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

The province and district social services administration boards say plans are in place to ensure people on social assistance do not miss out on benefits as a result of the strike by Canada Post employees.

While most Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients now receive payments via direct deposit or reloadable payment card, a small percentage still rely on physical cheques, and social services administrators told CBC they would be holding those cheques for recipients to collect and, in some cases, sending them via Purolator to individuals who do not 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 Director of Client Services and Social Assistance Laurie Pierre.

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.

Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board Executive Director Lori Clark said her team too would be sending 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 District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board Chief Administrative Officer Melanie Shaye. And those who are not 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 Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) have detailed plans to ensure that clients receive payments.

They have contacted clients who receive their 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 pick-up 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.