Ontario has increased the maximum monthly welfare cheque by 2% this month for Ontario Disability Support Program recipients and Ontario Works recipients. The Ontario Social Assistance Rate Increase explains in more detail what is effected by the rate increase. Unfortunately this rate increase is far cry from what anti-poverty activists in Ontario have pushing for. There has been a 40% loss of in real income for poor people over the last ten years. Add your name to the Raise the Rates Petition to Premier McGuinty, signed by thousands of people asking for a 40% increase to welfare and disability rates. Read more about the Ontario Raise the Rates Campaign .