Discretionary benefits
Discretionary benefits may be available to those who require financial assistance to purchase various health related items that are not covered under other programs/benefits or to assist with one-time exceptional costs. Discretionary benefits are not intended to cover costs associated with ongoing payments such as monthly appointments, monthly rental payments or income supplements.
How to apply
If you are currently ongoing with Ontario Works, please contact your caseworker for more information.
If you are currently ongoing with the Ontario Disability Support Program, please contact Human Services for a Discretionary Benefits application form.
When completing your application, please have ready the items listed below for all family members over the age of 18 living with the applicant:
- Proof of address
- Proof of identification
- Professional referral/prescription
- An estimate for the item you are requesting
Please note: assistance with rental arrears or utilities is covered under the Homeless Prevention Program, not Discretionary Benefits.
Funeral services
Human Services provides financial assistance on behalf of deceased Oxford County residents who were in receipt of social assistance at the time of their passing, to cover the cost of a basic funeral, burial and/or cremation.
Human Services will pay a funeral service provider/cemetery operator to provide funeral, burial and/or cremation services and products based on our fee schedule.
This benefit is available for Oxford County residents who pass away while receiving assistance from Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
Eligiblity determination is completed with the Funeral director and a representative of the Human Services department. Families can speak to the Funeral Director to discuss arrangements.
Eligibility for assistance is based on the deceased individual’s assets (for example, life insurance, property) at the time of their death.
- The County must authorize services before a contract is signed.
- The County will not reimburse the cost of a funeral, burial or cremation after a contract is signed or services are carried out prior to the County’s involvement and approval.
How to apply:
If an Oxford County resident is receiving OW/ODSP at time of death:
Go directly to the funeral service provider of your choice. However, before making the funeral arrangements, the Funeral Director must be told that the deceased was receiving social assistance. The Funeral Director will contact Human Services to obtain authorization and ensure eligibility criteria have been met based on the current assets at the time of death.
If an Oxford County resident is NOT in receipt of OW/ODSP at time of death they are not eligible for assistance.
It is important you know that Oxford County Human Services:
- Must authorize services before you sign a contract with a funeral service provider or cemetery.
- Is entitled to recover the funeral costs from all sources available to the deceased person, and will be applying for the Canada Pension Death Benefit (CCP-D)
- Is open between 8:00am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. If the death occurs after hours or on a weekend/holiday, the funeral service provider can contact Oxford County Human Services on the next business day.
For more information, please contact Human Services at (519) 539-9800 x 3390 or humanservices@oxfordcounty.ca
Human Services is entitled to recover any money paid for funeral services from assets/income of the deceased person. For example, bank accounts, Canada Pension Death Benefit or life insurance.