Ontario’s Basic
Income Pilot
Studying the impact of
a basic income
What is basic income?
A basic income is a payment to eligible families or
individuals that ensure a minimum income level
regardless of employment status.
Why study a basic income?
The pilot will test whether a basic income can better
support vulnerable workers, improve health and education
outcomes for people on low incomes, and help ensure
that everyone shares in Ontario’s economic growth. It will
measure outcomes in:
• Food security
• Stress and anxiety
• Mental health
• Health and health care usage
Where is the pilot taking place?
The three-year pilot will take place in the following locations:
• Hamilton, Brantford, Brant County - launching late spring
2017
• Thunder Bay and the surrounding area - launching late
spring 2017
• Lindsay - launching by fall 2017
How does it work?
Randomly selected individuals will receive information in
the mail inviting them to apply to be part of the pilot. Eligible
individuals will be randomly selected to either receive the
basic income or be part of a control group made up of people
who will not be receiving payments. Individuals receiving the
basic income will be compared to the selected control group.
Up to 4,000 participants receiving basic income payments
will be included in the pilot at full implementation.
• Housing stability
• Education and training
• Employment and labour
market participation
Participants will be:
• Randomly selected
• 18 to 64 years old
• Living in one of the test locations for the past 12
months or longer
• Living on a low income.
Ontario is also planning a separate, parallel First Nations
Basic Income Pilot, co-created and designed with First
Nations partners.
How much will participants receive?
The payment will account for other income and ensure
a minimum level of income is provided. Participants will
receive:
• Up to $16,989 per year for a single person, less 50 per
cent of any earned income
• Up to $24,027 per year for a couple, less 50 per cent of
any earned income
• Up to an additional $6,000 per year for a person with a
disability.
Participants can go to school to further their education
or begin/continue to work while receiving the basic
income. The basic income amount will decrease by $0.50
for every dollar an individual earns through work.
Income from other programs, such as the Canada
Pension Plan and Employment Insurance, would reduce
the basic income payment dollar for dollar. Income
related to children, such as the Ontario Child
and child support, would be exempt. People receiving
support through Ontario Works who enter the pilot will
continue to receive the Ontario Drug and people
on the Ontario Disability Support Program will continue
to receive the Ontario Drug and dental
Who will evaluate the pilot?
A third-party research consortium will evaluate
the pilot. The province will form an advisory
group with research and evaluation experts to
ensure the pilot is conducted with the utmost
integrity, rigour and ethical standards.
For more information about the pilot, please visit
www.ontario.ca/basicincome