Emergency Assistance helps people who are in a crisis or who have experienced an emergency, such as a flood or a fire, or who are concerned for their safety. Emergency assistance is a temporary, two-week period of financial assistance.

If you are an adult and you are temporarily responsible for the care of a child who is in financial need, you may be eligible for temporary care assistance on their behalf.

Temporary Care Assistance helps temporary caregivers of children who are under the age of 18 who are not living with their parents.

If you are a young parent, the LEAP program helps you get your high school diploma and learn more about job skills and parenting.

Ontario Works helps people meet basic needs, including shelter and other expenses (e.g., drug and dental coverage). Ontario Works also supports your efforts to find work.

When you apply for Ontario Works or are receiving financial assistance through the program, you need to keep us up to date so we can make sure you remain eligible and are getting the right amount of financial assistance. This is important since your situation may change over time.

To qualify for Ontario Works financial assistance, you must:

1. be an Ontario resident
2. have assets no greater than the limits set out in the program
3. be in financial need
4. participate in employment activities

To see if you are financially eligible, we will look at your circumstances, including your income and assets, living expenses, family size and make-up and shelter costs.

By Phone

Call the provincial Intake and Benefits Administration Unit at 1-888-999-1142 to complete your application. This service is available 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. This process takes approximately one hour to complete.

If you are under the age of 18, need a Trustee or seeking short-term one-time emergency assistance, please call the local office at 613-342-3840 ext. 2129. Toll Free: 1-800-267-8146

In Person

Please use the office locator to find your nearest office.

Online

Visit Ontario.ca/page/social-assistance to apply.

What to Have Ready Before You Start

• Birth Certificate(s)
• Social Insurance Numbers(s)
• Health Card Number(s)
• Immigration details (if you were not born in Canada)
• Cost of living (including rent, heat and hydro)
• Bank account details
• Employment details (if you are working or have lost your job)
• Earning and/or income details

The Document Checklist may help you in gathering the information you need to answer questions on the application.

Your Rights:

As an applicant for Ontario Works, you have the right to:

• An application interview;
• Bring a person of your choice with you to the interview;
• A timely decision on your eligibility for Ontario Works assistance;
• Written notice of the eligibility decision;
• The chance to have decisions reviewed.

Your Responsibilities:

To stay eligible for Ontario Works, you are expected:

• Attend meetings with your Case Manager.
• Respond quickly when your Case Manager asks you for information.
• Report changes in your living arrangements, income, assets, and any other changes.
• Repay all overpayments.
• Report income every month using the Income Reporting Statement.
• Contact your Case Manager when you have questions or concerns.
• Sign a Participation Agreement (see heading: "Participation ")
• Take part in activities to help you get work.

If you are eligible, you may receive a monthly amount for your basic needs and shelter costs. You may also receive assistance for costs related to health, training, finding work, etc.

Ontario Works payments will be deposited directly into your bank account. You will be notified of the payment either by mail or electronically.

Once you are eligible, you will need to report any income or money you get each month. You do not have to declare child tax credit, GST, or income-tax rebates.

You will need to report your income by the 16^th day of each month. If you do not report your income by that date there may be a delay in your Ontario Works payment.

Your Case Manager will go over how to report your income.

You, your spouse/partner, and any adults living with you who are 18 years and older must take part in work-related activities to stay eligible for Ontario Works. Activities are based on your skills and goals. This is not required for Emergency Assistance or Temporary Care Assistance. You agree upon the activities and how much you participate with your Case Manager.

Activities may include:

• Community activities, like volunteering.
• Work-related activities, like job search workshops.
• Basic education and job-specific skills training.
• Finding and keeping work.

You will need to sign a Participation Agreement to stay eligible. This is a plan to help you reach your job goals, and includes work-related activities you agree upon with your Case Manager.

There are some exceptions for participation. Please talk to your Case Manager if you feel you cannot take part in activities.

If you, your spouse, or dependent adult does not meet a condition of eligibility, your assistance may be suspended, reduced or cancelled. You have the right to appeal any decision that suspends, reduces or cancels your assistance.

Step 1: Request an Internal Review

• Submit in writing: You can fill out a form (available at all offices) or write a letter stating that you wish to appeal.
• Submit in person: Hand your written request into any of our offices.
• Submit by mail:
  Ontario Works Office
  25 Central Ave. W, Suite 200
  Brockville, ON K6V 4N6
• Timeline: The review will be completed within 30 business days. You will receive the decision in writing, which will confirm, change, or reverse the original decision.

Step 2: Appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT)

• Prerequisite: You must complete the internal review with our office before you can appeal to the SBT.
• Timeline: You must file your appeal within 30 days of receiving your internal review decision.
• Eligible Decisions: You can only appeal decisions regarding:
  • Assistance for basic needs and shelter that has been denied, suspended, reduced, or cancelled
  • Mandatory Benefits (e.g., medical transportation, drug coverage)
  • Overpayments
• Note: Review decisions regarding Discretionary Benefits are final and cannot be appealed to the SBT.

How to Submit an SBT Appeal

• Get a form: Application forms are available at your local office or online at the Social Benefits Tribunal website.
• Submit by mail:
  Social Benefits Tribunal
  15 Grosvenor Street, Ground Floor
  Toronto, ON M7A 2G6
• Contact the SBT: Toll-Free Number: 1-800-753-3895

While most Ontario Works recipients truly need the benefits and supports provided by the program, there are some cases of dishonest access to social assistance programs. If you suspect Welfare Fraud, you can report it in any of the following ways:

Email: welfare.fraud.css@ontario.ca

Phone: 1-800-394-7867 Fax: 1-866-681-3154

Mail to:

Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services
Welfare Fraud Hotline
Box 333
Toronto ON M7A 1E9

OR

Community and Social Services
25 Central Ave. W. Suite 200
Brockville, ON K6V 4N6

Please note that staff cannot talk about the details of a fraud investigation with the person who filed the complaint.