What is Ontario Works?

Ontario Works provides financial and employment assistance to people in temporary financial need.  People receiving assistance through Ontario Works participate in a wide range of employment assistance activities, which help them prepare for, find, and keep a job.

 Who is eligible for Ontario Works?

To be eligible for Ontario Works, applicants must be residents of Ontario .

Eligibility for Ontario Works is based on an assessment of financial need and an agreement to participate in employment activities:

• Financial need is determined according to family size, income, assets, and shelter costs, and is updated as circumstances change. For example, a single person can only have assets (either cash or specific items that can be easily converted to cash) valued at up to $548. For families, the asset limit is higher.
• Participation expectations are laid out in an agreement, which is signed by each individual applicant and updated as activities are completed or modified.
• The agreement includes a plan to take part in employment assistance activities that support the individual's shortest route to a job.

 Eligibility rules are designed to ensure that people turn to welfare only when all other financial resources have been exhausted.

 Detailed information about eligibility for Ontario Works financial assistance and employment assistance is available in the Ontario Works Directives.

 How do I apply for Ontario Works?

 You can begin the application process for Ontario Works over the phone or in person at a local Ontario Works office. At the beginning of the application process, you will receive information about the Ontario Works program. You will also be told which information and documents may be needed to complete the application process, for example:

• Social Insurance Number
• Health Number
• proof of identity and date of birth
• employment history/information
• income and asset statements
• shelter costs
• status in Canada

The application process is completed in person at your local Ontario Works office. You will be required to complete and sign all necessary forms, including the application for assistance, and a participation agreement outlining the specific employment activities that support your best route to sustainable employment. You will also need to provide any required information and documents.

To begin the application process, please contact your local Ontario Works office:

Kirkland Lake and Surrounding Area
PO Box 310
29 Duncan Avenue North
Kirkland Lake , Ontario P2N 3H7
Phone: (705) 567-9366
Toll Free: 1-888-544-5555
Fax (705) 567-9492

Temiskaming Shores and Surrounding Area
PO Box 6006
290 Armstrong Street
New Liskeard , Ontario P0J 1P0
Phone: (705) 647-7447
Toll Free: 1-800-627-2944
Fax: (705)647-5267

Our helpful staff is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

When you call, please have the following information at hand for yourself and for each family member living with you:

• Birth Certificate
• Social Insurance Number
• Health Card Number

Am I required to complete a literacy screening questionnaire?

All Ontario Works applicants without Grade 12 (high school diploma) or equivalent without proof of a learning disorder are required to complete a literacy screening questionnaire. In addition, Ontario Works participants whose reading, writing, and/or math skills appear to be a barrier to employment may be asked to complete the screening questionnaire and/or be sent for an assessment. Some people haven't been able to obtain or keep a job because they do not have basic reading, writing and math skills. Literacy screening and training connects people on assistance with the help they need.

How does Ontario Works help people on social assistance find employment?

Ontario Works is focused on helping people find and keep employment. Ontario Works provides a range of employment assistance such as:

• Practical help in finding a job, such as writing résumés and letters of application and how to perform well in interviews, delivered through resource centres
• Community and employment placements to gain working experience
• Basic education and job skills training, such as keyboarding, forklift operating, chainsaw operating, hospitality
• Support in developing self-employment opportunities
• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) to help young parents finish high school, to learn more about being good parents and to get a job
• Literacy screening and training
• Addiction Treatment
• Earning exemptions that allow participants to earn income as they move back into the workforce

What are earnings exemptions?

In order to help people get back to work as quickly as possible, Ontario Works has earnings exemptions that ensure that people are better off working than they are on welfare.

Ontario Works earnings exemptions mean that earned income does not reduce financial assistance, dollar for dollar while helping participants make the transition to employment and self-sufficiency.

Starting August 1, 2005, the current basic and percentage exemption rates on employment income were replaced by a straight 50% exemption rate.

This means that no matter how much someone earns, only half of the employment income will be deducted from the Ontario Works payments. For example, if the net income from employment is $800, half of that amount, $400 would be deducted from the social assistance payment.

There are also three new employment supports that became available as of August 1, 2005 to help make the transition back to work:

1. If an Ontario Works recipient starts full-time employment, they may be eligible for a new full-time employment benefit of up to $500 to help cover their work-related expenses.

2. The maximum deduction for unlicensed child care costs have increased to $600 per month per child.

3. If someone leaves Ontario Works for employment, they will be able to keep their health benefits (including the drug card) for up to one year or until they get health benefits from their employer, whichever comes first.

Consolidated Verification Process

The Consolidated Verification Process (CVP) review is a standardized process used to verify ongoing eligibility for Ontario Works assistance. Both third party interface such Employment Insurance, Credit Reports, MTO Vehicle Registry, and file comparison results are gathered and used to determine whether a case will require a full review.

A full review for Ontario Works participants will include a face to face interview. A CVP review must be completed every 12 months.

Housing Grant Fund Assistance

In accordance with the Provincial Wide Rent Bank Programs, the DTSSAB created the Housing Grant Fund Assistance Program.

Housing Grant Fund Assistance Program enables the immediate provision of financial assistance to all eligible persons to help pay for rental arrears.

The following principles apply:

• Assistance is limited to payment of rental arrears.
• Assistance is issued in the form of a grant without a requirement to repay.
• The maximum assistance per household is equivalent to 2 (two) months’ rental arrears.
• Recipients are entitled to receive Housing Grant Fund Assistance only once within a two year period.
• Housing Grant Fund Assistance is issued where the danger of loss of housing or homelessness is clearly identified.

To begin the Housing Grant Fund Assistance application process, please contact your local Ontario Works office:

Kirkland Lake and Surrounding Area
PO Box 310
29 Duncan Avenue North
Kirkland Lake , Ontario P2N 3H7
Phone: (705) 567-9366
Toll Free: 1-888-544-5555
Fax (705) 567-9492

Temiskaming Shores and Surrounding Area
PO Box 6006
290 Armstrong Street
New Liskeard , Ontario P0J 1P0
Phone: (705) 647-7447
Toll Free: 1-800-627-2944
Fax: (705)647-5267