Searching for Ontario Government Social Assistance Programs

Provides financial assistance and other benefits to eligible people with disabilities who are in financial need to pay for living expenses, like food and housing.
Health benefits including:

• prescription drugs
• dental care
• vision care
• medical supplies, including diabetic and surgical supplies
• transportation to medical treatment
• pregnancy and breastfeeding nutritional allowance

Extended Health Benefit may be available to clients who are no longer eligible for ODSP Income Support.
Disability-related benefits include:

• assistive devices including mobility devices
• vision and hearing aids
• prosthetics
• batteries for mobility devices and hearing aids
• guide dogs
• special diet allowance

Housing Stabilization Fund helps with rent and energy arrears, rent deposit and essential furniture.
Contact or visit the website for more details about ODSP benefits.

Program assists people with disabilities in finding sustainable, competitive employment or to helping to realize self-employment. A person does not need to be in receipt of ODSP in order to be eligible for Employment Supports.
Employment Supports Include:

• job preparation and job search assistance
• employment and training start-up benefit
• child care costs
• work related benefit
• transitional health benefit
• employment transition benefit

Transition Child Benefit is available for those not receiving the Ontario Child Benefit or the Canada Child Benefit.
Contact or visit the website for more details about ODSP benefits.

Program helps families who are caring for a child with a developmental or physical disability and provides respite support to the family.

Provides financial and employment assistance to individuals and families in need. Operates as a division of the Healthy & Safe Communities Department of the City of Hamilton.

Services include:
* Applications for Ontario Works assistance and emergency assistance
* Ongoing Ontario Works case management
* Connection to community agencies/organizations
* Employment counselling and referral

The Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) program is part of Ontario Works and managed by Children's and Home Management Services, another division of the Community & Emergency Services Department.

Ontario Works is a program of the provincial government that is delivered in Hamilton by the municipal government. Learn more about the provincial program at http://www.ontario.ca/socialassistance.

Provides financial and employment assistance to individuals and families in need. Operates as a division of the Healthy & Safe Communities Department of the City of Hamilton.

Services include:
* Applications for Ontario Works assistance and emergency assistance
* Ongoing Ontario Works case management
* Connection to community agencies/organizations
* Employment counselling and referral

The Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) program is part of Ontario Works and managed by Children's and Home Management Services, another division of the Community & Emergency Services Department.

Ontario Works is a program of the provincial government that is delivered in Hamilton by the municipal government. Learn more about the provincial program at http://www.ontario.ca/socialassistance.

A program that provides temporary financial assistance to individuals returning to the workforce

If you qualify, Ontario Works Halton can also provide:

Financial Assistance -- to help cover the cost of basic needs like food and housing

• you may also be eligible to receive other benefits including: prescription drug and dental coverage, eye glasses, diabetic supplies, moving costs and employment-related costs
• the amount received depends on family size, income, assets and housing costs

Employment Assistance -- help to prepare for and find a job including:

• education programs
• literacy training
• learning/earning/parenting (LEAP)
• job specific skills training
• employment placements
• community placements

Welfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program assistance

Program offers financial assistance to help individual/family with essential living expenses

• benefits, for individual/family, including prescription drugs and vision care
• help finding and keeping a job, and with career advancement

Program offers two types of support:

Income Support: financial assistance provided each month to help with the costs of basic needs, like food, clothing and shelter

• also includes benefits for clients and their eligible family members
• health benefits (prescription drug coverage, dental coverage, vision care, medical supplies, medical transportation, pregnancy and breastfeeding nutritional allowance, extended health benefit)
• disability-related benefits (assistive devices, additional help for hearing aids and mobility devices, guide dog benefit)
• employment incentives and benefits (employment and training start up benefit, coverage for up-front child care costs, work-related benefit, transitional health benefit, employment transition benefit)
• transition child benefit

Employment Supports: services and supports to help clients with disabilities find and keep a job, and advance their careers

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) automated information and payment details, file status 1-800-808-2268 (service not available to TTY users), Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm, Sat-Sun 12 noon-5 pm

Welfare Fraud Hotline to report suspected cases of social assistance fraud 1-800-394-7867 or welfare.fraud.css@ontario.ca

A program that provides temporary financial assistance to individuals returning to the workforce

If you qualify, Ontario Works Halton can also provide:

Financial Assistance -- to help cover the cost of basic needs like food and housing

• you may also be eligible to receive other benefits including: prescription drug and dental coverage, eye glasses, diabetic supplies, moving costs and employment-related costs
• the amount received depends on family size, income, assets and housing costs

Employment Assistance-- help to prepare for and find a job including:

• education programs
• literacy training
• learning/earning/parenting (LEAP)
• job specific skills training
• employment placements
• community placements

Welfare Fraud Hotline: 416-392-8980 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program assistance

A program that provides temporary financial assistance to individuals returning to the workforce.

If you qualify, Ontario Works Halton can also provide:

Financial Assistance -- to help cover the cost of basic needs like food and housing

• you may also be eligible to receive other benefits including: prescription drug and dental coverage, eye glasses, diabetic supplies, moving costs and employment-related costs
• the amount received depends on family size, income, assets and housing costs

Employment Assistance -- help to prepare for and find a job including:

• education programs
• literacy training
• learning/earning/parenting (LEAP)
• job specific skills training
• employment placements
• community placements

Welfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program assistance

Provides financial assistance to Six Nations band members

• financial assistance is made up of two parts - basic needs and shelter

Additional programs:

• Family Support Program - mandatory for all sole support parents and blended families with children from previous relationships
  
• Innovations - 4-week education, skills, and personal development program

This listing provides an overview of benefits from federal, provincial or territorial governments, and acts as an index to related listings in this directory

For a customized list of federal, provincial and territorial programs and services, see the Government of Canada's Benefits Finder
* does not collect or track information

For a customized list of provincial benefits and programs, see the Government of Ontario's Benefits Finder
* does not collect or track information


FEDERAL PROGRAMS:
For assistance with federal programs, see listings for Service Canada Centres here

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Retirement Pension
A monthly, taxable benefit that partially replaces income
* those 60 or older may apply if they have made at least one valid contribution to the CPP
* for more information, see separate listing here

May also qualify for the following CPP benefits:
* disability benefit is a monthly payment for those CPP contributors under 65 who have a mental or physical disability
* survivor's pension is a monthly payment paid to the legal spouse or common-law partner of the deceased CPP contributor
* children's benefits provide monthly payments to the dependent children of disabled or deceased CPP contributors
* death benefit is a one-time payment, payable to the estate or other eligible individuals, on behalf of a deceased CPP contributor

Employment Insurance (EI)
Provides temporary income support to eligible unemployed workers while they look for employment or to upgrade their skills
* also provides special benefits to workers who take time off work due to specific life events (illness, pregnancy, caring for a newborn or newly adopted child, caring for a critically ill or injured person, or caring for a family member who is seriously ill with a significant risk of death)
* for more information, see separate listing here

Old Age Security (OAS)
A monthly, taxable payment for those 65 and older
* amount depends on income and years lived in Canada or specific countries after the age of 18
* for more information, see separate listing here

May also qualify for the following benefits:
* Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) - for low-income OAS recipients living in Canada
* Allowance - for low-income legal spouses or common-law partners of GIS recipients, ages 60-64, who meet residency requirements
* Allowance for the Survivor - for low-income spouses or common-law partners, ages 60-64, of deceased GIS recipients

Veterans Affairs Canada
Provides income support and emergency funding to eligible veterans and their families
* for more information, see separate listings for Veterans Affairs Canada offices here


PROVINCIAL PROGRAMS:

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Offers monthly financial assistance with living expenses, including food and rent
* for Ontario residents 18 years or older who qualify financially and meet the definition of a disability
* for more information, see separate listing here

Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS)
Provides a monthly, non-taxable benefit to low-income Ontario seniors
* for those 65 and older, who meet residency requirements, and receive the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payments from the federal government
* for more information, see separate listing here

Ontario Works (OW)
Provides temporary financial assistance to people who are returning to the workforce
* for Ontario residents in financial need who are committed to finding and keeping a job
* for more information, see separate listings for Halton Region's offices here

An Ontario government program designed to meet the unique needs of people with disabilities and their families who are in financial need, or who want to work and need support.

The program has two parts:

• Income Support - provides financial assistance and other benefits to eligible people. This can include accommodation and basic living expenses as well as prescription drugs and basic dental care
  
• Employment Supports Program - provides goods and services to eligible people with disabilities to help overcome barriers to employment. This program is designed for people with disabilities who want to work but need specific supports to help them prepare for, obtain and keep a job in their community

A person with a disability who wants to work may qualify for employment supports even if they are not eligible for income support

Disease prevention and health promotion, providing a wide range of health and social services to the community

Programs offered:

• Home support/long term care - personal support, light housekeeping and relief services for seniors and disabled in the community
• Family support - prevention and intervention, counselling with adults, youth and children as well as parenting classes and other groups as deemed appropriate and providing an intake process to assist with internal/external referrals
• Community wellness workers - offers youth prevention, social education, community awareness
• Human service cook - provides breakfast program for the children attending LSK Elementary School and prepares the Meals on Wheels program for the elderly
• Ontario Works (Welfare/employment) - provides temporary financial assistance in company with employment counselling, support in life skills, and literacy to help reintegrate them into the work force
• Employment and training - services available: job board, internet access, resume assistance, job fax service, resource materials

Programs Available:

• Target Wage Subsidy
• Job Creation
• Training Purchase
• Employment Assistance
• Self-Employment Assistance
• Small Business Support Program
• Mobility Assistance
• Alter-Abled Initiative
• Youth Work Experience
• Stay In School Initiative

Financial and employment assistance to individuals and families residing in the City of Brantford and in Brant County who are in need

Assistance includes income support for basic needs and shelter for eligible persons as well as access to benefits such as:

• drug coverage for most of the cost of prescription drugs for eligible family members
• special diet requirements due to a medical condition
• pregnancy nutritional/breastfeeding allowance for coverage of dietary needs during pregnancy and for 12 months after delivery if breastfeeding
• health-related Items such as diabetic supplies, surgical supplies and, dressings, approved medical transportation of $15 or more per month, and a guide dog benefit
• employment-related benefits when starting a new job or employment assistance activity

Ontario Works Employment supports help you become job-ready. Service Coordinators can help you access employment supports and provide more information

If you receive Ontario Works assistance and are actively involved in an employment assistance activity or have started a job, you may also be eligible to receive assistance with related expenses

Eligible low-income Brantford and Brant County residents, and residents receiving Social Assistance benefits, can get help with the cost of funerals, cremations, and burials. Eligibility is determined on the deceased person's income and assets, not the family member who is making the application

The Waterloo Region Social Services Department (Cambridge Branch) provides resources on the topics of:

• Income Support (e.g. Ontario Works)
  
• Family Support
  
• Employment Services/Employment Resource Centres
  
• Special Services
  

Provides income support and employment support to people with disabilities in financial need, or who want and are able to work and need support * Ontarians 65 years or older who are not eligible for Old Age Security may qualify for ODSP supports if they are in financial need

Provides income support and employment support to people with disabilities in financial need, or who want and are able to work and need support * Ontarians 65 years or older who are not eligible for Old Age Security may qualify for ODSP supports if they are in financial need

Helps people with disabilities who are in financial need to pay for living expenses, including food and housing.

ODSP has two parts:

• Income Support: financial assistance for people with disabilities
• Employment Support: helps people with disabilities who want to work prepare for and find a job

Income Supports:

Health benefits -- prescription drugs, dental care, vision care

• medical supplies, including diabetic and surgical supplies
• transportation to medical treatment if cost exceeds $15 per month
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Nutritional Allowance
• Extended Health Benefit may be available to clients who are no longer eligible for ODSP income support

Disability-related benefits -- assistive devices including mobility devices, vision and hearing aids, prosthetics

• batteries for mobility devices and hearing aids
• guide dogs
• Special Diet Allowance may be available

Employment incentives and benefits -- Employment and Training Start-Up Benefit
child care costs

• Work-related benefit
• Transitional health benefit
• Employment Transition Benefit

Transition Child Benefit -- for those not receiving the Ontario Child Benefit or the Canada Child Benefit

Employment Supports -- job preparation, job search, starting a business

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268, Mon-Sun 24 hrs -- automated information and payment details, file status, service not available to TTY users

Welfare Fraud Hotline 1-800-394-7867, welfare.fraud.css@ontario.ca-- to report suspected cases of social assistance fraud

Provides emergency short-term financial assistance under the Ontario Works Act

Services include:

Ontario Works Assistance:

Financial assistance is provided to persons in need to cover their cost of food and shelter. Any individual over 16 years of age (with special circumstances to age 18) can apply for OW either over the phone or in person at the office. An office appointment is then made with a Case Manager within 4 working days. If the applicant is eligible, a cheque/direct bank deposit is usually issued within 3 to 5 working days after all documents have been supplied and verified

Employment assistance is available to all employable clients in receipt of Ontario Works assistance.

Components negotiated with the client and Employment Case Manager:

• Employment Supports - enables the client to take advantage of available community resources in order to improve their basic education, job-specific skills training, job search techniques and educational upgrading.
• Community Placement - provides the opportunity to volunteer in the community applying existing skills and developing skills, experience and contacts for future employment.
• Employment Placement - permits referral to job placement for those who have good technical skills but limited opportunities.
• Learning Earning and Parenting - for parents, up to the age of 25, who have not obtained their grade 12 education

Discretionary benefits are provided to eligible OW/ODSP recipients and their family members for health-related items.

Child care Fee Subsidy: - program helps families pay for licensed child care and approved recreation programs so that parents/caregivers can work or attend school. Families who qualify will have some or all of their child care costs covered

You may be eligible for help with child care costs:

If you live in Haldimand or Norfolk Counties and have a child (or children) under age 12 (or under the age of 18 if special needs exist), and at least one of the following applies:

• you are employed full or part-time
• you are attending school full or part-time
• you are retraining full or part-time
• you are a parent with special needs, or have a child with special needs, and have been referred by a professional
• you are a parent with therapeutic needs, or have a child with therapeutic needs and have been referred by a professional

Housing and Homeless Prevention Programs: Contact Homeless Intake Line - ext 3134

Visit COVID-19 Information and Updates for the latest on how to access programs and services during COVID-19.

Temporary income and employment assistance for low income individuals and families in immediate financial need. Requires a financial assessment to determine eligibility for services.

Employment Supports and Benefits

• caseworkers work closely with participants to develop individualized action plans that address unique needs
• participants guided through each stage and encouraged to stay on track
• employment benefits to assist clients in finding and starting a job

Additional employment supports include:

• basic educational upgrading
• English as a second language training
• job specific skills training
• job search assistance (resumé writing, interview preparation)
• access to volunteer and employment placements

Discretionary Benefits for recipients of Ontario Works assistance, or Ontario Disability Support Program assistance.

Other programs include:

• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) - for young parents, ages 16-25 years
• Self-Employment - training and supports to operate a business; delivered in partnership with Business Centre Guelph-Wellington
• Life Skills Case Management - intensive support for those who are experiencing issues related to addictions or mental health
• services for empoyers

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268, Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm, Sat-Sun noon-5 pm -- automated information, payment details, file status

Financial Assistance -- monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income

• prescription drug coverage under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program
• health benefits including medical supplies, sensory and mobility aids, medical transportation
• discretionary benefits may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials

Employment supports -- adult clients must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness, or caring for preschool children

• referrals to job counselling, training programs, basic education
• access to telephones, faxes, computers and job banks
• for more information contact caseworker or access additional supports by booking an appointment with closest Employment Ontario office

Housing Stability program -- provides financial and non-financial assistance to elegible residents of Peel Region to get or keep affordable housing

Past-due bills or rent -- help with utility bills or rent to avoid eviction, visit website to apply

Affordable Transit program -- for residents of Brampton or Mississauga who cant afford a monthly bus pass, visit website to apply

Income Supports:

Health benefits -- prescription drugs, dental care, vision care

• medical supplies, including diabetic and surgical supplies
• transportation to medical treatment if cost exceeds $15 per month
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Nutritional Allowance
• Extended Health Benefit may be available to clients who are no longer eligible for ODSP income support

Disability-related benefits -- assistive devices including mobility devices, vision and hearing aids, prosthetics

• batteries for mobility devices and hearing aids
• guide dogs
• pecial Diet Allowance may be available

Employment incentives and benefits -- Employment and Training Start-Up Benefit

• child care costs
• Work-related benefit
• Transitional health benefit
• Employment Transition Benefit

Transition Child Benefit -- for those not receiving the Ontario Child Benefit or the Canada Child Benefit

Employment Supports -- job preparation, job search, starting a business

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268, Mon-Sun 24 hrs -- automated information and payment details, file status, service not available to TTY users

Welfare Fraud Hotline 1-800-394-7867, welfare.fraud.css@ontario.ca-- to report suspected cases of social assistance fraud

Provides financial benefits through Ontario Works, as well as employment and social supports to people living in Toronto

Financial Assistance -- monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income

• provides money for food, shelter, and other household costs
• coverage for prescription medications under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program
• help with health costs and employment related expenses
• visit www.toronto.ca/ontarioworks for list of benefits

Health Support --includes medical supplies, sensory and mobility aids, medical transportation

• discretionary benefits may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials
• some benefits may be available to only those receiving social assistance, visit website for more information

Employment Assistance -- programs, services, and benefits for those seeking employment such as benefits for employment-related or training costs, costs related to starting a job

• Employment centres - walk-in job search centres
• Training Programs - programs to assist clients prepare for employment, self-employment or career advancement
• Employer Hotline 416-397-JOBS (5627) --for employers to post jobs
• clients 18-65 years must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness, or caring for preschool children

Child and Family Support - benefits include newborn child allowance, child care start-up costs

• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) -- helps young parents 16-25 finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment
• help in pursuing child or spousal support

Housing Stabilization Fund --help with rent and energy arrears, rent deposit, moving costs and essential furniture

Social Supports -- referral to community and government services including child care, housing, addiction supports, health and mental health services, food banks, legal services, supports for youth, seniors and persons with disabilities

Client Services and Information Unit 416-338-8888, option 3, then option 5 --information on Ontario Works, including legislation and procedures

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268, Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm, Sat-Sun noon-5 pm -- automated information, payment details, file status, service not available to TTY users

MyBenefits -- online service available to residents receiving Ontario Works to access information via smartphone, tablet or computer

Service and Benefit Finder -- personalized list of benefits for child care, employment, housing and living expenses

Welfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works assistance

COVID-19: Some services hae changed in response to COVID-19. See website for information and to apply online.

Helps people with disabilities who are in financial need pay for living expenses, like food and housing.

The program provides eligible people with disabilities with:

Income Support - helps people with disabilities who are in financial need pay for living expenses, like food and housing.

Employment Supports - helps people with disabilities who can and want to work prepare for and find a job.

If a person is receiving ODSP Income support, the individual and their family may be eligible to receive health benefits including prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, medical supplies, transportation to medical appointments.

Extended Health Benefit If someone does not qualify for ODSP income support due to excess income from other sources, they may qualify for the Extended Health Benefit. It may help with the cost of prescription drugs, basic dental care, vision care, medical supplies, transportation to medical appointments, assistive devices including hearing aids.