Ontario Works (Social Assistance)
To apply for Ontario Works, you can start the application online.
If you are in receipt of Ontario Works, you can get assistance to file your income taxes at any OW office in Durham Region. Please reach out to your caseworker for information or see this list of local free tax clinics.
Types of Social Assistance
Ontario Works
Ontario Works assists individuals who are in financial need. There are two types of assistance—financial assistance and employment assistance. Financial assistance provides support for expenses, such as basic needs and shelter. Employment assistance provides support for items, such as job-specific training, access to basic education, and employment workshops.
Emergency Assistance
Emergency Assistance is available for people who are in a crisis or who experienced an emergency, such as a flood or a fire, or who are concerned for their safety.
Temporary Care Assistance
Temporary Care Assistance is available for temporary caregivers of children who are under the age of 18 and are not residing with their parents.
Assistance for applicants 16 and 17 years of age
Youth 16 or 17 years of age, not living with their parent(s) whom require financial assistance, may qualify to receive Ontario Works.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for Ontario Works, you must:
- Live in Ontario.
- Be in financial need.
- Be willing to make reasonable efforts to find, prepare for and keep a job.
Apply for Ontario Works
| Online |
| To apply for Ontario Works, you can start the application online. |
| By phone |
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The provincial Intake and Benefits Administration Unit is available to complete your application Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The telephone application will take approximately one hour to complete. Following the telephone application, you will submit your documentation, as requested to determine your eligibility. After your eligibility has been determined, you will receive a follow up phone call from a Durham caseworker to discuss the completion of required forms.
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| Emergency assistance |
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If you are currently in an emergency or crisis situation, such as fire, a flood or loss of home, or you are concerned for your safety, you may qualify for a temporary, two-week period of financial assistance. Contact the Application Centre to discuss your situation and schedule an in-office appointment to review your eligibility. To begin your telephone application, please call:
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| Temporary care assistance |
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If you are currently caring for a child under the age of 18 who is not your biological child and you are not legally obligated to support, you may qualify to receive Temporary Care Assistance. Contact the Application Centre to discuss your situation and schedule an in-office appointment to review your eligibility. To begin your telephone application, please call:
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| Assistance for 16 and 17 years old |
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If you are currently 16 or 17 years of age and are not living with your parent(s), and you require financial assistance, you may qualify to receive Ontario Works. Contact the Application Centre to discuss your situation and schedule an in-office appointment to review your eligibility. To begin your telephone application, please call:
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Ontario Works client rights and responsibilities
Learn more about client rights and responsibilities while receiving Ontario Works benefits.
Ontario Works client rights and responsibilities
Other government benefits and supports
- Employment Insurance
- Pensions
- Housing benefits
- Education and training benefits
- Education and Training Supports
- Benefits for family and people with disabilities
- Financial benefits for children (Canada Child Benefit and Child Disability Benefit)
- Healthy Smiles Ontario (provides free dental care for children 17 years old and under for lower-income families)
- Funeral and burial
- Children's Services
- Durham Access to Social Housing (DASH)
- How to replace your Social Insurance Number card
- How to replace your Birth, Marriage or Death Certificate
If you are receiving Ontario Works benefits, you can also ask your Caseworker about opening a bank account and signing up for direct deposit.
If you are on Ontario Works benefits, you can contact your Caseworker about applying for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
Office Locations
If you are in receipt of Ontario Works and need to contact your office or send information to your Caseworker, below are the Ontario Works contact information and office specific information and locations.
Telephone: 905-666-6239
Toll-free: 1-888-721-0622
Bell Relay Line: 905-660-6223
Interpreter Language Line: 1-800-523-1786
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Ajax |
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140 Commercial Avenue Ajax, Ontario L1S 2H5 Fax: 905-428-7401 Email: AjaxOW@durham.ca Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
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Oshawa |
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200 John Street West, Unit C1A Oshawa, Ontario L1J 2B4 Fax: 905-436-7361 Email: OshawaOW@durham.ca Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
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Uxbridge |
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2 Campbell Drive, Unit 301/305 Uxbridge, Ontario L9P 1H6 Fax: 905-852-4573 Email: UxbridgeOW@durham.ca Hours: Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
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Whitby |
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605 Rossland Road East Whitby, Ontario L1N 6A3 Fax: 905-666-6218 Email: WhitbyOW@durham.ca Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
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Employment Resource Centre |
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200 John Street West, 2nd Floor Oshawa, Ontario L1J 2B4 Fax: 905-432-7602 Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
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Director’s Office |
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605 Rossland Road East Whitby, Ontario L1N 6A3 Telephone: 905-666-6239 extension. 2805 |
If you do not agree with a decision that has been made on your file, you can request an Internal Review.
| Internal Review Process |
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When a decision is made on your file, a letter is sent to you. It will tell you information about an eligibility decision, an overpayment or a suspension. The letter will tell you how to appeal the decision. If you disagree with our decision, you can request an internal review. You do this by submitting a letter of appeal to your local Ontario Works office within 30 days. When a decision is made on your internal review, we will tell you in writing whether we are upholding or denying the original decision. If you still disagree with this decision, you can appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal. The Social Benefits Tribunal is a neutral third-party agency of the Ministry of the Attorney General. |
If you would like information about your Social Assistance, you can contact the Interactive Voice Response system (IVR) or review your MyBenefits account.
| Interactive Voice Response (IVR) |
| Call toll-free at 1-800-808-2268 to access Interactive Voice Response (IVR), where you can get information about your social assistance. The line is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. On weekends, the line is open from noon to 5 p.m.
To get this information you will need:
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Ontario Works rates
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