What is Ontario Works, and do I qualify?
Ontario Works (OW) provides financial and employment assistance to people with low income in Ontario who meet the eligibility criteria.
If you need money and are under 18, you might qualify for Ontario Works (OW). This financial assistance can help you with your day-to-day needs, like rent, food, clothing, and prescription medication.
Once you apply for Ontario Works, a caseworker will determine if you qualify.
If you are younger than 16, you do not qualify for OW unless you:
- are a single parent raising your child,
- do not live with your parents, and
- meet the criteria for applicants under 18.
If you are 16 or 17, you may qualify for OW if:
- you meet the general eligibility criteria for OW and
- the caseworker believes that special circumstances require you not to live with your parents.
To determine if special circumstances exist, your OW caseworker will review the following:
- You experience physical, emotional or sexual abuse while living with your parents.
- Your parents will not support you financially and will not let you live with them.
- Your parents cannot care for you because of their circumstances (addiction, incarceration, mental health, etc.)
- Your parents have died or cannot be located.
If it will not put you in danger, OW might contact your parents to verify your circumstances. Learn about when OW will contact your parents.
If you qualify, you will be required to participate in approved activities as a condition for social assistance.
Your caseworker might require you to:
- Have regular contact with a responsible adult or community agency worker.
- Participate in education or employment-focused programming.
- Participate in counselling.
How do I apply for Ontario Works?
You can apply for OW:
- Online.
- Through the phone by calling: 1-888-999-1142
- In person at your nearest social assistance office.
You will need to provide identification documents and proof of income.
NOTE: If your application is approved and you are under 18, OW will not pay you the money directly. In most cases, you must appoint a ‘trustee” (an adult of your choice who will accept the money on your behalf).
By law, OW cannot refuse to take your application. If this happens, ask to speak to a supervisor and insist they take your application. If there is still a problem, contact your community legal clinic or Justice for Children and Youth.
For more information:
- Leaving Home - Information about leaving home as a minor. From Justice for Children and Youth Legal Rights section.
- Social Assistance - Learn about the different social assistance programs available in Ontario. From the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
- What is the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and how do I apply? - Article by Settlement.Org