Receiving Ontario Works

Call 1-800-808-2268

You will receive a 9-digit member ID and a 4-digit PIN number in two separate mailings. Both of these numbers are required to access your case file. This service is available:

Monday to Friday from 8 am to 9 pm
Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 5 pm

To Reset PIN: Press 1 – English instructions, Enter your 9 digit Member ID, Press 0 for the Help Desk and they will reset your PIN.

You can receive information about:

• Most recent cheque date and amount
• Previous cheque history (payments within the last 45 days)
• Current overpayment balance (if applicable)
• Case status (ongoing, suspended or terminated)

All Ontario Works monthly cheques and direct deposits will be dated and cashable for the last business day every month effective immediately. If any questions, please speak with your case manager.

It is important for you to tell us about any income you or your family members receive each month. You can report income in several ways.

The easiest way to report income is through MyBenefits:

• Register for a MyBenefits account at www.Ontario.ca/Mybenefits.
• MyBenefits is an online service available 24/7 to Ontario residents who receive OW or ODSP and a fast, easy, and secure way to report all income, address changes, see past payments and more.
• Help using MyBenefits

Monthly income reporting must be completed on or after the 16th of each month. All income must be reported from the 16th of the previous month to the 15th of the current month.

Income reporting can also be completed in other ways:

• mailed or dropped off to an OW office (using the Statement of Income (SOI) or other approved income verification document).
• over the phone using Interactive Voice Response (IVR).

If your declaration is received after the 16th of each month, or if it is incomplete or incorrect, there may be a delay in your Ontario Works Financial Assistance.

Income reporting is required if:

• You have a new source of income. 
• You have ongoing earnings and/or training allowances.
• You have casual earnings from employment.
• You have income that changes monthly.

Income reporting may not be required if your Case Manager told you that you are not required to submit one. This may occur if:

• You do not have any income or earnings to report.
• Your income does not change monthly (Canada Pension Plan, support payments, roomer / boarder income, etc.)

If using a Statement of Income (SOI) and you have more than two members of your family that are working, use another SOI to record all earnings for all family members.

If you would like help completing your income declaration, please contact your Case Manager. 

For more information: Working and earning while on Ontario Works | ontario.ca

There are benefits available to help you pay for job start-up costs like new clothes, work boots, a haircut, tools and day care. If you have been receiving assistance for 3 months or longer, you can earn up to $200 each month without it affecting your assistance. Every dollar you earn over $200 will reduce your income support by $.50.

For example - your monthly earnings is $350. You keep the first $200 without affecting your assistance. From the remaining $150, only $75 would be deducted from your income support. 

Speak to your Case Manager about this and other benefits that may be available to you.

For more information visit: Working and earning while on Ontario Works | ontario.ca