What this is and who runs it
Ontario Works is a social assistance program in Ontario, administered by the province and delivered through local Ontario Works offices. The official page states that if you need financial assistance for food and housing and are in financial need, you can apply for financial assistance through Ontario Works.
Ontario Works offers two things: money to help you and your eligible family members with living expenses, including food and rent, and health benefits for you and your eligible family members.
How much you may receive
The official page states that if you are eligible, the amount you get depends on your specific situation. In most cases, you must participate in employment-related activities to receive financial help.
The figure listed on the official page is up to $733 a month for basic needs and shelter if you are single. You may receive more for:
- benefits, for example additional money for transportation to medical appointments
- other immediate family members, for example a spouse or child
The page also states that to protect Ontario, the Canada Disability Benefit is exempt as income for social assistance. If you receive the federal Canada Disability Benefit, it will not affect your eligibility for Ontario Works or the amount of your payment.
What to prepare before you apply
The official page states that before you apply, make sure all family members included in your application are with you so they can provide consent and confirm their information. Have your family's identification and tax documents ready, such as:
- social insurance numbers (SIN), if applicable
- OHIP cards
- birth certificates
- immigration papers
- tax returns
- banking information
To apply online, you need the latest version of one of these browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge.
How to apply
The official page lists three ways to apply, side by side:
- Online: follow the steps, which take 20 to 30 minutes. Submit one application for you and your immediate family members who live with you.
- By phone: call the Social Assistance Support Line, toll-free 1-888-999-1142 or toll-free TTY 1-800-387-5559.
- Through your local Ontario Works office, in person or by phone.
The page states that if you need support with money for food and housing, or if you have a disability and are in financial need, you can apply for Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) through one simple application.
The four online steps
Step 1: fill in your personal information. You will be asked for your family's full legal names, dates of birth and status in Canada, address, email addresses for all family members 18 and older, total monthly income and assets, housing costs, other expenses such as child care, and bank account information if you have one, to get your payment quickly through direct bank deposit. Submit your application when complete.
Step 2: an intake worker reviews your application. A caseworker from your local Ontario Works office or the Social Assistance Intake Unit will review it and may ask for more information, such as copies of bills or other documents, to verify what you included. This could include:
- proof of any income or employment
- shelter costs and proof of residency in Ontario
- bank statements covering a minimum of 1 month prior to the application date. Depending on circumstances, up to 12 months may be required. The page states that to avoid potential delays, be prepared to submit any additional statements available from your financial institution at no additional cost. If you use online banking, most financial institutions provide free electronic statements for several years.
- information on any other assets, such as stocks, bonds or investments
You may also be asked to sign your application package if you have not signed it electronically, including a consent form allowing Ontario Works to access information about you from other government programs or organizations, for example the Ministry of Transportation, Employment Insurance, Equifax Canada. This helps determine if you qualify.
The page states that if Ontario Works determines that you are not financially eligible, you will have 30 days to request that Ontario Works reviews your information again.
Step 3: get approved and receive your payment. Once the caseworker or the Social Assistance Intake Unit receives all the information they need, you will be notified within four business days whether your application has been approved and how much you may receive. You will receive a decision by mail. You can sign up for MyBenefits to access your decision letter online sooner.
Step 4: develop a plan. Your Ontario Works office will contact you to schedule an appointment to develop a plan for you to participate in employment-related activities, unless you have specific circumstances that prevent this, such as an illness or caregiving responsibilities.
Check the status of your application
If you applied online, you can check the status after you submit. This digital feature is available to most applicants. You need your application number, which is in the email sent to you and on the confirmation page after you submit.
If you applied in person or by phone, you can find out the status through MyBenefits or by contacting the Social Assistance Support Line at toll-free 1-888-999-1142 or toll-free TTY 1-800-387-5559, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (ET).
Internal reviews and appeals
The official page states that if you disagree with a decision about your Ontario Works case or application, you can ask for an internal review and may be able to appeal a decision through the Social Benefits Tribunal.
Payment dates
Ontario Works issues income support payments monthly. To help you get your income support for the beginning of each month, payments are on the last business day of the previous month. The dates listed on the official page include: December 2025 benefit month paid November 28, 2025; January 2026 paid December 31, 2025; February 2026 paid January 30, 2026; March 2026 paid February 27, 2026; April 2026 paid March 31, 2026; May 2026 paid April 30, 2026; June 2026 paid May 29, 2026; July 2026 paid June 30, 2026; August 2026 paid July 31, 2026; September 2026 paid August 31, 2026; October 2026 paid September 29, 2026; November 2026 paid October 30, 2026; December 2026 paid November 30, 2026.
Where to go
The official page states that you can use the social assistance office locator to get contact information for your local office.
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