Social assistance
Learn how to get financial and employment assistance if you don’t have enough money for things like food and housing, or if you have a disability and are in financial need.
If there is a Canada Post labour disruption:
- we will not be able to send your cheque by mail
- we will not receive documents that you send by Canada Post
- payments made by direct deposit will continue
Contact your local office if you:
- need to set up direct deposit to get your payments deposited directly into your bank account
- need to sign up for a reloadable payment card, if available, so you can continue to get your payments
- need help signing up for MyBenefits to access your case information online
- have questions about other ways of receiving cheques
Ontario Works
To be eligible for financial and employment assistance, you need to be in financial need and be willing to work towards finding employment.
Ontario Disability Support Program
Your eligibility for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) depends on medical and financial circumstances
Start a new application Continue an application
If you need help with applying for assistance, please contact our Social Assistance Support Line Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (ET).
If you want to apply in person, please use the office locator to find your nearest office.
Emergency assistance
If you are in an emergency and you live in Ontario, you might be eligible for emergency assistance.
Apply for emergency assistance
Employment supports
If you are a person with a disability and interested in working, you can get help finding a job. Many supports are available to help remove disability-related barriers to employment.
You may ask ODSP staff for more information about how to access employment supports in your community.
People caring for children
Ontario Child Benefit
Find out how you can get the Ontario Child Benefit for low-income and moderate-income families.
To apply and receive the benefit you must apply for the Canada Child Benefit. When you apply for the Canada Child Benefit you are automatically assessed for the Ontario Child Benefit.
Temporary care 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.
You can apply for Temporary Care assistance: online or by contacting your local Ontario Works office.
Sign in to MyBenefits
Continue an application, report changes or get information about your Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program case.
This service is available to applicants, members and trustees.
Assistance with your application
If you need help completing your application or have questions, call our Social Assistance Support Line Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (ET).
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:
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (ET)
Protecting your privacy
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and your local Ontario Works office will use the information you provide to us to administer the Ontario Disability Support Program or Ontario Works.
This information is collected under the legal authority of:
- the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997, sections 5, 10, 45 and 46
- the Ontario Works Act, 1997, sections 7, 8, 15, 57 and 58
The information you provide is protected by:
- the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
- the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
- supporting directives and guidelines covering the collection and disclosure of personal information
You have the right to request access to your personal information and ask us to correct mistakes in your personal information.
If you have questions about how we collect and use your personal information, contact us:
Toll-free: 1-888-789-4199 from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.