Can OW show up at my house without telling me?
Beware of scams
People have been getting phone calls with a pre-recorded message telling them their Ontario Works account has been deleted.
This is a scam to trick you into sharing your personal information. If you get a call like that, hang up the phone. You can report these calls to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
If you're applying for or getting from Ontario Works (OW), they can visit you at home without telling you they're coming.
OW may visit you to check on whether you're eligible for assistance and the amount you should get. See Step 1.
But any visits must be during the OW office’s normal business hours.
If OW comes to your home
An OW worker can come into your home only if you let them in.
But OW can refuse to give you assistance or cut off your assistance if you don't let them in, unless you have a “valid reason”. See Step 2.
If OW thinks you’re breaking the law
If OW thinks you're lying to them or breaking the rules on purpose, they can ask the police to charge you with fraud. If this happens, get legal help right away.
