Learn the rules about OW and hospital stays
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 & Answer
Can I still get OW while I’m in the hospital?The rules about getting assistance from Ontario Works (OW) while you're staying in the hospital apply to:
OW can pay you while you're in the hospital.
For the first 3 months, this assistance can include the amount they give you for housing if:
- you have a place to live outside the hospital, and
- you're still paying your housing costs, for example, your rent.
Treatment programs for substance abuse
If you're being treated in a live-in program for substance abuse, for example, problems with drugs or alcohol, you still have to follow OW rules to get assistance. For example, OW might say you have to complete the treatment program.
If you don’t have to pay for room and board
If you don't have to pay for room and board in the program, OW's rules about getting assistance for housing are the same as if you're in a hospital.
If you have to pay for room and board
OW can give you assistance to help pay for room and board in the live-in treatment program. If you get assistance to pay for room and board, you don't get assistance to pay for other housing.
After 3 months
If you're in the hospital longer than 3 months, OW may reduce the amount of assistance that they give you to help pay for your housing outside the hospital. But if you're still paying for that housing, OW does not have to do this.
If you're in a treatment program longer than 3 months and you have to pay for room and board, OW can give you assistance to help pay those costs.
