County responds to mail strike
15-11-2024 8:40 a.m.
Northumberland County
With a mail strike impacting certain operations, Northumberland County has made an announcement to outline how they will change certain service-delivery models
With a Canada Post strike in the offing, Northumberland County planned ahead – and, on Thursday, released an announcement on how the delivery of certain services will change in response.
Basically, the county cannot send large-distribution mailings such as notices and bills, and of course cannot receive incoming mail.
Residents and service partners who have received recent invoices from the county are still responsible the timely payment of their bills, and the county is encouraging on-line payments.
And remember, you can always apply for Northumberland County programs, services, licenses, permits and more at Northumberland.ca/OnlineServices.
Procedures are in place for other vital services.
Ontario Works clients who normally receive payments by mail will be required to pick up social-assistance cheques in person at the Community and Social Services office in the county building at 555 Courthouse Rd., Cobourg. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Valid identification is required for pick-up. If you are unable to attend in person, you may designate someone to pick up for you, though a valid form of your identification and signed consent (to be kept on file) must be provided.
Those who have been receiving OW payments through direct deposit into a bank account will not be affected, nor will those who receive these payments via Reloadable Payment Card.
Clients are still required to report income changes and changes to their circumstances to their caseworker.
Should the Canada Post labour disruption continue past the December monthly payment date of Nov. 25, information will be provided to clients on alternate pick-up locations.
Child Care Fee Subsidy recipients can deliver documents in person to the county building on Courthouse Road, email them to their caseworker, or submit through the on-line portal. Details to register for the portal can be found at Northumberland.ca/ChildCareSubsidy
Northumberland County Housing Corporation or Rent Supplement or Housing Benefit program tenants and clients who might normally mail in information required for such things as rent calculations may see a delay during the postal disruption. Alternately, they can hand in documents in person at the county building to have them scanned and returned.
Waste bag tags, for the time being, can no longer be purchased on-line. You can find a list of places where they can be purchased at Northumberland.ca/BagTags
Provincial Offences Act fines can be paid in person at the Provincial Offences Office (860 William St., Cobourg) or on-line at Northumberland.ca/tickets. Fines can also be paid in person at any POA court in the Province of Ontario or by phone at 905-372-3329 ext. 5300 or toll-free at 1-800-354-7050 ext. 5300 – though clients are encouraged to attend the court office at 860 William St. With respect to any time-sensitive matter.