Overview

If you are eligible to receive financial assistance from Ontario Works, you will receive a monthly payment. The amount you receive depends on your living situation.

If you rent or own your own home, your monthly payment will include two parts:

  • basic needs
  • shelter allowance

The amount you can receive for your financial assistance is $733 a month and may be adjusted based on your situation.

Find out if you are eligible for Ontario Works.

Basic needs

The basic needs portion of your Ontario Works financial assistance is meant to help cover the cost of:

  • food
  • clothing
  • other necessary personal items

The amount you receive for basic needs is based on the:

  • number of people in your family
  • age of your family members

Shelter allowance

The shelter allowance is meant to help cover:

  • your rent or your mortgage payment
  • heat
  • utilities (hydro, water)
  • property taxes
  • home insurance
  • condominium fees

The amount you receive for the shelter allowance is based on your actual shelter costs, up to a maximum, depending on the number of people in your family.

Board and lodging living situations

If you receive food and shelter from the same source, you will receive the Ontario Works Board and Lodging amount.

For example, you are in a board and lodging situation if either:

  • you live with your parents and they buy and prepare food for you
  • your landlord buys and prepares food for you

The amount you receive depends on the:

  • number of people in your family
  • age of your family members

For Northern Ontario residents

If you live in Northern Ontario, you may receive an additional amount of money if you:

  • live north of the 50th parallel
  • don't have year-round road access

This is called the Remote Communities Allowance. You will receive this allowance whether you are renting, own your home or are living in a board and lodging arrangement.