Ontario Works recipients (granted prior to March 1st, 2020) and all ODSP applicants/recipients: CERB payments will qualify for a partial exemption – the first $200 and 50 per cent of each additional dollar received in a month will be exempt.

For new and recent Ontario Works applicants (those granted on or after March 1st, 2020): CERB payments will be deducted dollar-for-dollar when determining eligibility for social assistance.

Note: Ontario Works and ODSP recipients who qualify for the CERB partial exemption but become financially ineligible will not lose access to health benefits. These recipients will remain on social assistance, at a nominal amount, to ensure access to benefits and case management supports.

Eligibility

Applicants will be required to meet both financial and disability eligibility criteria (total process including the medical adjudication can take up to approximately 3 months).

How to Apply – Intake Application

Applications are taken by phone or on-line at: Social Assistance Online

If you contact us via telephone (519-376-1951) you will be called back to complete the application over the telephone and required to verify: * your personal information * information about members of your household * your household’s housing costs and other shelter-related costs * your household’s income and assets.

ODSP Emergency Benefit

A New Emergency Benefit is available one time to meet extraordinary costs during the COVID-19 crisis for individuals/families currently in receipt of OW/ODSP.  Recipients are asked to contact their caseworker if extra support is needed.  Examples of valid expenses include:

• Cleaning supplies for those diagnosed with COVID-19 or a family member who has been diagnosed.
• Delivery or travel costs for food or other essential supplies for recipients or families who are self-isolating.
• Additional costs for food as a result of food scarcity (e.g., not having access to lower cost staples).

Hours of operation: In effort to serve while protecting both clients and staff throughout the management of COVID 19, our office hours have been currently reduced to 10am to 2pm providing in office service for exceptional or extenuating circumstances only, and we kindly request that clients contact our office via telephone at 519-376-1951 to determine how we can best meet their needs or answer important questions. Please be advised that we will contact clients directly if there is a requirement to attend our office as most of the work can be accommodated and completed via email, FAX, phone or the mail.

Mail Drop Box: We have a labelled mail drop box that is located outside the front main door of Service Ontario accessible 24 hours a day for clients to leave required documents.

Email or FAX information: All clients can submit documentation or any changes to: income, accommodation/address or banking information to the following generic email address and their information will be forwarded to their caseworkers.  

Email: adminowensoundodsp@ontario.ca    Fax:  519-376-4544

The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force has links to information about community food services and updates to services and hours of operations at local food retailers.

Click here for Community Resources

TheDo.caIf you're looking for a way to help, or you need resources during this difficult time, visit TheDo.ca(link is external). TheDo is an initiative of the United Way Bruce Grey.

Resources for NewcomersInstructions from United Way Bruce Grey on how to use google to translate into any language, and links to specific supports for newcomers.

Federal Government Support for Individuals and Businesses

CBC News Interactive Guide to Benefits

211 Ontario is your primary source of information on government and community-based social services.

Services offered to respond to COVID-19 include live online chat, a comprehensive website, and phone support. Find them all here. 

Grey County wants to hear from community partners, organizations, non-profit agencies and to those who support the most vulnerable in our community. Help us understand how Grey County may financially assist you in supporting our community in these trying times.

On March 23, 2020, the Provincial government announced a $200-million investment in social services relief funding to help protect the health and safety of the province’s most vulnerable people. Grey County has received $1.56 million to distribute and assist with the vulnerable population at risk or experiencing homelessness.

Phase one of distributing this funding is to seek applications for assistance from community providers. Following that, other programs may be considered for direct delivery.

If you are providing new or enhanced support or service(s) for vulnerable persons in Grey County with respect to homelessness, shelter, food security, seniors, youth or other because of COVID-19, please submit your request for assistance by Friday, April 24, 2020. Please include the following information:

• full name of the agency or organization;
• primary contact (name, telephone, e-mail);
• brief description of the community service or support you provide; and,
• value of financial aid request and a brief description of how funds would be used to address needs during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please send your request to the attention of Josh Gibson, Housing Programs Manager, at Josh.Gibson@grey.ca. For any questions, call 519-376-5744, ext.1216.

Please note that submission of a request does not guarantee funding assistance in part or in full.

For individual households seeking assistance please visit www.Grey.ca for more information on Social Assistance & Housing Programs.

Grey County Housing

595 9^th Ave East, Owen Sound, ON  N4K 3P3 – 519-376-5744 – Housing@Grey.ca

How the public can help support small business:

Here are some ideas for how the general public can support our local small businesses whilst complying with Public Health guidelines.

If you are financially able to do so:

1. Keep your memberships or decline refunds

2. Purchase gift cards to use later or shop birthday gifts early

3. Shop online from local retailers

4. Reschedule service appointments to later dates

5. Order delivery when available

6. Keep your eyes open for modified services and hours of operation with our local businesses

 You can find local businesses and information about service changes (including online sales) on our new Community and Business Resiliency Map.  

Do you have skills and time to share? 

Add your name to the list at TheDo to be matched to tasks and people in the community. 

TheDo website

Ontario is accepting donations of Personal Protective Equipment for redistribution. 

Register your donations here