Ontario Works Questions & Answers
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QUESTIONS
What is a Participation Agreement?
What is an Income Reporting Statement?
How do I complete an Income Reporting Statement?
How do I receive a cheque every month?
How do earnings from a job affect Ontario Works assistance?
How do I calculate earning deductions from my monthly cheque?
What if I do not agree with a decision on my case?
What are employment related activities?
Do you provide assistance for medication?
What other benefits are available to Ontario Works Recipients?
ANSWERS
A: Ontario Works provides temporary financial assistance to those most in need while they meet obligations to become and stay employed. Ontario Works recipients must take part in employment assistance activities.
What is a Participation Agreement?
A: The Participation Agreement is part of the application for financial assistance. This agreement:
- Outlines your employment goals.
- Is a step-by-step plan to help you reach your goals.
- Lists employment related activities agreed upon by you and your case manager.
- Will bring you closer to financial independence.
As there are some exceptions each person must communicate to their case manager if they feel they cannot participate in activities.
What is an Income Reporting Statement?
A: To receive your monthly benefits you must complete an Income Reporting Statement every month. You must declare all income and attach verification (such as pay stubs). It must be received on or shortly after the 16th of each month to avoid any delay in your benefits. Payment is based on previous month's income. If your Income Statement is not filled out correctly, it will be returned to you and payment will be delayed.
How do I complete an Income Reporting Statement?
A: Please download a sample Income Reporting Statement [PDF 215KB].
Remember, if there is a spouse in the benefit unit, he or she must sign the income reporting statement along with the applicant.
How do I receive a cheque every month?
A: To receive your monthly benefits you must complete an Income Reporting Statement every month and declare all income you receive. Verification of this income must be attached. This statement is due on the 16th of each month. You also must provide all information requested by the office to verify your ongoing eligibility.
How do earnings from a job affect Ontario Works assistance?
A: As each case is different you should contact your case manager if you have a job offer or are receiving earnings from a job. There may be benefits and earnings exemptions to assist you in becoming financially independent.
A: To qualify for the earnings exemption, you must have received Ontario Works assistance the 3 months immediately prior to the month you begin to declare earnings. For example, if you have received Ontario Works assistance for January, February and March and send in an Income Reporting Statement for April with earnings, the earnings exemption would apply.
- Your total net earned income divided by 2 is your earnings exemption.
- If you have child care expenses this amount will be added to your earnings exemption amount.
- The earnings exemption amount is then deducted from your total net earnings declared.
- You are left with your deductible earnings.
- This amount is subtracted from your Ontario Works budget.
How do I calculate earning deductions from my monthly cheque?
A: View an example of how earnings deductions are calculated below.
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EXAMPLE |
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|---|---|
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Mary is a single parent with a 6 year-old child. She has been in receipt of Ontario Works assistance for 5 months. Her gross monthly income from employment is $1,275. Her total allowable payroll deductions are $275. Mary’s informal child care costs are $600 per month. Her Ontario Works budgetary requirements are $987. |
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Step 1: |
|
|
Gross earnings: |
$1,275 |
|
Mandatory payroll deductions: |
- $275 |
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Net earnings: |
$1,000 |
|
Step 2: |
|
|
Net earnings: |
$1,000 |
|
50% earnings exemption: |
÷ 2 |
|
Earnings exemption: |
$500 |
|
Step 3: |
|
|
Earnings exemption: |
$500 |
|
Child care deduction: |
+ $600 |
|
Total allowable deductions: |
$1,100 |
|
Step 4: |
|
|
Net earnings: |
$1,000 |
|
Total allowable deductions: |
- $1,100 |
|
Chargeable earnings: |
$0 |
|
Step 5: |
|
|
Budgetary requirements: |
$987 |
|
Chargeable earnings: |
- $0 |
|
Amount of assistance: |
$987 |
What if I do not agree with a decision on my case?
A: If you have made an application for Ontario Works assistance and have been denied, your ongoing case has been suspended or terminated, or your assistance has been varied, you have the right to appeal to our internal case file auditor in writing within 10 business days. If you do not agree with the decision made by our office you can appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal within 30 days. All forms can be obtained in the local office.
What are employment related activities?
A: Any activity that brings you closer to finding and keeping employment based on your skills and removing barriers to employment. There are many services that we provide as well as referring to outside agencies. The following is a list of employment related activities:
- Completing your Grade 12
- Creating a resume, updating your resume
- Contact employers, attend interviews
- Workshops
- Job finding clubs
- Short term job specific training programs
- Upgrading, including literacy, numeracy and computer skills
- Job specific skills
- Ontario Works Employment Placement and Community Placement Opportunities
- Addiction treatment
- Pardons
- Counselling
A: Non-Compliance is failure without good cause to follow the rules of eligibility (including your Participation Agreement) which can result n cancellation of your assistance, usually for a period of 3 or 6 months.
Do you provide assistance for medication?
A: If you are eligible for Ontario Works assistance you will receive with your monthly cheque a monthly Drug Benefit Eligibility Card. The Province of Ontario decides which medications will be covered under this card.
What other benefits are available to Ontario Works recipients?
A: There are many other benefits available to assist recipients of Ontario Works Assistance. These benefits include, but are not limited to, assistance with participation in employment-related activities or if you find full-time employment; assistance with a move; dental benefits; and special diet assistance. Please contact your case manager if you require any additional assistance to see if there are any additional benefits which can assist you, and if you meet the specific eligibility criteria.
