The Social Services Department administers the Ontario Works Program by providing income and employment assistance for people in temporary financial need. Eligibility will depend on your circumstances. The amount depends on your family size, accommodation costs, your income and assets and your willingness to participate in approved activities.
How will the changes affect my social assistance benefits? Effective August 1, 2008, Ontario Works participants will not receive basic needs, winter clothing or back to school allowances for children under 18 years of age. These benefits will be included as part of the monthly OCB payment. Ontario Works will continue to cover shelter allowances, health and dental benefits for children under 18 whose parents are eligible for OW. Effective August 1, 2008, the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS) payment will no longer be deducted from Ontario Works payments. Do you need more information about the Ontario Child Benefit?
Call Revenue Canada at 1-888-789-4199, TTY 1-800-387-5559 or visit www.OntarioChildBenefit.ca
Every month that you are eligible, you will receive assistance for basic needs and shelter, a drug card, and employment assistance.
Statement of Income Card: Each month, you will be required to complete such a card. If you received income, such as employment insurance benefits, child/spouse support, during the month, you must indicate it and send proof. The period covered by the card is from the 16th of last month to the 15th of the current month.
You may also be eligible for the following items:
Dental and Vision Care: Basic dental care and vision care is provided for all dependent children. Adults are also eligible for vision care every two years and emergency dental care depending on certain criteria.
Community Start Up and Maintenance Benefit: You may be eligibible for this benefit every 24 months, with proof, for the following reasons:
Special Diet: If you require a special diet due to a medical condition, you may be able to get some help if this diet involves extra cost.
Pregnancy Nutritional/Breast-feeding Allowance: You can receive a pregnancy nutritional allowance to cover your special dietary needs during pregnancy and for 12 months after delivery if you are breast-feeding your child.
See the following example on how to complete your Statement of Income Card
Under the Ontario Works Act, 1997 and Regulations, as a condition of employment, every employable applicant or participant must participate in employment assistance activities including:
• single people;
• couples with or without children;
• sole support parents;
• dependent adults 18 year of age or older
After receiving your initial benefits, you will be required to attend an information session prior to meeting with a Case Manager to develop an effective employment plan. These participation agreements (PA) are reviewed regularly and tailored to your needs. Activities include:
• community placement;
• employment placement and job skills training;
• basic education (completion of a high school diploma)
• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP)
Community Placement
Through the Community Placement program, you gain job skills and work experience by volunteering with a not-for-profit community agency, service club or public sector organization. Community Participation Expenses (CPE) are available to support access to community placements for out-of-pocket costs for eligible participants, in addition to $1.00 per hour to cover extra costs, such as coffee, muffins, etc. (up to 70 hours per month).
Employment Placement and Job Skills Training
The Employment Placement program is intended for those who are ready to find and maintain paid employment and to assist those interested in self-employment to develop business enterprises. Ontario Works staff work with employers and the Employment Services Centre (ESC) of Prescott-Russell to help you get gainful employment. Additional supports are available for individuals who secure employment, including Full-Time Employment Benefit (FTEB), Extended Employment Health Benefit (EEHB), Employment Related Expenses (ERE), Employment Start-Up Benefit (ESUB), increased Informal Child Care deductions and Earnings’ Exemptions. Subsidized child care is also available for those participants who exit to employment.
The Employment Services Centre of Prescott-Russell provides a variety of information concerning career orientation, occupations, local labour market, different training possibilities and strategies for work. You can meet with one of their employment counsellors who will assist you in determining which programs and services and apprenticeship training are available and to better prepare you for interviews, such as behavioural strategies (self-esteem, respecting others, accepting changes), relationships with others (team work, compromise, leadership, ability to take orders), etc. Different tools are also available, such as a fax, photocopier, and more specialized equipment, such as the Win Way Computer Program (for creating personalized résumés).
Ontario Works staff also offer in-house workshops which bridge gaps in existing community training and teach you the fundamental skills necessary to achieve success in job searching, namely:
Life Skills
• Self portrait: discovering your values and qualities
• Self-esteem
• Budgeting
• Employment barriers
• Communication
Résumé Writing
• Self-assessment
• Types of résumés
• Writing of résumés
Job Search
• Self-assessment
• Job search techniques
• Job search sources
• Elaboration of an action plan
• Job search sources
• Exploring your employment barriers
• Elaboration of an action plan
Job Interview
• Practical tips for the interview
• Personal qualities and skills
• Interview simulation
Professional Integration
• Self-esteem
• Interest and skills
• Career exploration
• Decision-making
• Problem solving
• Coping with changes
Basic Education
For some of you, the most appropriate action may be to complete your secondary school education (Grade 12 or equivalency). If this is the case, Ontario Works staff will refer you to an educational program to support your shortest route to employment. As an example, the Referral Centre for Adults Training (RCFAT) or what is also commonly known in French as CAFA (Centre d’aiguillage pour la formation des adultes) is a multi-sector partnership unique in Ontario. The centre conducts an educational assessment including strengths, weaknesses and if there are any barriers or special needs, it will advise participants as to the best suited educational institutions and recommend any special supports needed. Special arrangements may be made to ensure success. This may include a tutor program, coop courses, special workshops. Transportation costs are paid to those participant students.
Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP)
The LEAP program is designed for participants who are parents between the ages of 16 and 21, and have not graduated from high school. Intensive case management is provided to these young parents on a monthly basis to help them to complete their high school, find a career goal, and develop parenting skills. Short-term and long-term goals for each of the LEAP elements: Learning, Earning, and Parenting and Child Development are of utmost importance. The program is mandatory for those who are 16-17 years of age and voluntary for those 18-21 years of age. Financial help is also available to parents for transportation, child care, recreational programs, school registration and supplies. In addition, upon completion of the LEAP program, a $500.00 scholarship is awarded to the participant or directed into a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) on behalf of the child.
Consolidated Verification Process (CVP)
Periodic file reviews (usually once every 12 months or sooner) are conducted for all participants receiving Ontario Works benefits. You will most likely be notified by phone and in writing of your CVP appointment and what documents to bring. At this meeting, your Case Manager will ensure that all the information on file is correct and that you are receiving the correct amount of financial assistance. These meetings are a requirement of receiving Ontario Works Assistance and your assistance may be suspended if you do not attend your appointment.
Once we receive your request for an internal review, your file will be reviewed by another Ontario Works staff member (usually a Case Presenting Officer or a Supervisor) who may call you directly for clarifications. You should send any additional information that you think would help in the review. We will give you the results in writing within ten (10) days of receiving your written request.
If you would like to seek legal advice about this matter, you can contact the community legal aid clinic, the Clinique juridique populaire de Prescott-Russell inc. at 1-800-250-9220. Note: You can cancel your request for an internal review. However, if you cancel your request you will no longer be able to appeal the decision to the SBT.
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