Social Assistance - Ontario Works

http://fr.prescott-russell.on.ca/services/services_sociaux/aide_sociale___ontario_au_travail/

Social Assistance - Ontario Works

MyBenefits

MyBenefits is a new online service for social assistance recipients.

The service is available to residents of Prescott-Russell who are active Social Assistance clients. It is available on a 24/7 basis allowing clients to see the status of all future payments and to report changes through their desktop, tablet, or cellphone.

MyBenefits Computer Screen and Cellphone Images

With MyBenefits, you can:

  • Check payment history and view a breakdown and status of each payment
  • Report income from a job or an online program
  • Report address changes
  • View profile information (e.g. phone number, email, household members)
  • View letters over the last 12 months

How Do I Sign Up?

Register today at Mybenefits

To register, you need:

  • You will need your Member ID
  • Use the same email address recorded in your Ontario Works file
  • Your date of birth

For additional information, please contact your Case Manager.

Social Assistance - Ontario Works

The Social Services Department administers the Ontario Works Program by providing income and employment assistance for people in temporary financial need. Eligibility will depend on your circumstances. The amount depends on your family size, accommodation costs, your income and assets and your willingness to participate in approved activities.

For more information visit the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services website for more details on any changes.

New method to reach us - general email

You can now reach your local office by email thanks to our new general local office email addresses:

Should you require general information, need to send in your Income Statement Card and/or send us any pertinent information regarding your Ontario Works file, you can send all information to the local office general email.

We value your feedback!

Please take a few moments to complete a short Customer Service Survey about your experience with Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or Ontario Works. Survey responses are completely confidential and will help improve our services. Only general information will be shared with the local offices.

Application for Social Assistance

How to Apply

There are now three ways to apply for Ontario Works.

  1. Online

    by visiting www.ontario.ca/socialassistance

    The online application is:

    • confidential
    • accessible from any computer with an internet connection
    • available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in English and French
    • accessible for people with disabilities

    It also includes a screening section that can tell you whether or not you might be eligible before you start the application process. If you chose to proceed with your online application, you will need to attend an in-person verification interview at either the L’Orignal or Rockland office. You will be asked to bring the following information to your appointment

  2. By Phone

    Find your postal code below and call the appropriate office, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    L’ORIGNAL
    613-675-4642 x 6114 /1-800-667-9825 x 6114

    ROCKLAND
    613-446-2020 x 103/ 1-866-298-2228 x 103

    K0B 1A0-Alfred
    K0B 1B0     - Chute-à-Blondeau
    K0B 1J0    -Lefaivre
    K0B 1K0     - L’Orignal
    K0B 1M0     - Ste-Anne-de-Prescott
    K0B 1N0     - St-Bernadin
    K0B 1P0     - St-Eugène
    K0B 1R0     - Vankleek Hill
    K6A …     - Hawkesbury

    K0A 1E0 - Bourget
    K0A 1M0     - Casselman
    K0A 1N0     - Clarence Creek
    K0A 1W0     - Embrun
    K0A 1W1     - Embrun
    K0A 2A0     - Hammond
    K0A 2M0     - Limoges
    K0A 3C0     - St-Albert
    K0A 3H0     - Vars
    K0A 3K0     - Wendover
    K0A 3N0     - St-Pascal de Baylon
    K0B 1C0     - Curran
    K0B 1G0     - Fournier
    K0B 1L0     - Plantagenet
    K0C 1J0     - Dunvegan
    K0C 2B0     - St-Isidore
    K4K …     - Rockland
    K4R … - Russell

The information needed to complete your phone application is the same as what is required to complete an online application. The telephone interview may take up to 30 minutes. If you appear to be eligible, you will be scheduled a verification interview, usually within four working days, at either at the L’Orignal or Rockland office.

The Verification Interview

  • You will meet with a case manager who will review the information you gave over the phone. You and other adult family members who live with you need to be present to complete all forms.

A list of missing documents may be given to you to return within 10 working days

3. In Person

For those who flee a violent situation or are homeless.


Your Assistance

Every month that you are eligible, you will receive assistance for basic needs and shelter, a drug card, and employment assistance.

Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

The IVR is a toll-free telephone system that provides Ontario Works participants with personal case files including the date of the most recent cheque and its amount; previous cheque payments within the last 45 days; current overpayment balance, if applicable; and case status such as "ongoing", "suspended" or "terminated". Once your assistance is granted, you will receive a 9-digit identification number (member ID) and a 4-digit personal identification number (PIN). Both numbers are required to access your case file at 1-800-808-2268.

This PowerPoint presentation on the Ontario Works Program is part of the social assistance application process and gives you an overview of your rights and responsibilities, as well as the services offered in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.


Employment Services

Under the Ontario Works Act, 1997 and Regulations, as a condition of employment, every employable applicant or participant must participate in employment assistance activities including:

  • single people;
  • couples with or without children;
  • sole support parents;
  • dependent adults 18 year of age or older

After receiving your initial benefits, you will be required to attend an information session prior to meeting with a Case Manager to develop an effective employment plan. These participation agreements (PA) are reviewed regularly and tailored to your needs. Activities include:

  • community placement;
  • employment placement and job skills training;
  • basic education (completion of a high school diploma).
Learning, Earning and Parenting (L.E.A.P.)

Click here for more information on employment assistance programs


Program and Services

Family Support Program

If you receive Ontario Works benefits, you must make all reasonable efforts to obtain a child or spousal support and give all information on the other parent. The role of the Family Support Worker is to help you to:

  • locate the missing parent
  • identify the biological father (paternity testing)
  • negotiate an out-of-court agreement
  • register the court order or the agreement with the Family Responsibility Office (FRO)
  • obtain a support and/or custody order
  • increase the actual amount of support
  • recommend a waiver
  • refer you to other agencies
  • but does not give legal advice
Eligibility Review Program

The Eligibility Review Program reviews and investigates fraud or misrepresentation related to Ontario Works. If there is sufficient evidence to suspect that fraud or an offence under social assistance legislation has been committed, the case may be referred to the police for investigation.

The public is encouraged to report any fraudulent activity to the provincial "Welfare Fraud Hotline" at 1-800-394-7867 or at the local office at 1-800-667-9825 or 613-675-4642, extension 6116.

Eligibility Verfication Model

Periodic file reviews (usually once every 24 months or less) are conducted for all participants receiving Ontario Works benefits. You will be notified by phone and in writing of your CVP appointment and what documents to bring. At this meeting, your Case Manager will ensure that all the information on file is correct and that you are receiving the correct amount of financial assistance. These meetings are a requirement of receiving Ontario Works Assistance and your assistance may be suspended if you do not attend your appointment.


Appeals to Decision

Request for an Internal Review 

An internal review is an informal review of a decision that was made about the financial assistance that you receive.

Request for Internal Review Form

Appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT)

If you disagree with the result of the internal review you can appeal the decision to the SBT 

Appeal Form

What is interim assistance? 

Interim assistance is financial help you may be eligible to receive while waiting for your appeal to be concluded. The SBT may order that you receive interim assistance if you will experience financial hardship. You may apply for interim assistance using the Appeal Form. You will be notified in writing of the Tribunal’s decision regarding interim assistance. If you lose your appeal, your interim assistance shall be assessed as an overpayment on your file and you will be required to repay all of the assistance that was issued to you.

Additional Information


Financial Aid Programs

Homelessness Prevention

The following programs aim to assist low-income families and individuals:

Emergency Energy Fund

This program helps with energy utility arrears, security deposits and reconnection fees. The emergency fund is paid directly to energy providers.

Provincial Rent Bank Program

This program helps low-income tenants with short-term arrears so they can stay in their homes. They must provide a N-4 eviction notice.

Homelessness Fund

This program helps those at risk of becoming homeless.  

Housing Assistance Fund (new since January 1, 2013)

This fund helps those in immnent danger of becoming homeless for:

  • moving costs to improve their situation, such as obtaining a less expensive rent, fleeing a health hazard place or fleeing a violent situation;
  • last month's rent deposit to secure a rental unit; and
  • energy arrears (hydro/fuel/gaz) with a disconnection notice.

TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THOSE FOUR PROGRAMS ABOVE, PLEASE CONTACT THE: 

L'Orignal Office:  613-675-4642, ext. 6114 or 1-800-667-9825

Rockland Office:  613-446-2020, ext. 103 or 1-866-298-2228

*Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

This program helps pay Hydro One arrears.  You must first contact the United Way of Greater Simcoe at 1 855 487-5327 for a financial evaluation.

Domiciliary Care Facilities (Hostels)

The domiciliary hostels offer permanent housing, personal support and assist vulnerable adults of the community who, without this support, could suffer health problems and related difficulties and who could otherwise be homeless. The hostels’ standard customers are people with a wide range of special needs, such as persons with mental illness, physical and/or developmental disabilities and/or frail elderly who cannot live alone anymore, but are not ready to be placed in a long-term care facility.

To apply, please call 613 446-2020, ext. 215 or 1 866 298-2228


Resources

Public and Private Organisations

  • Ontario Provincial Police
    • 911 or 1-888-310-1122
  • Ambulance
    • 911
  • Ontario
    • 211
  • Assaulted women’s helpline
    • 1-866-863-0511
  • Canadian Mental Health Association Champlain East
    • 1-800-493-8271
  • Eastern Ontario Health Unit
    • 1-800-267-7120
  •  Prescott & Russell Community Mental Health Centre
    • 1-800-267-1453
  • Centre Novas-Calacs francophone Prescott and Russell
    • 1-800-772-9922
  • Regional Mental Health and Addiction Centre
    • 1-844-304-1414
  • Clinique juridique de Prescott-Russelll Inc.
    • 1-800-250-9220 or 613-632-1136
  • Groupe action pour l’enfant, la famille et la communauté de Prescott & Russell-Fiers de nos enfants
    • 1-866-363-3210 or 613-632-7837
  • Mental Health Crisis Line 24/7
    • 1-866-996-0991
    • www.crisisline.ca
  • Maison Interlude House
    • 1-800-461-1842
  • Care Program for victims of Assaults HGH
    • 613-632-1111
  • Victims/Witness Assistance Program
    • 1-866-296-0164 or 613-675-1991
  • Prescott & Russell Victim Services
    • 1-877-632-7530 or 613-632-5282
  • Community Services of Prescott & Russell
    • 1-800-267-0853 or 613-632-0939
  • Probation Services
    • 1-877-680-7832
  • Valoris for Children and Adults of Prescott & Russell
    • 1-800-675-6168

Hospitals

  • Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
    • 613-737-7600
  • Hawkesbury and District General Hospital
    • 613-632-1111