Searching for Federal Government Social Assistance Programs

We provide free legal services for low income residents of Ottawa. We can help you with:

• Housing law (tenants or co-op members only - not landlords), like evictions and repairs
• Immigration law, like sponsorships, refugee claims, appeals and permanent resident status
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), like applying for ODSP and problems withyour benefits
• Ontario Works (OW), applications and problems with your benefits
• Workers'Compensation (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board)
• Employment Insurance
• Canada Pension Plan (disability benefits, retirement benefits and other)
• Old Age Security benefits and the Guaranteed Income Supplement
• Canada Child Tax Benefits

We also give legal information presentations to community agencies and members ofthe public and participate in a range of community development and law reforminitiatives that will positively affect the lives of the low income Ontarians we serve.

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

Services

• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits
• Social Insurance Numbers (SIN)
• immediate request for a Passport Service
• Veterans Affairs Canada Services

eServiceCanada Service Request Form

COVID-19 (8 June 2021) VAC offices and Service Canada centres are not open to the public due to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). You can continue to connect with us through My VAC Account secure messaging or by calling 1-866-522-2122 or VAC Assistance Service 1-800-567-5803.

Visit their website for more details.

Counsels and advises Veterans and their dependents concerning entitlement under Veteran's Legislation

• accepts and initiates applications for Veterans' benefits including health care applications, Service Benevolent Funds and trust funds
• provides information and referral services to social welfare and health agencies
• assessment of Veterans with physical or mental disabilities and placement in an appropriate treatment centre: Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre at 613-526-7170
• may provide financial assistance to veterans where services are not otherwise covered
• VAC Assistance Service: short term counselling and/or crisis intervention

Click here for the Benefits Payment Calendar

We provide free legal services for low income residents of Ottawa. We can help you with:

• Housing law (tenants or co-op members only - not landlords), like evictions and repairs
• Immigration law, like sponsorships, refugee claims, appeals and permanent resident status
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), like applying for ODSP and problems withyour benefits
• Ontario Works (OW), applications and problems with your benefits
• Workers'Compensation (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board)
• Employment Insurance
• Canada Pension Plan (disability benefits, retirement benefits and other)
• Old Age Security benefits and the Guaranteed Income Supplement
• Canada Child Tax Benefits

We also give legal information presentations to community agencies and members ofthe public and participate in a range of community development and law reforminitiatives that will positively affect the lives of the low income Ontarians we serve.

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

One-stop shop for citizens and businesses providing a simplified access to all public services and programs from the Quebec's government

• information about governmental services and programs
• administration of oath (sworn declaration, certified copy)
• Quebec Land Registry's services

Services to citizens (http://www4.gouv.qc.ca/EN/Portail/Citoyens/Pages/accueil.aspx

• DéClic Program: requests of birth, marriage or civil union, death certificates or copies
• Directory of programs and services
• Quebec Parental Insurance Plan
• SAAQclic
• Quebec's change of address service

Services to organizations http://www2.gouv.qc.ca/entreprises/portail/quebec?lang=fr

Temporary financial assistance and support in finding new employment

• able-bodied claimants must be seeking employment to remain eligible

Basic benefit rate is 55% of average insured earnings up to a maximum amount. In 2022, the maximum amount is $638 per week.

Family Supplement: for low income families who receive the Canada Child Benefit

• amount based on annual net family income up to $25,921 and on the number of children in the family and their ages
• entitlement will be added to EI payment

Special Benefits:

• sickness benefits
• compassionate care
• benefits for the self-employed
• benefits for Canadians living abroad
• family caregiver benefit for children
• family caregiver benefit for adults
• fishing benefits

Maternity or parental benefits

• 15 weeks maternity benefits
• 35 week standard parental benefits which can be shared by the two parents (children born or adopted)
• 61 weeks extended parental benefits which can be shared by both parents (children born or adopted

For information from Employment and Social Development Canada regarding the Employment Insurance sickness benefits for those affect by COVID-19: Click Here

• for individuals without access to the Internet, or facing other barriers, a Service Canada Outreach Support Centre is available by phone at 1-877-355-2657 Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 4 pm

Old Age Security (OAS)

Monthly pension to persons 65 or over regardless of income or assets

• must be legal resident of Canada for at least 40 years to receive full pension
• also full pension for persons who were 25 years or older as of July 1, 1977, and who resided in or had a visa to enter Canada that was valid on that date, or who had resided legally in Canada prior to that date and after reaching age 18, and who resided in Canada immediately before approval of the application

Guaranteed Income Supplement

Supplement added monthly to Old Age Security for those with limited or no income

• amount of supplement is adjusted quarterly
• reapply when income taxes are filed (end of April)
• not payable outside Canada beyond a period of 6 months regardless of how long the person lived in Canada

Allowance

Monthly allowance for spouses 60-64 years of Old Age Security pensioners receiving Guaranteed Income Supplement

• based on combined income of the couple
• allowance is adjusted quarterly
• residence requirements
• proof of age required
• reapply when income taxes are filed (end of April)

Allowance for the Survivor

Monthly allowance for widowed spouses 60-65 years

• death, marriage and applicant's birth certificate required
• based on limited or no income
• deceased spouse need not have received Old Age Security
• apply when income taxes are filed (end of April)

Some seniors might not be able to afford their rent consider referring them to Home - Community Legal Services of Ottawa / or to the Services juridiques - CSC Vanier immediately for assistance

Programs of Human Resources and Social Development Canada, delivered by Service Canada)

Click here for the Benefits Payment Calendar

Individuals who have lived or worked in Canada and in another country, or are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Canada and in another country may be eligible for pensions and benefits from Canada and/or from the other country because of a social security agreement

• an international agreement between Canada and another country that is designed to coordinate the pension programs of the two countries for people who have lived or worked in both countries
• helps individuals qualify for benefits by allowing them to combine periods of contribution or periods of residency in Canada with periods of contribution or periods of residency in the other country to meet the minimum eligibility criteria
• can also reduce or eliminate restrictions based on citizenship or on payment of pensions abroad
• the requirements under the social security agreements vary from agreement to agreement
• for more information, see website

In person service is available at local Region of Halton Service Canada Centres:

• Burlington
• Georgetown
• Milton
• Oakville

We provide free legal services for low income residents of Ottawa. We can help you with:

• Housing law (tenants or co-op members only - not landlords), like evictions and repairs
• Immigration law, like sponsorships, refugee claims, appeals and permanent resident status
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), like applying for ODSP and problems withyour benefits
• Ontario Works (OW), applications and problems with your benefits
• Workers'Compensation (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board)
• Employment Insurance
• Canada Pension Plan (disability benefits, retirement benefits and other)
• Old Age Security benefits and the Guaranteed Income Supplement
• Canada Child Tax Benefits

We also give legal information presentations to community agencies and members ofthe public and participate in a range of community development and law reforminitiatives that will positively affect the lives of the low income Ontarians we serve.

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

Legal clinic

Services

• legal representation
• summary advice and brief services
• immigration law
• housing law
• family law
• income maintenance (social assistance, employment insurance)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

Services are offered in French only.

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• internet access

Assistance locating and applying for government programs including

• Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security
• passports
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
• Canada Education Savings Grant
• others

Student/youth employment services available May-August through Service Canada Centres for Youth -- see separate entry

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits
• Social Insurance Numbers (SIN)
• immediate request for a Passport Service
• Veterans Affairs Canada Services

eServiceCanada Service Request Form

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• internet access
• labour market information

Assistance locating and applying for

• Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance Numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security
• passports
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
• Canada Education Savings Grant
• Pleasure Craft Licences
• others

Unemployment benefits office and employment information
• forms Available: Social Insurance Number
• Birth Certificate (applications only)
• Marriage License
• Income Security Programs (applications CPP
• OAS and other relative to ISP Documents)

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits
• Social Insurance Numbers (SIN)
• immediate request for a Passport Service
• Veterans Affairs Canada Services

eServiceCanada Service Request Form

Legal clinic (Perth, Shabot Lake, Brockville)

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

This clinic serves Lanark County, the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville, the Townships of North and Central Frontenac, and the Township of Addington Highlands.

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits
• Social Insurance Numbers (SIN)
• immediate request for a Passport Service
• Veterans Affairs Canada Services

eServiceCanada Service Request Form

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• internet access
• labour market information

Assistance locating and applying for:

• Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance Numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
• Canada Education Savings Grant
• others

COVID-19 (August 17, 2021): We urge you not to visit Service Canada Centres unless absolutely necessary.

Services

• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits
• Social Insurance Numbers (SIN)
• immediate request for a Passport Service
• Veterans Affairs Canada Services

eServiceCanada Service Request Form

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits
• Social Insurance Numbers (SIN)
• immediate request for a Passport Service
• Veterans Affairs Canada Services

eServiceCanada Service Request Form

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• internet access

Assistance locating and applying for government programs:

• Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security
• passports
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
• Canada Education Savings Grant
• others

Student/youth employment services available May-August through Service Canada Centres for Youth -- see separate entry

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.