Ontario Works

Overview

If you need financial assistance for food and housing, and are in financial need, you can apply for financial and employment assistance through Ontario Works.

Ontario Works offers:

• money to help you and your eligible family members with living expenses, including food, and rent
• health benefits for you and your eligible family members
• employment supports to help you find and keep a job (such as workshops for resume writing, job counselling, job-specific training and basic education)

If you are eligible for Ontario Works, the amount of money you get will depend on your specific situation. In most cases, you must participate in employment-related activities to receive financial help.

You could receive up to $733 a month for basic needs and shelter if you are single.

You may receive more than this for:

• benefits (for example, you might get additional money for transportation to medical appointments)
• other immediate family members (for example, if you have a spouse or child you will receive a larger amount)

How to apply for Ontario Works

You can apply for Ontario Works:

• online: Follow the steps below to apply for Ontario Works online. It takes 20 to 30 minutes. Submit one application for you and your immediate family members who live with you
• over the phone by calling the Social Assistance Support Line Toll-free: 1-888-999-1142 or Toll-free TTY: 1-800-387-5559.
• through your local Ontario Works office in person or by phone

Before you apply for Ontario Works

Make sure all family members included in your application are with you when you fill out the form so they can provide their consent and confirm their information. Have your family’s identification and tax documents ready, such as:

• social insurance numbers (SIN)
• OHIP cards
• birth certificates
• immigration papers
• tax returns
• banking information

Technical requirements to apply online

To complete the application online, you will need the latest version of one of these web browsers:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Safari
• Microsoft Edge

Step 1: fill in your personal information

You will be asked to fill out your family’s:

• full legal names, dates of birth and status in Canada
• address
• email addresses (for all family members 18 and older)
• total monthly income and assets
• housing costs
• other expenses, such as child care
• bank account information (if you have one) to get your payment quickly through direct bank deposit

Once complete, submit your application.

Step 2: Ontario Works reviews your application

A caseworker from your local Ontario Works office will review your application and call you within four business days of submitting your application to schedule an appointment. This does not include weekends and holidays.

Step 3: meet with Ontario Works to sign and verify your application

Meet with an intake caseworker for your verification appointment.

The caseworker might ask you to provide more information, like copies of bills or other documents, so we can verify the information you included in your application.

This could include:

• proof of any income or employment
• shelter costs and proof of residency in Ontario
• bank statements covering a minimum of one month prior to the application date
  • Depending on circumstances, up to 12 months may be required.
  • To avoid potential delays, please come prepared with any additional statements available to you from your financial institution at no additional cost.
  • If you use online banking, most financial institutions provide access to free electronic statements for several years.  
• information on any other assets you may have, such as stocks, bonds or investments.

You may also be asked to sign your application package if you have not signed it electronically, including a consent form to allow Ontario Works to access information about you from other government programs or organizations (for example, the Ministry of Transportation, Employment Insurance, Equifax Canada). This information will help to determine if you qualify for assistance.

If Ontario Works determines that you are not financially eligible, you will have 30 days to request that Ontario Works review your information again.

Step 4: get approved and receive your payment

Once the caseworker receives all the information they need, they will tell you within four business days if your application has been approved and how much you may receive.

Step 5: develop a plan

Your caseworker will contact you to schedule an appointment to develop a plan for you to participate in employment-related activities, unless you have specific circumstances that prevent this, such as an illness or caregiving responsibilities.

Check the status of your application

If you applied online

You can check the status of your application after you submit it online. This digital feature is available to most applicants.

To check the status of your online application, you will need your application number.

Your application number is in the email we sent you if you submitted your application online. It is also displayed on the confirmation page after you submit your application.

Check the status of your online application

If you applied in person or by phone

You can find out the status of your application by contacting the Social Assistance Support Line at:

Toll-free: 1-888-999-1142 
Toll-free TTY: 1-800-387-5559

Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (ET)

Internal reviews and appeals

If you disagree with a decision about your Ontario Works case or application, you can ask for an internal review and may be able to appeal a decision through the Social Benefits Tribunal.

Sign in to MyBenefits

Continue an application, report changes or get information about your Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program case.

Sign in to MyBenefits

Ontario Works forms

If you are applying to Ontario Works or are receiving income support through the program, your Ontario Works caseworker may ask you to submit one or more of the following forms:

• Application for Assistance under the Ontario Works Act, Income Support under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act
• Business Assets Review
• Rights and Responsibilities Ontario Works
• Vehicle Trip Log

Ontario Works payment dates

Ontario Works issues income support payments monthly.

To help you get your income support for the beginning of each month, payments are on the last business day of the previous month.

Ontario Works office locations

Use the social assistance office locator to get contact information for your local office.

Policy directives

You can read the policy directives which provide the requirements and guidance for the administration of the program.

Related

• Learn about Social Assistance programs
• Learn more about Ontario Disability Support Program
• Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities
• Social assistance and caseload statistics
• Tell us about your experience
• Report suspected social assistance fraud