Searching for Ontario Government Social Assistance Programs

• Provides short term financial assistance to individuals and families in need
• Offers Extended Health Benefits to qualifying individuals
• Provides support and assistance to program participants in meeting their participation responsibilities
• Provides information to recipients about participation requirements including seeking employment, basic education, volunteer work, or self employment

Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Assistance to Young Parents
• Computer and internet access
• Community Placement Program
• Employment counselling in various areas, including job searching and researching job opportunities
• Employment Resource Centre
• Employment related costs
• Employment Placement Program
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Service Canada job bank website
• Transportation costs
• Workshops to assist with Job Readiness, such as interview skills, resume writing, and cover letter writing

Provides financial assistance for basic needs (food, shelter, clothing)
Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Additional help for hearing aids and mobility devices
• Assistive technology
• Coverage for up-front child care costs
• Dental coverage
• Employment and Training Start Up Benefit
• Employment transition benefit
• Extended Health Benefit
• Guide dog benefit
• Help to pay for necessary home repairs
• Medical supplies
• Medical transportation
• Prescription drug coverage
• Special Diet Nutritional Allowance
• Transitional health benefit
• Vision care
• Work-related benefit

• Provides short term financial assistance to individuals and families in need
• Offers Extended Health Benefits to qualifying individuals
• Provides information to recipients about participation requirements including seeking employment, basic education, volunteer work, or self employment

Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Child Care
• Clothing Needs
• Community Placement Program
• Discretionary Benefits
• Drug Benefits
• Employment Resource Centre
• Employment Start-up Costs
• Enhanced Employment Placement Program
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Learning, Earning and Parenting
• Pay-Direct to Landlord
• Special Diets Allowance
• Transportation

• Provides short term financial assistance to individuals and families in need
• Offers Extended Health Benefits to qualifying individuals
• Provides support and assistance to program participants in meeting their participation responsibilities
• Provides information to recipients about participation requirements including seeking employment, basic education, volunteer work, or self employment

Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Assistance to Young Parents
• Computer and internet access
• Community Placement Program
• Employment counselling in various areas, including job searching and researching job opportunities
• Employment Resource Centre
• Employment related costs
• Employment Placement Program
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Service Canada job bank website
• Transportation costs
• Workshops to assist with Job Readiness, such as interview skills, resume writing, and cover letter writing

• Provides short term financial assistance to individuals and families in need
• Offers Extended Health Benefits to qualifying individuals
• Provides information to recipients about participation requirements including seeking employment, basic education, volunteer work, or self employment

Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Child Care
• Clothing Needs
• Community Placement Program
• Discretionary Benefits
• Drug Benefits
• Employment Resource Centre
• Employment Start-up Costs
• Enhanced Employment Placement Program
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Learning, Earning and Parenting
• Pay-Direct to Landlord
• Special Diets Allowance
• Transportation

Offers programs to financially assist those in need:

• Ontario Works (OW) - Provides financial assistance and employment and life stabilization supports to assist individuals with their basic needs and accommodation while focusing on obtaining paid employment. The Ontario Works Program also makes referrals to the Ontario Disability Support Program for those individuals with a health problem that prevents them from seeking employment.
  
• Emergency assistance is also available to people who are in a crisis or an emergency situation (e.g. people who have lost their homes, are leaving an abusive relationship and/or are worried about their safety)
  
• Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) - Assists those that are homeless or at risk of being homeless with financial assistance with rent or mortgage arrears, hydro, oil, propane or other items or services that may prevent homelessness.

Also an intake agency for the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP), a program that reduces the electricity bill of lower-income homes. Provides a monthly credit to eligible customers based on household income and size. Credit will apply directly to eligible customer's electricity bills.

• Provides short term financial assistance to individuals and families in need
• Offers Extended Health Benefits to qualifying individuals
• Provides support and assistance to program participants in meeting their participation responsibilities
• Provides information to recipients about participation requirements including seeking employment, basic education, volunteer work, or self employment

Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Assistance to Young Parents
• Computer and internet access
• Community Placement Program
• Employment counselling in various areas, including job searching and researching job opportunities
• Employment Resource Centre
• Employment related costs
• Employment Placement Program
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Service Canada job bank website
• Transportation costs
• Workshops to assist with Job Readiness, such as interview skills, resume writing, and cover letter writing

• Provides short term financial assistance to individuals and families in need
• Offers Extended Health Benefits to qualifying individuals
• Provides support and assistance to program participants in meeting their participation responsibilities
• Provides information to recipients about participation requirements including seeking employment, basic education, volunteer work, or self employment

Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Addiction Treatment Services
• Child Care
• Clothing Needs
• Community Placement Program
• Discretionary Benefits
• Drug Benefits
• Employment Resource Centre
• Employment Start-up Costs
• Enhanced Employment Placement Program
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Learning, Earning and Parenting
• Pay-Direct to Landlord
• Special Diets Allowance
• Transportation

• Provides short term financial assistance to individuals and families in need
• Offers Extended Health Benefits to qualifying individuals
• Provides support and assistance to program participants in meeting their participation responsibilities
• Provides information to recipients about participation requirements including seeking employment, basic education, volunteer work, or self employment

Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Addiction Treatment Services
• Child Care
• Clothing Needs
• Community Placement Program
• Discretionary Benefits
• Drug Benefits
• Employment Resource Centre
• Employment Start-up Costs
• Enhanced Employment Placement Program
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Learning, Earning and Parenting
• Pay-Direct to Landlord
• Special Diets Allowance
• Transportation

• Provides short term financial assistance to individuals and families in need
• Offers Extended Health Benefits to qualifying individuals
• Provides information to recipients about participation requirements including seeking employment, basic education, volunteer work, or self employment

Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Child Care
• Clothing Needs
• Community Placement Program
• Discretionary Benefits
• Drug Benefits
• Employment Resource Centre
• Employment Start-up Costs
• Enhanced Employment Placement Program
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Learning, Earning and Parenting
• Pay-Direct to Landlord
• Special Diets Allowance
• Transportation

• Provides short term financial assistance to individuals and families in need
• Offers Extended Health Benefits to qualifying individuals
• Provides information to recipients about participation requirements including seeking employment, basic education, volunteer work, or self employment

Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Child Care
• Clothing Needs
• Community Placement Program
• Discretionary Benefits
• Drug Benefits
• Employment Resource Centre
• Employment Start-up Costs
• Enhanced Employment Placement Program
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Learning, Earning and Parenting
• Pay-Direct to Landlord
• Special Diets Allowance
• Transportation

• Provides short term financial assistance to individuals and families in need
• Offers Extended Health Benefits to qualifying individuals
• Provides information to recipients about participation requirements including seeking employment, basic education, volunteer work, or self employment

Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Child Care
• Clothing Needs
• Community Placement Program
• Discretionary Benefits
• Drug Benefits
• Employment Resource Centre
• Employment Start-up Costs
• Enhanced Employment Placement Program
• Learning, Earning and Parenting
• Pay-Direct to Landlord
• Special Diets Allowance
• Transportation

Offers programs to financially assist those in need:

• Ontario Works (OW) - Provides financial assistance and employment and life stabilization supports to assist individuals with their basic needs and accommodation while focusing on obtaining paid employment. The Ontario Works Program also makes referrals to the Ontario Disability Support Program for those individuals with a health problem that prevents them from seeking employment.
  
• Emergency assistance is also available to people who are in a crisis or an emergency situation (e.g. people who have lost their homes, are leaving an abusive relationship and/or are worried about their safety)
  
• Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) - Assists those that are homeless or at risk of being homeless with financial assistance with rent or mortgage arrears, hydro, oil, propane or other items or services that may prevent homelessness.

Also an intake agency for the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP), a program that reduces the electricity bill of lower-income homes. Provides a monthly credit to eligible customers based on household income and size. Credit will apply directly to eligible customer's electricity bills.

• Provides short term financial assistance to individuals and families in need
• Provides support and assistance to program participants in meeting their participation responsibilities
• Provides information to recipients about participation requirements including seeking employment, basic education, volunteer work, or self employment
• Offers Extended Health Benefits to qualifying individuals

Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Addiction Treatment Services
• Child Care
• Clothing Needs
• Community Placement Program
• Discretionary Benefits
• Drug Benefits
• Employment Resource Centre
• Employment Start-up Costs
• Enhanced Employment Placement Program
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Learning, Earning and Parenting
• Pay-Direct to Landlord
• Special Diets Allowance
• Transportation

Provides financial assistance for basic needs (food, shelter, clothing)
Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Additional help for hearing aids and mobility devices
• Assistive technology
• Coverage for up-front child care costs
• Dental coverage
• Employment and Training Start Up Benefit
• Employment transition benefit
• Extended Health Benefit
• Guide dog benefit
• Help to pay for necessary home repairs
• Medical supplies
• Medical transportation
• Prescription drug coverage
• Special Diet Nutritional Allowance
• Transitional health benefit
• Vision care
• Work-related benefit

• Provides short term financial assistance to individuals and families in need
• Offers Extended Health Benefits to qualifying individuals
• Provides information to recipients about participation requirements including seeking employment, basic education, volunteer work, or self employment

Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Child Care
• Clothing Needs
• Community Placement Program
• Discretionary Benefits
• Drug Benefits
• Employment Resource Centre
• Employment Start-up Costs
• Enhanced Employment Placement Program
• Learning, Earning and Parenting
• Pay-Direct to Landlord
• Special Diets Allowance
• Transportation

• Provides short term financial assistance to individuals and families in need
• Offers Extended Health Benefits to qualifying individuals
• Provides support and assistance to program participants in meeting their participation responsibilities
• Provides information to recipients about participation requirements including seeking employment, basic education, volunteer work, or self employment

Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Child Care
• Clothing Needs
• Community Placement Program
• Discretionary Benefits
• Drug Benefits
• Employment Resource Centre
• Employment Start-up Costs
• Enhanced Employment Placement Program
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Learning, Earning and Parenting
• Pay-Direct to Landlord
• Special Diets Allowance
• Transportation

COVID-19 Response
For the latest updates on all District program and service impacts, visit www.muskoka.on.ca/coronavirus
or by calling 705-645-2100 or by email at info@muskoka.on.ca.

Regular Service
The Community and Planning Services Department has responsibilities for Community Services including Social Assistance, Children's Services, Housing (including Affordable Housing Programs) and Seniors Programs and Services.

Social Assistance:
Ontario Works is a form of social assistance and helps people who are in financial need. View separate record here.

Housing Division:

• Case Managers work one-on-one with homeless individuals to secure housing.
• Transitional Housing (Alex's Place) provides safe, affordable and supportive housing on temporary basis for young people aged 16 to 24 that are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. See website for more information.
• Social Housing Program provides affordable rental housing for people whose income prevents them from finding adequate housing in the private rental market (through rent-geared-to-income or subsidies).
• Offers the Rent Supplement program to tenants providing eligible applicants with a monthly Rent Supplement that is paid directly to their landlord.
• Offers Gateway Homeownership Program (Forgivable loan program to assist with down payment of affordable housing).
• Offers Ontario Renovates Program (Program for low and modest income households that provides funding for necessary home repairs, home accessibility modifications for persons with disabilities and for the purchase and installation of energy-saving products).
• Offers Capital Incentive Funding for developers, builders and home owners toward new homes for sale or personal use.

Housing Support Fund:

• Offers one time assistance to avoid arrears, eviction or secure permanent housing.
• Utility and mortgage assistance may be available for heat, hydro, water, mortgage, utility deposits or other one-time or unusual costs - check I Need Help - Emergency Assistance and Homelessness webpage for more information.
• Has a homelessness community worker to assist individuals with housing information, eviction prevention, rent supplement, and housing allowance programs.

Children's Programs and Services:

• The District of Muskoka is responsible for Muskoka's Child Care system. Offers programs, subsidies and information for parents and child care providers. In addition to Licensed Child Care Centres, there are options for licensed home based child care through the Muskoka Home Child Care Agency or through YMCA Simcoe Muskoka.
• Offers subsidized child care assistance to working or in-school residents in the form of a fee subsidy.
• Offers EarlyON Programs throughout Muskoka communities. For programming schedules and locations or to learn more, visit: https://www.muskoka.on.ca/en/community-and-social-services/earlyon.aspx.

Senior's Programs and Services:
The District of Muskoka's Seniors Programs and Services help support health and well-being, socialization, and community engagement for seniors in Muskoka. Provincially designated as a Senior's Mobile Active Living Centre, brings programming to various locations throughout Muskoka. For programming schedules and locations or to learn more, visit: https://www.muskoka.on.ca/en/community-and-social-services/Seniors-Programs-and-Services.aspx.

Community Hubs
There are three Community Service Hubs located throughout Muskoka:

• Gravenhurst: 141 Main St.
• Bracebridge: 70 Pine St.
• Huntsville: 1 King William St. Suite 5

Helps people who are in financial need.

Provides financial assistance, including:

• income support to help with the costs of basic needs, like food, clothing and shelter.
• health benefits for clients and their families

Emergency assistance is also available to people who are in a crisis or an emergency situation (e.g. people who have lost their homes, are leaving an abusive relationship and/or are worried about their safety).

A provincial program that provides income and employment supports to persons with disabilities who are in need of financial assistance.

Human Services assists residents looking for help with housing, early learning and child care, and financial assistance.
Ontario Works:

• Provides financial support for basic needs to eligible recipients
• Eligibility and the amount of assistance is based on family size, income, assets and living arrangements
• Other benefits may also be provided
• To apply by phone call 1-888-999-1142 or connect to www.ontario.ca/page/social-assistance for application
• Provides financial and employment assistance to people in need
• Focus on Stability Supports to help move individuals towards self-sufficiency
• Stability Supports include benefits to help cover rent or shelter expenses, supports and resources to help with training and education, enhance social inclusion and promote community belonging or address concerns of food security

KLH Housing:

• Housing provider serving Kawartha Lakes and the County of Haliburton provides eligible households with safe, affordable housing
• For more information on housing contact klhrequests@kawarthalakes.ca or call 705-324-9870 or 1-877-324-9870. To apply for housing contact applyforhousing@kawarthalakes.ca

Children's Services:

• Provides financial support for eligible applicants for child care services in a Ministry licensed child care program or private home and in an informal setting for recipients of financial support under the Ontario Works Act
• Agencies may also receive financial support through wage subsidies. Financial supports to agencies may also be provided to support the inclusion of children with special needs

Homelessness Services:

• Providing support and assistance to help with maintaining housing, help to find housing, help for Landlords, and help with emergency housing through a 19 bed emergency shelter (operated by A Place Called Home)

Learning Earning and Parenting for Young Parents (LEAP Program):

• A Social Service program for young parents 16 and over who do not have their high school diploma. Contact Case Worker for more information.

Employment Services:

• Most recipients of financial support must participate in employment related activities. These can include job searching, educational opportunities, volunteering, training and/or job retention programs
• There are also several financial supports to assist with participation costs
• Individuals who are leaving assistance because of work can continue to receive some benefits, including the drug benefit card and other supports, for between 6 and 12 months after going off assistance

Ontario Works offers:

• money to help individual and eligible family members with living expenses, including food (special dietary needs accommodated), and rent
• health benefits for individuals and eligible family members
• employment supports to find employment (workshops for resume writing, job counselling, job-specific training and basic education)

Amount of money received by eligible recipients of Ontario Works will depend on the individuals specific situation. In most cases, participation in employment-related activities is required in order to receive financial help. Individuals could receive up to $733 a month for basic needs and shelter if single.

Individuals may receive more than this amount for:

• benefits (additional money for transportation to medical appointments)
• other immediate family members (if individual has a spouse or child)

• Provides short term financial assistance to individuals and families in need
• Offers Extended Health Benefits to qualifying individuals
• Provides support and assistance to program participants in meeting their participation responsibilities
• Provides information to recipients about participation requirements including seeking employment, basic education, volunteer work, or self employment

Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Addiction Treatment Services
• Child Care
• Clothing Needs
• Community Placement Program
• Discretionary Benefits
• Drug Benefits
• Employment Resource Centre
• Employment Start-up Costs
• Enhanced Employment Placement Program
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Learning, Earning and Parenting
• Pay-Direct to Landlord
• Special Diets Allowance
• Transportation

Financial assistance and employment supports for all eligible participants to foster client independence while providing an opportunity to contribute to the community

• Provides short term financial assistance to individuals and families in need
• Offers Extended Health Benefits to qualifying individuals
• Provides information to recipients about participation requirements including seeking employment, basic education, volunteer work, or self employment

Participants can access a variety of programs and support services including but not limited to:

• Child Care
• Clothing Needs
• Community Placement Program
• Discretionary Benefits
• Drug Benefits
• Employment Resource Centre
• Employment Start-up Costs
• Enhanced Employment Placement Program
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Learning, Earning and Parenting
• Pay-Direct to Landlord
• Special Diets Allowance
• Transportation