Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ontario Works?

Ontario Works provides financial and employment assistance when you are in short-term financial need. Ontario Works helps you gain the skills you need to get a job and become independent. You participate in different employment assistance activities to help you prepare for, find, and keep a job.

Ontario Works is governed by the Ontario Works Act.

What is considered income for Ontario Works?

Income includes:

• all wages, salaries, casual earnings, and amounts paid under a training program;
• all regular and periodic payments received under an annuity, pension plan, superannuation scheme or insurance benefit;
• all payments received under a mortgage, agreement for sale or loan agreement;
• all pensions or payments received under the legislation of any other country, or province;
• all payments for spousal support or maintenance received under a court order or an agreement;
• all payments received as a retainer from the Children's Aid Society for providing emergency care;
• payments received or available as a sponsored immigrant under the Immigration Act (Canada) or the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada);
• any payment received from the sale or disposition of an asset;
• cash advances from a credit card or line of credit;
• a portion of rent received, if renting out a property;
• a portion of money received, if providing lodging and meals to a person.

All payments received by or for you under the:

• Pension Act (Canada)
• Employment Insurance Act (Canada)
• War Veterans Allowance Act
• Civilians War Pension and Allowances Act (Canada)
• Quebec Pension Plan (Quebec)
• Canada Pension Plan (Canada)
• Old Age Security Act
• Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income Act
• Compensation for Victims of Crime Act
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Act
• all interest and dividends earned;
• proceeds of any loan (see Exemptions below); and
• the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS) portion of the Canada Child Tax Benefit

What if I have income? Am I eligible for Ontario Works?

You may be eligible for Ontario Works if you have income. Information such as your family size, housing costs, amount of income and assets, will be used to find out if you are eligible.

All income received must be reported, but some income types are exempt, meaning it does not reduce your Ontario Works benefits. For example, child support must be reported but it is fully exempt. Earnings are another example. Earnings must be reported, but if you have been receiving Ontario Works for longer than three months, only a portion of the earnings will be subtracted from your Ontario Works benefits.

What are considered assets for Ontario Works?

Assets include:

• cash,
• bonds,
• debentures,
• stocks,
• certificates,
• the cash surrender value of a life insurance policy,
• interest in property,
• interest in assets held in trust and available to the benefit unit, and
• other property which can be readily switched to cash.

There are some things which are not considered assets. Your Case Manager will tell you about these at your verification interview.

You will not be eligible for income assistance if the non-exempt assets of all members of your household are greater than the allowable asset limits.

Asset limits are the same across the province and are based on the number and type of dependents in the benefit unit.

The following table shows the allowable asset limits used to determine eligibility for assistance.

How do I Apply for Ontario Works:

STEP ONE

• Apply Online or
• Call 1-800-267-8146, and talk to an Intake Screening Clerk. They will ask for information such as your address, rent or shelter costs, income including support payments, loans and insurance, total bank balance, and the identity of family members.
• Be prepared to provide identification, social insurance numbers and health-card numbers for yourself and members of your family.

STEP TWO

Speak with an Intake Screening Clerk to schedule a Verification Interview for you to attend at your local Ontario Works office. If you apply online, you will be called to schedule this appointment.

STEP THREE

At the Verification Interview, you must sign several forms including:

• an application for assistance,
• an Ontario Works participation agreement,
• a Consent to Disclose and Verify Information, and
• a Rights and Responsibilities agreement.

You will work with your Case Manager to decide on work-related activities that best suit you and your goals. An Employment Information Session package which describes your participation options and other important information about the Ontario Works program will be reviewed with you at the Verification Interview.

You will also be asked to provide proof of your rent and shelter costs, show current bank statement(s), and state the earnings and assets for all family members. Depending on your situation, you may be required to provide other information that your Case Manager will discuss with you at your interview.

What documentation is required for my Verification Interview?

You must provide the following documentation:

• Date of birth, SIN number, and health card number
• Current address
• Contact telephone number
• Monthly rent/mortgage cost
• Landlord´s name, address and telephone number
• Mortgage payments and mortgages
• Monthly heat, hydro and water costs
• House insurance and property taxes
• Banking history for all family members' bank accounts
• Life insurance policy number
• Current pay stubs, if applicable
• Other income information (ie: CPP, EI, Child Tax Benefit, child /spousal support)

A list of the documents that you may need is available here.

What is an Income Reporting Statement?

When you become eligible for Ontario Works, you must declare any income or money you get every month on an Income Reporting Statement. The Income Reporting Statement is due to the Ontario Works office on the 16th of every month to avoid any delay in your benefits.

The amount of your financial assistance payment is based on the income you report on your Income Reporting Statement. All income received must be reported, but some income types are exempt, meaning it does not reduce your Ontario Works benefits. Your Case Manager can explain how different types of income affect the amount of assistance you receive.

If the Income Reporting Statement is not filled out correctly it will be returned to you and payment may be delayed.

Completing your income statement

A sample Income Reporting Statement is available here.

Do Not Forget...

• When returning your income reporting statement you must provide copies of pay or cheque stubs, unless you are told otherwise by your Case Manager.
• Declare any tips or bonuses that you receive. If you are unable to do this, please attach a note explaining what happened, to your income statement.
• If you have a spouse, or there is a spouse in your benefit unit, he or she must sign the income reporting statement too.
• Declare any gifts or loan income received.

How are earnings deducted from my financial assistance payment?

For the first three months
For the first three months on assistance, employment income is deducted dollar-for-dollar.

After three months
After three months on assistance, employment income will be deducted based on a calculated exemption amount and percentage of earnings. You must still report your full earnings on the income reporting statement.

What is Literacy Screening and Training?

If you have less than grade 12 education, you will be asked to do a literacy screening test. This helps the Case Manager figure out the best work-related activities for you. Activities may include referral to literacy and education programs, if applicable.

What is a Participation Agreement?

The Participation Agreement is part of the application for Ontario Works. It is a step-by-step plan to help you reach your employment goals. It is a list of work-related activities you agree upon with your Case Manager.

There are some exceptions. Each person must talk to their Case Manager if they feel they cannot participate in activities.

What if I Can't Participate?

Every adult is required to participate in one or more work-related activity.

The Case Manager may defer or restrict participation in activities for a short time. You may be deferred or restricted from activities if:

1. You are a sole support parent with at least one child that is not yet old enough to attend school.
2. You are a caregiver for a family member and the Case Manager is satisfied,

• that the family member needs care due to a disability, illness or old age, and
• The documentation provided proves that participation is not practical.

3. You are 65 years of age or older.

4. There are special circumstances that apply.

Discuss with your Case Manager any concerns you may have about your ability to participate.

Do you provide assistance for medication?

If you are eligible for Ontario Works assistance, you are also eligible for medical benefits. Medical benefits include assistance with prescription drug costs. The Province of Ontario decides which medications will be covered. You may also be eligible for medical benefits for up to 6 months if your Ontario Works assistance ends due to income from a job. Speak to your Case Manager for more details.

If you are not eligible for Ontario Works, you may be eligible for drug coverage under the Trillium Drug Program.

What other benefits are available to Ontario Works recipients?

There may be other benefits you are eligible for under Ontario Works. Some examples include:

Health-Related:

• Dental care for adults
• Vision care for adults and children
• Diabetic and surgical supplies
• Transportation costs for medical purposes

Non-Health Related:

• Clothing, grooming, transportation and child-care for work-related activities
• Training costs

Please contact your Case Manager to see if there are any other benefits or programs available to support your specific situation and needs.