Ontario Funeral Assistance: Can Ontario Works Help Low-Income Families with Funeral Costs?

What this is and who administers it

In Ontario, low-income families who cannot afford funeral costs often first think of municipal social services or Ontario Works. Ontario Works is Ontario's social assistance program, administered by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Applications are handled by local Ontario Works offices or the Social Assistance Intake Unit.

One point needs to be made first: according to the official Ontario Works page on ontario.ca, the assistance listed under Ontario Works is money for living expenses and health benefits. The official page does not list funeral assistance as an item. In other words, this official material does not show a specific program, amount, or eligibility rule for applying for funeral assistance through Ontario Works.

What Ontario Works officially covers

The official page states that Ontario Works offers:

• money to help with living expenses, including food and rent, for you and your eligible family members
• health benefits for you and your eligible family members

The official page states that how much money you get depends on your specific situation. In most cases, you must participate in employment-related activities to receive financial help. The page gives an example: a single person could receive up to $733 a month for basic needs and shelter; the amount may be higher for benefits (for example, transportation to medical appointments) or for other immediate family members (for example, a spouse or child).

The official page also states that the federal Canada Disability Benefit is exempt as income for social assistance. Receiving this federal benefit will not affect your eligibility for Ontario Works or the amount of your payment.

Who can apply

The official page states that if you need financial assistance for food and housing and are in financial need, you can apply for Ontario Works. This page does not list detailed income or asset thresholds; eligibility is determined by the office handling the application based on the documents submitted.

What to prepare before applying

The official page states that before starting an application, all family members included in the application should be with you so they can provide consent and confirm their information. Identification and tax documents to have ready include:

• 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, or Microsoft Edge.

Application steps

The official page lists these online application steps:

1. Fill in your personal information. You will be asked for your family's full legal names, dates of birth, 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 receive payment by direct deposit. Submit the application when complete.
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 provided. This could include proof of income or employment, shelter costs and proof of residency in Ontario, and bank statements covering at least 1 month before the application date (up to 12 months may be required depending on circumstances). The official page states that if Ontario Works determines you are not financially eligible, you have 30 days to request that Ontario Works review your information again.
3. Get approved and receive your payment. Once the caseworker or the Social Assistance Intake Unit receives all the information needed, you will be notified within four business days whether your application is approved and how much you may receive. The decision is sent by mail. You can sign up for MyBenefits to access your decision letter online sooner.
4. Develop a plan. Unless specific circumstances prevent it, such as illness or caregiving responsibilities, your Ontario Works office will contact you to schedule an appointment to develop a plan for participating in employment-related activities.

Where to apply

The official page states you can apply for Ontario Works:

• online, which takes 20 to 30 minutes, with one application for you and your immediate family members who live with you
• by phone through 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 official page states you can use the social assistance office locator to get contact information for your local office.

If you disagree with a decision

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 through the Social Benefits Tribunal.

About funeral costs

This official Ontario Works page does not mention funeral assistance. If families want to confirm whether Ontario has assistance for funeral costs, and what conditions and amounts apply through municipal or Ontario Works channels, they need to ask their local Ontario Works office or their municipality's social services department directly. The official answer at the time of application is what applies.

Official sources

• https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-works