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).

Click here for more information on employment assistance programs

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

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.

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.

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

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

Appeal Form

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

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

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