The application for Ontario Works happens in two steps -
Step One: Starting the application by phone or on the internet.
You will be asked for the following information for each family member:
- Date of Birth
- Social Insurance Number
- Ontario Health Card Number
- Address details
- Bank account information
- Employment history
- Rent or mortgage details
- Assets (i.e. Vehicles, RRSP's, Life Insurance)
- Current, recent and expected income from earnings and other sources (i.e. employment, child support, Canada Pension, Employment Insurance)
To apply by Phone
To apply for financial assistance, call our office at 905-546-4800, and press 1.
An intake clerk will ask you some basic questions and will let you know if you may be eligible. At the end of the application they will book a Verification appointment for you to come to the office and complete the application with a Case Manager.
To Complete the Eligibility Calculation and On-Line Application
On-line application: www.ontario.ca/socialassistance
The first step of the on-line application is “Am I Eligible”. This screening portion will give you an idea if you are eligible. Once you complete this portion you move on to the actual application.
The on-line application will ask you to input information about yourself and any family members you are applying with. It will take 20-30 minutes to complete the on-line application.
Once your application in complete:
An Intake Clerk will call you within 3 business days of completing the on-line application to confirm that we have received your online information, to arrange a Verification appointment to complete your application and to give you a list of what you need to bring with you.
If you do not have a phone where you can be reached, you will need to call the intake unit after completing the on-line application in order to arrange an appointment with a Case Manager so you can finish the application process. You can book this Verification appointment by calling 905-546-4800, and press 1.
By using the online application you can:
- find out if you may be eligible for all three social assistance programs: Ontario Works, the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD); and
- apply for Ontario Works, ODSP and ACSD.
The Online Application for Social Assistance is:
- Convenient – you can apply from your own home or from any computer with an internet connection
- Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- More accessible for people with disabilities
Step Two
Attend a Verification Appointment.
You will be asked to come to the OW office to meet with a Case Manager. They will review your situation and all of your documents like ID, bank account statements and housing costs.
Once they have reviewed all of your documents they will give you a decision on whether you are eligible.