Ontario Works
Ontario Works provides help to individuals and families who are in temporary financial need. It offers two types of assistance:
Financial assistance, to help with the cost of basic needs and shelter.
Employment assistance for ongoing clients to help find, prepare for, find, and retain a job; referrals to an Employment Ontario Service Provider will be completed.
How to apply
Call the Social Assistance Support Line at 1-888-999-1142, Monday to Friday, between 8:30am and 5:00pm, excluding holidays.
You can check the status of your application by contacting the Social Assistance Support Line.
The online application for Ontario Works is available 24/7 and is mobile-friendly. It takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete your application, and you must have an e-mail address to apply online. Please submit one application that includes you along with any immediate family members who live with you.
If you require short-term financial support and are experiencing a crisis or are in Ontario and not under the Canadian-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel act, you can apply online for Emergency Assistance.
If you do not have a fixed address, please use the address of the nearest Human Services office to complete your application.
You can also check the status of your online application, noting that you will need your application number in order to do so.
You will be required to meet with a Human Services Caseworker to follow up on your application. You will be required to provide documents in person at your local Human Services office within 30 days of your application to determine if you qualify for ongoing financial assistance and to identify any additional supports you may need. You will need to bring your spouse and any dependents over the age of 18 with you to the in-person appointment. The office you will receive assistance from is determined by your postal code.
MyBenefits
MyBenefits is a new online service available to all residents of Ontario who are active\social assistance recipients. MyBenefits is available on a 24/7 basis, allowing clients to see the status of all future payments and to report changes. Visit the MyBenefits website to register or to sign into your account. Recipients can opt for paperless communication in the MyBenefits app and receive all communications in real-time.
Program benefits
People receiving Ontario Works may be eligible for the following benefits
Eligible Ontario Works clients will be able to receive monthly prescription coverage by utilizing their Ontario Health Card for approved items.
If you need dental care, book an appointment with your dentist and advise you are in receipt of Ontario Works. He or she will assess the work you need and will then submit to Oxford County a pre-determination, of the work needed and an estimate of how much it will cost. Human Services will reply to your dentist to let him or her know what work is eligible for benefits. Preventative services (cleaning, scaling etc) are not covered. If you are not eligible for benefits under this program, there are other dental programs available:
Southwestern Public Health Dental Clinic
Canadian Dental Care Plan – this plan may approve items that Ontario Works can not cover
If you are interested in completing high school or taking a training course, your Caseworker will be able to discuss options and complete appropriate referrals.
If you are pregnant, nursing or have a medical condition that requires a special diet, you may qualify for a special diet allowance. Contact your caseworker to request a special diet form to be completed by your physician.
If you are in need of diabetic supplies, surgical supplies or a guide dog allowance, contact your caseworker.
If you have received social assistance in the last 30 days and you are no longer eligible for social assistance because your income has increased, you still may be eligible for extended health benefits. Contact your caseworker to find out more.
The Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP) covers eye examinations for people who are under 20 years of age or 65 years of age or older. If you are between the ages of 20-64 and receiving Ontario Works benefits, Ontario Works will cover the costs for routine eye exams once every 24 months. Simply advise the optician that you are in receipt of Ontario Works and provide your Ontario Health Card. If you need glasses or repairs to your glasses, have your optician fax Human Services a quote for your glasses. The quote will be reviewed, and the optician will be notified of what coverage can be provided.
An overpayment occurs when an Ontario Works recipient receives more social assistance than they are entitled to. When this happens, the recipient must pay back this amount.
Information will be provided detailing the amount that was overpaid, why, options for repayment and how to appeal.