How do I apply to Ontario Works?

Ontario Works (OW) needs detailed information about you and other people in your household to decide if you qualify for financial assistance.

It’s a good idea to collect all the information and have it ready when you apply. It speeds up the process if you have all the information and documents ready before you apply.

Information you need to give OW

You need to give the following information about yourself and anyone else in your household:

• name and date of birth
• immigration status
• income
• assets

You also have to give:

• your address
• your housing costs and what type of housing you live in, for example, whether you live in a place that you rent or own

Documents you need to show OW

You need to show OW documents that prove the information you give them is true.

Examples of documents you might use are:

• identity documents like a birth certificate or passport to prove name and date of birth
• the last income tax return or Notice of Assessment to show income
• pay stubs to prove income from work
• receipts from your landlord to prove how much rent you pay
• bank statements to show things like how much you have in savings

If you call Ontario Works (OW) to apply, they will:

• ask you some questions on the phone, and
• give you an appointment time to come in to the OW office to complete your application.

If you apply online, the information you enter goes to your local OW office. Within 3 business days, a worker from that office is supposed to phone you to set up an appointment to complete the application.

If you apply online but don’t have a phone number, call your local OW office to make the appointment.

What happens at the appointment

At the appointment, an OW worker asks you questions and asks for information to show that you qualify for assistance.

Make sure to bring all the documents that you’ll need.

Changing the meeting place

The interview is usually at the local OW office.

If getting to the local OW office is hard for you, ask to have the interview at your home or somewhere that’s better for you.