Kimberly Rogers

Kimberly Rogers (c. 1961 — 9 August 2001) was a Canadian whose death in 2001, while under house arrest for welfare fraud, caused extensive controversy around Ontario Works (the Ontario government's welfare system). Rogers' death led to an inquest which recommended significant changes to the Ontario welfare system.

A resident of Sudbury, Rogers, who was unable to work full-time due to health issues, was receiving standard Ontario welfare benefits of $520 per month, while paying $450 per month in rent. From 1996 to 1999, she also received a total of $49,000 in student loans from the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) to study social services at the city's Cambrian College. Rogers was described as a dedicated and committed student, who graduated with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5.

When Rogers first began her studies, receiving both welfare and student loans was entirely legal, and in fact even encouraged as a strategy to help welfare recipients return to the workforce — but the practice was banned in 1996 by the Progressive Conservative government of Mike Harris as part of its welfare reform legislation. There was no evidence that Rogers was ever informed of the change in welfare regulations.

In the fall of 1999, the welfare office learned of her student loans, and ordered Rogers to repay $13,486 in benefits. With the overpayment automatically deducted from her monthly welfare cheque, Rogers was left with just $18 each month after paying her rent. As well, she was facing criminal charges for welfare fraud.