You must be a resident of Ontario and at least 16 years of age to apply for the Ontario Works Program. Please refer to the FAQs section of this website for more information on applicants under the age of 18.
Eligibility for assistance depends on a number of individual factors such as available income, assets and participation in approved employment activities.
The rules of eligibility are designed to ensure persons turn to social assistance only when all other financial resources have been exhausted. A summary of the maximum allowable asset levels and income levels is provided for you. This information should only be used as a guideline. Detailed information concerning eligibility criteria for Ontario Works is available through the Ontario Works Policy Directives.
Assets:
The following are considered assets and will be considered when determining your eligibility:
- Cash on hand or in a bank account
- Financial investments such as bonds, stocks, certificates, RRSPs, GICs, mutual funds etc.
- The cash surrender value of a life insurance policy
- Financial interest in a secondary property or property that can be readily converted to money
- Assets held in trust for you
- secondary vehicles including boats, trailers, motorcycles, snow machines etc. (unless needed for employment purposes)
Ontario Works Allowable Asset Limits
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Single
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$592
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Couple
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$1,021
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Couple and one dependent
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$1,708
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Couple and one dependent, plus additional dependents
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$1,708 + $500 for each additional dependent
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Single with one dependent
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$1632
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Single with one dependent, plus additional dependents
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$1632 + $500 for each additional dependent
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Child in temporary care or a dependent of a dependent
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$500
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The following assets are exempt and will not be considered when determining your eligibility:
- Business assets (up to $10,000 per member is exempt)
- Farm assets (exempt for the first 6 months)
- Prepaid funeral (up to $5,000 per member is exempt)
- Primary vehicle (up to $10,000)
- Secondary vehicle (up to $10,000 exempt if vehicle is required to obtain or maintain employment)
- Principal residence
- Locked in Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) (exempt if attached to a company pension and locked in until retirement age)
- Awards for pain and suffering (up to a maximum of $25,000 exempt)
- Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
- Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
- Personal loans, grants, awards for training/school (exempt when used for the purchase of household items necessary for the health or well being of a member, tuition, books, administrative fees etc.)
NOTE: Please indicate on your Ontario Works application if you are applying for the Ontario Disability Support Program and are over the allowable Ontario Works asset levels. Special consideration may be given.
The following are considered income and will be considered when calculating your eligibility:
- all employment earnings received by a dependant child or adult who is attending or returning to full time schooling or training program.
- Locked in money under the Pensions Benefit Act.
- Payments under Bill 165 of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (up to $25,000 under Non Economic Loss is exempt).
- Income Tax Refunds
- Foster Child's Payments received under the Children's Aid Society.
- Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC) or First Nations Secondary School boarding payment.
- The Administrator may approve to exempt a portion of a loan when no other government funds are available:
- for medically necessary health related issues
- for the purchase of a vehicle required to gain and maintain employment
- for post secondary education costs
- for the payment of first and last month's rent
- for a business operation
- Skills Development Employment Benefit received under the Employment Insurance Act.
- Casual gifts or payments of small value.
- Donations received from a religious or charitable organization.
- Payments received under the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program.
- Payments for Special Services in a Nursing home provided by the operator of the nursing home.
- Ontario Child Care Supplement for Working Families
- Payments received under the 1986-1990 Hepatitis C Settlement Agreement.
- Payments received under the Walkerton Compensation Plan.
- Bursary received under the Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) Incentive program.
- Earnings of Dependent Adults (who are attending secondary school full-time or an amount paid under a training program)
- Earnings of Dependent Children who are registered in school