1. Tell Ontario Works if you’re in custody
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.
Question and answer
Can I get OW if I’m in custody?If you're getting from Ontario Works (OW), you have to tell them if you're in custody.
You usually do not qualify for assistance when you're in custody.
If OW pays you for days when you do not qualify, this is an . And if OW says you have an overpayment, they’ll ask you to pay it back.
If you’re part of a household
If you're part of a household that gets financial assistance, OW reduces the amount of assistance for each full day that you're in custody.