The Progressive Conservative government has announced that beneficiaries of the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) will start receiving their 5 percent increases in September.

As part of his re-election campaign - and to keep up with his opponents who were all committed to a significant increase in ODSP payments - Premier Doug Ford promised a five percent increase in monthly payments for ODSP recipients.

Individuals in the ODSP program have been receiving $1,169 monthly since 2018. A 5 percent increase will put an additional $58 in their pockets.

Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy told reporters on Tuesday after rescheduling the budget, "This is just one of the many ways our government is providing support to those who need it most."

Last month, more than 200 advocacy groups signed an open letter demanding the Ontario government double the ODSP payment rates. They argued that a 5 percent inflation-linked increase would mean ODSP beneficiaries will continue to struggle.

The Income Security Advocacy Centre wrote in their letter: "With ongoing inflation and the accompanying increase in the cost of living, five percent is not enough."

At a press conference, reporters repeatedly asked Bethlenfalvy if he could live on $1,200 a month.

He avoided the questions, only saying that the government is fulfilling its campaign promise.

"The question is, what can we do for Ontario’s most vulnerable residents?"

Meanwhile, the Progressive Conservative Party included a number of other money-saving proposals in their 2022 budget, including the elimination of license plate sticker renewal fees, a gas tax cut, and funding allocations for parents.

The ministry said the new ODSP payments will start in September, usually paid at the end of the month.