Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is the actual funds and other financial benefits you will receive while meeting all other criteria. Financial assistance may include funds for food, shelter, clothing, a drug card for prescribed medication, back to school and winter clothing allowance, transportation for medical reasons . . . please see our financial assistance page for a complete list of other benefits you may be entitled to.

In order to receive financial assistance, you will be asked to develop a Participation Agreement with your Employment Case Manager showing what steps you will take to find a paid job.

The Participation Agreement is an important part of receiving assistance. You will work with your Employment Case Manager to change, or add to your level of participation.  

All applicants, spouses and dependent adults will have a participation agreement completed at the time of the verification interview.  All participation agreements will be reviewed and updated every three months.  Where an applicant, spouse or dependent adult refuses to sign a participation agreement at the initial verification interview, the entire family could be determined to be ineligible for assistance.  Where an applicant, spouse or dependent adults fails to sign a participation agreement the participant could be determined to be non-compliant and might not receive further assistance.  

The applicant, spouse or dependent adults are responsible for meeting participation requirements and for proposing a plan of action to which he or she will be held accountable.  

There is also money available to help you participate in the activities that you feel “best fit” your situation. When you find a job, there may be additional money to help you with the cost of starting the job. 

Community Placement

Community Placement includes volunteer activities to assist others within our community and to help you gain job skills and experience.  

Employment Placement

If you are job ready, you will be assisted through our placement program or if you are interested in starting up a business and have a business idea, you can be assisted through our Self Employment program.  

Employment Support

Employment support includes services and activities that assists you in finding employment such as individual job searching, Lifeskills Workshops, Basic Education / Literacy, and Learning, Earning and Parenting program.

Support Programs

We have support programs for people in need and Ontario Works participants, which include the National Child Benefit Reinvestment Fund, Family Support Services, Subsidized Child Care and Homemaker Services. 

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Copyright © 2004 
Ontario Works & Social Services

Last updated 27-05-05