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In Ontario, residents can take advantage of something known as the Ontario Works benefit. In essence, this benefit is meant to be a temporary support system for Canadians facing difficult financial times.
The program offers both financial and employment services. Monthly payments are distributed to anyone who qualifies for the program. These payments are meant to help with everything from rent to groceries and various bills.
Other Ontario Works benefits include help with finding employment, child care, and even costs related to travel for job interviews, job fairs, etc. These benefits are different than Employment Insurance (EI) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
Whether you're applying for the first time or currently receiving assistance, you'll find detailed information in this guide about payment schedules, application procedures, and additional benefits available to help you meet your basic needs.
Ontario Works is a government program that helps people in Ontario who are facing tough financial times. It was created as a sort of “safety net” that provides money for basic needs like food and housing, while also helping people find jobs and get back on their feet.
Every month, Ontario Works helps about 250,000 people across Ontario, with many of these being families with children.
However, the program isn't meant to be permanent. It's designed to be a helpful boost during difficult times, whether you've lost your job, are dealing with a family emergency, or are working but not earning enough to cover your basic needs.
The main goal of Ontario Works is to help people become independent and find stable employment. The program works toward this in several ways:
Providing emergency financial help to cover basic needs
Connecting people with job training programs
Helping with job searches and resume writing
Supporting education and skills development
Offering services like childcare assistance so parents can work
The program follows the belief that steady employment is the best path to financial independence. In fact, about 35% of Ontario Works recipients typically find employment within their first year in the program.
Ontario Works payments are sent out during the last week of each month for the following month's benefits. Here are the exact payment dates for 2025:
Benefit Month | Payment Date |
January 2025 | December 31, 2024 |
February 2025 | January 31, 2025 |
March 2025 | February 28, 2025 |
April 2025 | March 31, 2025 |
May 2025 | April 30, 2025 |
June 2025 | May 30, 2025 |
July 2025 | June 30, 2025 |
August 2025 | July 31, 2025 |
September 2025 | August 29, 2025 |
October 2025 | September 29, 2025 |
November 2025 | October 31, 2025 |
December 2025 | November 28, 2025 |
Ontario Works offers three convenient ways to receive your payments:
This is the fastest way to get your benefits. The money goes straight into your bank account on the payment date. Most recipients choose this option because there's no risk of lost or stolen checks, and you don't have to wait for the mail.
If you don't have a bank account, you can ask to get a reloadable payment card instead. This works like a debit card - your monthly benefits are automatically loaded onto the card on payment day. You can use it to withdraw cash at ATMs or make purchases at stores. There's no cost to get or use the card.
It’s less common these days, but you can still receive your benefits by cheque if you prefer. But remember that even though cheques are mailed several days before the payment date, delivery times can vary, and there's always a small risk of mail delays or lost cheques.
The Basic Needs Allowance helps cover your everyday essentials. This money is meant to help pay for things like:
Food and groceries
Clothing and personal care items
Phone bills and internet
Transportation costs
Other daily needs
The amount you get depends on your family size. For example, in 2025, a single person typically receives $343 per month for basic needs. A single parent with one child might receive $494, and the amount goes up with each additional family member. But these amounts can change based on your specific situation and needs.
The Shelter Allowance helps with housing costs, whether you rent, own your home, or pay for room and board. This benefit helps cover expenses such as rent or mortgage payments, heat and electricity bills, water charges, home insurance, and property taxes if you own your home.
The maximum shelter allowance varies by family size. For instance, a single person may receive up to $390 per month, while a family of four might get up to $756. But again, different circumstances may impact the specific amount you receive, so it’s always worthwhile to contact Ontario Works if you have any questions.
Aside from basic needs and shelter, Ontario Works offers extra help through several additional benefits. First, there are health benefits, which include dental care for children, vision care, prescription drug coverage, emergency dental care for adults, and medical transportation when needed.
You can also get support for employment opportunities. This may include assistance with work clothes, safety equipment for jobs, training program costs, transportation to job interviews, and child care costs while working or training.
You can also take advantage of a Special Diet Allowance, which provides extra money if you or your family members have specific medical conditions requiring special diets.
Other special benefits that are available are the back-to-school allowance for children, winter clothing allowance, pregnancy and breast-feeding nutritional allowance, help with moving costs in certain situations, and emergency home repairs.
These additional benefits aren't automatic, so you'll need to talk with your caseworker about which ones you might qualify for and how to apply for them.
To be eligible to get Ontario Works benefits, you must be at least 16 years old and live in Ontario. You'll need to prove you're a legal resident of Ontario and show that you're in financial need.
You also have to actively look for work or take part in activities that will help you find a job, like training programs or education courses. Single parents with young children may have different participation requirements, but as mentioned above, assistance is typically available to help with childcare costs in these instances.
Ontario Works has specific rules about how much money and assets you can have. For a single person, you can have up to $10,000 in assets, while a couple can have $15,000. Assets include money in the bank, investments, and vehicles (though your main vehicle usually doesn't count if it's worth less than $15,000).
The income limits also depend on your family size and housing costs. Any money you earn from work will affect your benefits. The way it works is that typically, Ontario Works deducts 50 cents from your benefits for every dollar you earn. However, some types of income, like if you receive the Canada Tax Child Benefit, don't affect your Ontario Works payments.
You can start your Ontario Works application in three ways. The easiest is online through the Social Assistance Application portal on the Ontario government website.
You can also call your local Ontario Works office to apply by phone or visit them in person if you prefer face-to-face help. After your initial application, you'll need to have an interview with a caseworker to complete the process.
You'll need to gather various important documents. These include your Social Insurance Number, health card, birth certificate, and proof of where you live, like a lease or utility bill. You should also gather your recent bank statements, proof of any income, and information about your assets. If you have children, bring their identification documents too.
Most applications take about 4-7 business days to process, starting from when you submit all your required documents. Your caseworker should be able to contact you within 3 business days of your initial application to schedule your interview.
If you’re dealing with a particularly pressing emergency, let them know right away. They may be able to give you that quick assistance within 48 hours. Once approved, you'll receive your first payment on the next regular payment date.
Since Ontario Works provides monthly payments, one of the first things you should do is plan your spending carefully. Try paying your most important bills, like rent and utilities, as soon as your payment arrives.
Setting aside money for groceries throughout the month helps make your food budget last longer.
A helpful way to stretch your benefits is to plan your grocery shopping around sales and discount days. Also, consider buying in bulk when certain items are on sale. You can also look for second-hand stores for clothing and household items.
If your payment is late or the amount you’re supposed to receive seems incorrect, don't wait. Contact your caseworker right away. They're there to help sort out these issues. Keep a record of when you were supposed to receive your payment and any conversations you have about the problem.
If you've recently moved, make sure that Ontario Works has your current information to prevent future delays.
Talk to your caseworker if you face a financial emergency before your next payment. They might be able to help with some last-minute emergency assistance or connect you with local food banks and other community resources that can help you get through a tough spot.
Ontario Works also offers services to help you find and keep a job. Your caseworker can connect you with job search workshops, resume writing help, and various job-related training programs. You might also get help with work-related costs like uniforms, safety equipment, or transportation to interviews if you need it.
The program can also help with adult education or job-specific certifications. Some people even qualify for help with college courses that lead to better job opportunities. As always, don’t be afraid to ask your caseworker. They will work with you to create a plan that matches your skills and goals.
The good news is that when you start working, you don't immediately lose your Ontario Works benefits. Instead, the program gradually reduces your benefits as your income increases. For every dollar you earn from work, your benefits typically decrease by 50 cents.
For example, if you earn $800 a month, your Ontario Works payment would decrease by $400. But you'd still come out ahead because you're keeping half of your work earnings plus your reduced benefits. And on top of that, you might still qualify for other benefits like drug coverage and childcare support even after your main benefits end.
If you’re getting Ontario Works benefits, you need to meet certain requirements to keep receiving them. The most important is following your participation agreement - this is a plan you create with your caseworker that outlines your steps toward finding employment.
And if you’re starting a job, moving, or if there are any changes in your family situation, you need to let them know right away. You may also be required to attend meetings with your caseworker and provide monthly updates about your job search or training activities. You might be able to have these meetings online.
If you earn any income or receive money from other sources, you must report it to Ontario Works right away. Missing appointments or not reporting changes can affect your benefits.
If your Ontario Works application is denied or your benefits are reduced, you have the right to appeal the decision. Start by talking to your caseworker to understand why the decision was made - sometimes, it could simply be a mistake or misunderstanding that can be resolved quickly.
If you're still not satisfied, you can file an appeal with the Social Benefits Tribunal within 30 days of the decision. During the appeal process, you can:
Request an internal review by a different caseworker
Get help from a legal clinic or community advocate
Present your case at a tribunal hearing
Continue receiving benefits while waiting for your appeal in some cases
No, you cannot receive Ontario Works after age 65. At that point, you would transition to federal senior benefits like Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
Aside from basic assistance, you might qualify for things like dental care, prescription coverage, vision care, employment-related expenses, special diet allowance, transportation assistance, and child care benefits.
A single person can have up to $10,000 in assets, while couples can have $15,000. This includes money in bank accounts, investments, and vehicle value over $15,000. Some assets, like your primary residence and primary vehicle under $15,000, don't count toward this limit.
There's no fixed time limit for receiving Ontario Works, but it is designed to be temporary while you work toward becoming financially independent. You can continue receiving benefits as long as you meet eligibility requirements and actively seek employment.
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