Social Assistance - Ontario Works

HOW TO PRESENT AN APPLICATION?

There are now three ways to apply for Ontario Works eligibility:

1. Online
2. By telephone
3. In person

Online application

The online application is:

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

It also has an assessment section that can tell you whether or not you may qualify before you begin the application process. If you decide to continue completing your online application, you will be invited to a verification interview, either at the L’Orignal or Rockland office. Refer to the Information on what to bring to your appointment prior to meet with us.

APPLICATION BY TELEPHONE

You you can reach us at:

•  613-675-4661
• 1-800-667-6307

The information needed to complete your telephone 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 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.

APPLYING IN PERSON

An in-person application is possible for those who flee a violent situation or are homeless.

Social assistance on behalf of a beneficiary

Who does this apply to?

Third party receiving direct payments on behalf of recipients of Ontario Works for shelter-related expenses, such as rent, board and lodge and utilities.

Direct Bank Deposit and Electronic Statements Request

 The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) is offering Direct Bank Deposit (DBD) and electronic statements (eStatements) for payments made directly to third parties on behalf of social assistance recipients.

Online application

This service is for social assistance recipients and is available to residents of Prescott and Russell who are active social assistance clients.

Already signed up?

Login Mybenefits to access your account!

How Do I Sign Up?

Register today for Mybenefits !

To register, you need:

• Use the same email address recorded in your Ontario Works file
• Your Ontario Works Member ID number
• Your date of birth
• Manage your file yourself (e.g. not by a trustee or a spouse)

THE SERVICE IS OFFERED:

• 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• online

With MyBenefits, you can:

• Check the status of a payment, view a breakdown and status of each payment, including any overpayment information
• View letters
• View profile information (e.g., phone number, email, household members)
• Report earned income against an existing employer on file and track the status of each submission
• Report address and phone number changes
• Show their proof of assistance to third-party providers
• Communicate with your Caseworker, or someone at your local office
• Send a document to your Caseworker
• Receive messages and forms from your Caseworker

Clients will also be paperless by default: they can view their letters online, and will stop receiving letters in the mail.

For further information, please visit Mybenefits or contact your Case Manager.

Assistance to access your file

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

• Rights and Responsibilities
• Statement of Income Card
• Presentation regarding how to declare your income

Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

The IVR is a toll-free telephone system that provides Ontario Works participants the following options:

• Access information through expanded hours - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Obtain a breakdown of issued payments and new overpayment information
• Review outstanding verification items
• Obtain additional benefit eligibility request decisions
• Report earnings
• Obtain local office contact details.

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.

Under the Ontario Works Act, 1997 and Regulations, as an eligibility condition, 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 years 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;
• referral to vocational counselling services or a training program
• basic education (completion of a high school diploma).

This 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.

The Learning, Earning and Parenting (L.E.A.P.) Program is for young parents aged 16 to 25 receiving financial aid under the Ontario Works program.

HOUSING ASSISTANCE FUND

The purpose of this program is to help people maintain their housing with the following expenses:

• Last month’s rent deposits
• Rent, heat or hydro arrears
• Moving costs
• Minor home repairs
• Repair or replacement of essential appliances
• Other circumstances of homelessness as approved by a Supervisor

To apply please call 613-675-4661 or 1-800-667-6307.

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.

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES HOMES (RSH)

The Residential Services Homes (RSH) are private residences providing long-term housing for vulnerable adults who require assistance need help with their daily living activities.

The Social Services Department has entered into agreements with these Homes to offer financial assistance to eligible low-income individuals.

Eligibility depends on these three primary factors:

• Medical Need
• Financial Need
• Appropriateness of placement

To apply, please contact the:

• L'Orignal Office: 613-675-4661 or 1-800-667-6307
• Rockland Office: 613-446-2020, ext. 199 or 1-866-298-2228

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

Here are different ways to report to the provincial “Welfare Fraud Hotline”:

• Online Form to report a Welfare Fraud
• [email protected]
• Fax at 1-866-681-3154
• Call toll-free at 1-800-394-7867
• Send a letter to the Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services, Welfare Fraud Hotline, Box 333 Toronto ON M7A 1E9

To find programs and services in your community, in Ontario or in Canada.

Visit the 211 Ontario website or reach them by dialing 2-1-1.

Other tools

To find Benefits and Services that you may be eligible, you can use the following tools.

• Benefits finder in Ontario
• Benefits finder in Canada

Request for an Internal Review

An internal review is the informal review of a decision made regarding your financial aid.

You can appeal in any of the following cases :

• your application for financial assistance under the Ontario Works program has been refused;
• you dispute the amount of financial assistance you are receiving or have received.

You can submit an interval review request in one of two ways:

1. fill out a Request for Internal Review Form
2. write a letter

The time limit for requesting an interval review is 30 days from the date you receive the letter informing you of the decision.

Appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT)

If you disagree with the result of the internal review you can appeal the decision to the Social Benefits Tribunal.

Interim assistance

The Social Benefits Tribunal may order interim assistance pending a decision from the Social Benefits Tribunal if you are experiencing financial difficulties.

To make the request for interim assistance at any time during the appeal process, complete the section of the appeal form.

If interim aid is granted, you will receive written notice of the decision. This does not mean that the issue on which you are appealing is resolved.

If your appeal is dismissed, or if you do not appear at your hearing, you will have to reimburse the amounts paid to you as interim assistance.

For additional Information on the process of Appeal

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