Employment and Financial Assistance

Our team works closely with provincial programs and local partners to connect residents with financial assistance, employment services, and support for health, housing, and basic needs.

Ontario Works services

Ontario Works provides services to help individuals move towards self-sufficiency.

Stability supports

The focus of the Ontario Works Program is to provide stability supports to help individuals we work with move towards self-sufficiency. Your Ontario Works Case Manager will review how we can support you at your initial meeting.

Employment supports

If you need financial support to help with your job search or to start a new job, Employment Ontario may be able to help you. Your Case Manager will refer you to the correct Employment Ontario Office, where you will get help with your job search or training plan.

Residents of Haldimand County will be referred to SOAR Community Services
Residents of Norfolk County will be referred to Fanshawe Community Career and Employment Services

Pre-employment supports

If you aren't able to look for work or start a new job, your Case Manager will work with you to help develop a plan and connect you to supports and services in your community that can help you:

Access health related services
Access substance recovery and harm reduction supports
Access housing and homelessness prevention supports
Apply for longer-term supports like ODSP or CPP-D

Financial assistance

Financial assistance from Ontario Works can include:

Basic financial assistance:  Basic financial assistance helps cover the cost of basic needs like food and shelter. The amount you are eligible to receive will vary depending on your family size, the age of your dependents, income and shelter costs
Prescription medication coverage:  You will also be able to use your health card to pay for most prescription medications at a pharmacy
Special diet allowance: Additional assistance may be provided help cover the costs of a special diet required due to an approved medical condition
Pregnancy and breastfeeding nutritional allowance:  Pregnant or breastfeeding women may be eligible for an allowance to cover the costs of nutritional needs associated with pregnancy and breastfeeding

Apply for Ontario Works

You can apply for financial assistance through the Ontario Works Program online or by phone. All information provided will be kept private and confidential.

Apply online

Review the information required to apply on the Ontario website before starting your application.
Start your application online.
Allow at least one hour to complete the process.

Start your application online

Apply by phone

Review the information required to apply on the Ontario website before starting your application.
Call the Social Assistance Support Line Toll-free: 1-888-999-1142 or Toll-free TTY: 1-800-387-5559.
Allow at least one hour to complete the process.

After you apply

After your application is completed, if you are determined to be eligible, our office will contact you within a few weeks to complete additional forms and discuss your next steps. You are required to complete this appointment. If you have a spouse and/or dependent adults, they must also attend this appointment.

During the appointment, which will likely last one to two hours, your Case Manager will:

Complete additional forms and assessments
Inform you of your rights and responsibilities as a participant in this program
Discuss additional services or supports that you might qualify for
Connect you to your local Employment Ontario Agency for help with your job search or employment plan

Other benefits

You may also be eligible for benefits to help pay for:

Glasses for dependent children
Travel and transportation to and from medical appointments
Diabetic supplies
Surgical supplies
Guide dog costs
Glasses for adults

Contact your Case Manager for more information.

Request for internal review

An internal review is an informal review of a decision that was made about the financial assistance that you receive(d). It is an opportunity for Ontario Works to make sure that the rules were correctly followed for your case.

To request an internal review, complete the Request for Internal Review form (PDF) on the Ontario Government website.