Searching for Ontario Government Social Assistance Programs

COVID-19 (15 Mar 2021) Operating Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5 pm with reduced staff and service by phone and email. This information is regularly updated on their Facebook page.

Income Supports: Provides financial assistance and other benefits to eligible people with disabilities and their families

Supports and benefits available:

• accommodation
• basic living expenses
• prescription drugs
• basic dental care

Other supports and benefits may be available such as:

• eyeglasses
• hearing aids
• special diet allowance
• diabetic supplies
• ostomy supplies
• Extended Health Benefits
• surgical supplies
• emergency home repairs
• transportation needed to attend medical appointments
• guide dog allowance
• Upfront Child Care Benefit
• wheelchair/mobility device repairs and batteries

Employment Supports: (including job development and job retention supports)

• available to persons with disabilities who may or may not be receiving Income support, and require goods and services that will allow them to pursue their competitive employment or self employment goals
• employment can be part-time, full-time, or temporary
• students with disabilities who are seeking part-time employment while in school may also be eligible

Legal clinic

Services

• employment law and workers' compensation
• Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Supplement
• human rights and victims of crime
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Ontario Works
• Tenant Law

The Alexandria and Williamsburg locations are satellite clinics. Call for an appointment.

Legal clinic

Services

• tenant's rights
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• employment insurance denials
• Ontario Works
• employment standards
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

Income support

• provides eligible people with disabilities who are in financial need pay for living expenses, like food and housing
• drug card for prescribed drugs
• mobility devices, batteries and repair
• dental care
• vision care benefit and hearing aids
• health related benefits
• assistive devices
• guide dogs
• utilities
• employment start-up benefit
• child care costs
• mandatory special necessities -- includes diabetic supplies, surgical supplies and dressings, transportation to medical treatment if cost exceeds $15 in a month
• special diet allowance may be available

Employment supports

• helps people with disabilities who can and want to work prepare for and find a job
• provides goods and/or services to remove barriers to competitive employment and to assist people with disabilities to attain competitive employment goals available on a voluntary basis
• employment planning and preparation
• grooming costs
• skills training
• job placement
• self employment assistance
• adaptive technologies for training/employment
• books, supplies

COVID-19 (19 Apr 2022): all Employment and Social Services office are closed to the public. Social Services Hub activities remain closed to the public. Some services available in person. For all other services, staff will continue to provide telephone or email support Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm.

Ontario Works clients can go online at Ontario.ca/MyBenefits to get payment information, report income or make a change of address. For help to register, clients can call the InfoLine at 1-888-999-6130 or contact their case worker.

Financial and employment assistance for people in temporary financial need to help pay for basic needs such as:

• food
• housing costs
• certain furniture such as beds, cribs, high chairs and a stove or fridge where not provided by landlord
• prescription drugs

Financial assistance and employment supports including training and skills development, academic upgrading and work placements

Financial Assistance

• monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income
• monthly drug benefit card

Employment and Participation benefits

• covers costs related to starting a job or work placement
• Families with Children -- child care start-up costs
• Health-Related Benefits -- may include emergency dental services, eyeglasses, special diet allowance, health care supplies, medical transportation funds, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials

Employment Assistance

• clients 18-65 years who are not caring for pre-school age children or who do not have a serious disability or illness must participate in employment assistance activities

Community Participation

• volunteer placements
• Job Search Programs -- based on individual's skills, experience and circumstances
• Employment Placement -- job matching service
• Basic Education -- basic adult upgrading
• high school upgrading
• literacy and basic skills
• Job Skills Training -- development of skills for specific jobs
• on-the-job training
• Supports to Self-Employment -- referrals to self-employment programs

Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP)

• helps young parents finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268

• automated information and payment details, payment history, file status
• information and announcements about Ontario Works
• service not available to TTY users

Welfare Fraud Hotline 1-800-394-7867

• to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program assistance

COVID-19 (April 24, 2020): Municipal offices are closed to the public until further notice, clients for Community and Social Service (CSS) are asked to email or telephone their caseworker

Satellite office for Social Housing and Ontario Works

• financial assistance and employment supports including training and skills development, academic upgrading and work placements

Rent-geared to income housing registry-- applications for subsidized housing

Rent supplement program-- additional rent-geared to income units through private landlords

Investent in Affordable Housing for Ontario (IAH)-- programs: Housing Allowance, Ontario Renovates, Homeownership

Financial Assistance -- Monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income * monthly drug benefit card

Employment and Participation benefits -- covers costs related to starting a job or work placement

• Families with Children -- child care start-up costs
• Health-Related Benefits -- may include emergency dental services, eyeglasses, special diet allowance, health care supplies, medical transportation funds, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials

Employment Assistance -- clients 18-65 years who are not caring for pre-school age children or who do not have a serious disability or illness must participate in employment assistance activities

Community Participation -- volunteer placements

• Job Search Programs -- based on individual's skills, experience and circumstances
• Employment Placement -- job matching service
• Basic Education -- basic adult upgrading
• high school upgrading
• literacy and basic skills
• Job Skills Training -- development of skills for specific jobs
• on-the-job training
• Supports to Self-Employment -- referrals to self-employment programs

Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) -- helps young parents finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268 -- automated information and payment details, payment history, file status

• information and announcements about Ontario Works
• service not available to TTY users

Welfare Fraud Hotline 1-800-394-7867 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program assistance

COVID-19 (3 May 2021): all Employment and Social Services office are closed to the public. Social Services Hub activities remain closed to the public. For all other services, staff will continue to provide telephone or email support Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm.

Ontario Works claimants do not need to drop off documents, including income reporting statements. Those documents can be dropped off at a later date.

Ontario Works clients can go online at Ontario.ca/MyBenefits to get payment information, report income or make a change of address. For help to register, clients can call the InfoLine at 1-888-999-6130 or contact their case worker.

Financial and employment assistance for people in temporary financial need to help pay for basic needs such as:

• food
• housing costs
• certain furniture such as beds, cribs, high chairs and a stove or fridge where not provided by landlord
• prescription drugs

Delivers and funds programs and human services to Ottawa residents in need of:

• child care
• financial assistance
• employment
• housing services
• long-term care

Child Care: Parents and child care professionals can visit ottawa.ca/childcare or call 3-1-1 (select language and choose option 4 daycare) for:

• Information about children's services (types of daycare, search tools and other useful resources)
• Access to the City of Ottawa Child Care Registry and Waitlist to apply online for licensed child care (full fee and or subsidized for home-based, centre-based, school age or nursery/pre-school care)
• Help with daycare costs (subsidy) for families who qualify
• Planning for the EarlyON Child and Family Centres

Financial Assistance: Provides financial assistance for people who need temporary help with funds for food, transportation, housing/rent, medical, utilities and other basic needs through programs such as Ontario Works, Essential Health and Social Supports (EHSS) and Home Support Services.

Employment: Delivers employment programs and services to Ontario Works participants and the general public to help them prepare for, find and keep a job.

Housing Services: See separate record for details.

Long-Term Care: Operates four long-term care homes: Carleton Lodge and Peter D. Clark in Nepean, Centre d'accueil Champlain in Vanier, Garry J. Armstrong in Central Ottawa.

Services include:

• nursing and personal care
• therapy
• housekeeping
• food preparation
• recreational activities
• spiritual care
• social services

Also operates two adult day programs for seniors living in the community. These day programs provide respite care for caregivers and prevent premature admission to long-term care.

COVID-19 (3 May 2021): all Employment and Social Services office are closed to the public. Social Services Hub activities remain closed to the public. For all other services, staff will continue to provide telephone or email support Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm.

Ontario Works claimants do not need to drop off documents, including income reporting statements. Those documents can be dropped off at a later date.

Ontario Works clients can go online at Ontario.ca/MyBenefits to get payment information, report income or make a change of address. For help to register, clients can call the InfoLine at 1-888-999-6130 or contact their case worker.

Financial and employment assistance for people in temporary financial need to help pay for basic needs such as:

• food
• housing costs
• certain furniture such as beds, cribs, high chairs and a stove or fridge where not provided by landlord
• prescription drugs

Delivers and funds programs and human services to Ottawa residents in need of:

• child care
• financial assistance
• employment
• housing services
• long-term care

Child Care: Parents and child care professionals can visit ottawa.ca/childcare or call 3-1-1 (select language and choose option 4 daycare) for:

• Information about children's services (types of daycare, search tools and other useful resources)
• Access to the City of Ottawa Child Care Registry and Waitlist to apply online for licensed child care (full fee and or subsidized for home-based, centre-based, school age or nursery/pre-school care)
• Help with daycare costs (subsidy) for families who qualify
• Planning for the EarlyON Child and Family Centres

Financial Assistance: Provides financial assistance for people who need temporary help with funds for food, transportation, housing/rent, medical, utilities and other basic needs through programs such as Ontario Works, Essential Health and Social Supports (EHSS) and Home Support Services.

Employment: Delivers employment programs and services to Ontario Works participants and the general public to help them prepare for, find and keep a job.

Housing Services: See separate record for details.

Long-Term Care: Operates four long-term care homes: Carleton Lodge and Peter D. Clark in Nepean, Centre d'accueil Champlain in Vanier, Garry J. Armstrong in Central Ottawa.

Services include:

• nursing and personal care
• therapy
• housekeeping
• food preparation
• recreational activities
• spiritual care
• social services

Also operates two adult day programs for seniors living in the community. These day programs provide respite care for caregivers and prevent premature admission to long-term care.

Legal clinic

COVID-19 (November 9, 2021): We are currently not meeting with people in-person. We are holding meetings by phone. Please call us and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Services

• employment and work
• housing law
• income assistance
• tribunals and courts
• health and disability
• immigration law
• refugee law

Legal information

• abuse and family violence
• debt and consumer rights
• French language rights
• human rights
• criminal law
• family law
• help with lawyers and paralegals
• wills and power of attorney

Advice line for French-speaking clients

Services

• Immigration
• Housing (tenants only)
• Human rights
• Social assistance
• Ontario Works
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Employment rights

COVID-19 (3 May 2021): all Employment and Social Services office are closed to the public. Social Services Hub activities remain closed to the public. For all other services, staff will continue to provide telephone or email support Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm.

Ontario Works claimants do not need to drop off documents, including income reporting statements. Those documents can be dropped off at a later date.

Ontario Works clients can go online at Ontario.ca/MyBenefits to get payment information, report income or make a change of address. For help to register, clients can call the InfoLine at 1-888-999-6130 or contact their case worker.

Financial and employment assistance for people in temporary financial need to help pay for basic needs such as:

• food
• housing costs
• certain furniture such as beds, cribs, high chairs and a stove or fridge where not provided by landlord
• prescription drugs

Delivers and funds programs and human services to Ottawa residents in need of:

• child care
• financial assistance
• employment
• housing services
• long-term care

Child Care: Parents and child care professionals can visit ottawa.ca/childcare or call 3-1-1 (select language and choose option 4 daycare) for:

• Information about children's services (types of daycare, search tools and other useful resources)
• Access to the City of Ottawa Child Care Registry and Waitlist to apply online for licensed child care (full fee and or subsidized for home-based, centre-based, school age or nursery/pre-school care)
• Help with daycare costs (subsidy) for families who qualify
• Planning for the EarlyON Child and Family Centres

Financial Assistance: Provides financial assistance for people who need temporary help with funds for food, transportation, housing/rent, medical, utilities and other basic needs through programs such as Ontario Works, Essential Health and Social Supports (EHSS) and Home Support Services.

Employment: Delivers employment programs and services to Ontario Works participants and the general public to help them prepare for, find and keep a job.

Housing Services: See separate record for details.

Long-Term Care: Operates four long-term care homes: Carleton Lodge and Peter D. Clark in Nepean, Centre d'accueil Champlain in Vanier, Garry J. Armstrong in Central Ottawa.

Services include:

• nursing and personal care
• therapy
• housekeeping
• food preparation
• recreational activities
• spiritual care
• social services

Also operates two adult day programs for seniors living in the community. These day programs provide respite care for caregivers and prevent premature admission to long-term care.

Accessible space offering access to municipal, financial and social services including community agency supports, along with service navigation, crisis support and warm referrals.

Residents can access:

• Walk-in and scheduled appointments for services
• Safe and warm resting space and seating
• Washrooms
• Charging stations
• Public computers
• Wi-Fi
• Telephones

The following services will be offered on-site:

• Crisis support and referrals to community services
• Financial and social assistance
  • Ontario Works
  • Ontario Disability Support Program
  • Essential Health & Social Support
  • Child care fee subsidy application support
• Housing support and referrals
• Employment services (Employment Ontario)
• Somerset West Community Health Centre support staff

Legal clinic

COVID-19 (November 9, 2021): We are currently not meeting with people in-person. We are holding meetings by phone. Please call us and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Services

• employment and work
• housing law
• income assistance
• tribunals and courts
• health and disability
• immigration law
• refugee law

Legal information

• abuse and family violence
• debt and consumer rights
• French language rights
• human rights
• criminal law
• family law
• help with lawyers and paralegals
• wills and power of attorney

Provides financial assistance and other benefits to eligible people with disabilities and their families

Supports and benefits available:

• accommodation
• basic living expenses
• prescription drugs
• basic dental care

Other supports and benefits may be available such as:

• eyeglasses
• hearing aids
• special diet allowance
• diabetic supplies
• ostomy supplies
• Extended Health Benefits
• surgical supplies
• emergency home repairs
• transportation needed to attend medical appointments
• guide dog allowance
• Upfront Child Care Benefit
• wheelchair/mobility device repairs and batteries

Helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and maintain employment

Government program to help families of children with severe disabilities with financial support for the extra costs of care

Program may provide financial assistance with costs such as:

• travel to doctor's appointments, hospitals and other appointments related to the child's disability
• special shoes and clothes
• parental relief such as respite
• wheelchairs and other assistive devices, including repairs
• hearing aids and batteries
• prescription drugs
• dental and vision care, including eyeglasses

Amounts received will depend on family income, size, the severity of the disability and the extraordinary costs related to the child's disability

Government program to help children with developmental or physical disabilities to live at home with their families

Program helps families with financial support to help pay for special services in or outside of the home, as long as child is not receiving support from a residential program.

Funds may be used, for example, to:

• help the child learn new skills and abilities (e.g. improving their communications skills, becoming more independent)
• provide respite support to the family

COVID-19 (July 10, 2020): No in-person services at the moment

Individuals who receive Ontario Works or Social Housing benefits and who have been overpaid will receive a:

• letter that represents the amount that the recipient was overpaid and needs to pay back