In Ontario, social assistance (social assistance) or welfare is provided through the Ontario Works (OW) program. This program is intended for individuals who are unable to find work or are temporarily disabled.
Most welfare recipients must participate in certain activities in order to be eligible for assistance. The types of these activities are outlined in a specific agreement (participation agreement).
The agreement may require participation in:
community service,
job search programs,
literacy courses,
training or vocational courses.
If the obligations to participate in these programs are not met, the amount of the benefit will be reduced or payments will be completely stopped.
To apply for participation in OW, you must contact your local Social Services office. You will be required to provide a number of documents and various information about yourself, your family, and those living with you. The applicant has the right to attend all meetings at Social Services with another person, who can be, for example, a translator.
For those receiving social assistance, a supplemental benefits system is available, including:
– free glasses,
– free dental services,
– eligibility for subsidized housing,
– free training for certain courses,
– free transportation.
Welfare recipients are not eligible for loans.
Am I eligible to receive social assistance under the Ontario Works program if I have an RRSP contribution?
If you are employable at the time of application, you can have an amount equivalent to the size of one month's benefit. This amount is $520 for a single person and $901 for a couple. In addition, you can have up to $500 for each dependent child living with you.
Anything that can be converted into cash is considered liquid assets. At the time of your application, ownership of a home or a new car may not be considered as liquid assets. Liquid assets include, in addition to cash and bank account funds, bonds, RRSPs, stocks, and other securities that can easily be cashed. You may be denied assistance if you have such assets.
Almost all sources of income will be deducted from your benefit amount, except for:
child benefits (Child Tax Benefit),
income tax refunds (
]),goods and services tax refunds (GST Refunds),
death benefits (
).Social Services offices in Toronto
You must contact the Social Services offices based on your territorial address. To find the appropriate office, locate your postal code in the list below.
Postal code – M1J, M1K, M1P, M1R
Scarborough West Social Services
1225 Kennedy Rd., Unit F., Scarborough, M1P 2L4.
Tel. 416 - 392-2800 (for general inquiries),
Tel. 416 - 392-2725 (for personal inquiries).
Postal code – M1B, M1C, M1E, M1G, M1H, M1M, M1N, M1S, M1T, M1V, M1W, M1X.
Scarborough North Social Services
5639 Finch Ave.E., Scarborough, M1B 5L1,
Tel. 416 - 397- 1000 (for general inquiries),
Tel. 416 - 397-1010 (for personal inquiries).
Postal code – M2H, M2J, M2K, M2L, M2M, M2N, M2P, M2R, M3A, M3B, M4N, M5M.
North York East Social Services
20 Lesmill Rd., North York, M9M 2T5.
Tel. 416 - 392-2850 (for general inquiries),
Tel. 416 - 392-2811 (for personal inquiries).
Postal code – M3L, M3N, M9L, M9M, M9N.
North York West Social Services
1860 Wilson Ave., North York, M9M 3A7,
Tel. 416 - 392-6500 (for general inquiries),
Tel. 416 - 397-0185 (for personal inquiries).
Postal code – M3H, M3J, M3K, M3M, M6A, M6L.
North York Central Social Services
1117 Finch Ave. W., North York, M3J 2P7,
Tel. 416 - 397-9450 (for general inquiries),
Tel. 416 - 397-9451 (for personal inquiries).
Postal code – M1L, M3C, M4A, M4B, M4C, M4G, M4H.
East York Social Services
1450 O’Connor Dr Unit 33, North York, M4B 2T8,
Tel. 416 - 392-3400 (for general inquiries),
Tel. 416 - 392-3421 (for personal inquiries).
Postal code – M4E, M4J, M4L, M4M.
East Toronto Social Services
1631 Queen St. E., Toronto, M4L 1G4,
Tel. 416 - 392-3200 (for general inquiries),
Tel. 416 - 392-3213 (for personal inquiries).
Postal code – M4P, M4R, M4S, M4T, M4V, M5N, M5P, M6B, M6C, M6E, M6H.
Central Toronto Social Services
150 Eglinton Ave. E., Suite 900, Toronto, M4P 3E2,
Tel. 416 - 397-1800 (for general inquiries),
Tel. 416 - 397-5100 (for personal inquiries).
Postal code – M4K, M4W, M4X, M4Y, M5A, M5R.
Downtown Toronto Social Services
111 Wellesley St. E., Toronto, M4Y 3A7,
Tel. 416 - 392-5300 (for general inquiries),
Tel. 416 - 392-5100 (for personal inquiries).
Postal code – M6J, M6K, M6R, M6S.
High Park/ Parkdale Social Services
1900 Dundas St. W., Toronto, M2R 3B6,
Tel. 416 - 397-7800 (for general inquiries),
Tel. 416 - 397-7900 (for personal inquiries).
Postal code – M5B, M5C, M5E, M5G, M5H, M5J, M5K, M5L, M5R, M5S, M5T, M5V, M5W, M5X, M6G.
Metro Hall Social Services
214 Wellington St. W., Toronto, M5V 3C6,
Tel. 416 - 392-2600 (for general inquiries),
Tel. 416 - 392-2635 (for personal inquiries).
Postal code – M9R, M9V, M9W.
Etobicoke North Social Services
220 Attwell Dr., unit 4, Etobicoke M9W 6T9,
Tel. 416 - 392-6400 (for general inquiries),
Tel. 416 - 392-6405 (for personal inquiries).
Postal code – M6M, M6N, M6P.
York/Humber Social Services
605 Rogers Rd., 6th Floor, Toronto, M6M 1B9,
Tel. 416 - 392-6200 (for general inquiries),
Tel. 416 - 392 6242 (for personal inquiries).
Postal code - M8V, M8W, M8X, M8Y, M8Z, M9A, M9B, M9C, M9P.
Etobicoke South Social Services
779 The Queensway, Etobicoke, M8Z 1N4,
Tel. 416 - 392-6550 (for general inquiries),
Tel. 416 - 397-0330 (for personal inquiries).
}