Go to Tip Sheets

Other Sources of Information (Links)

The Law

Regulations

Policy Directives

Rates

Local Ontario Works Offices

Appeals

Other

Latest Social Assistance Resources from CLEONet

The Law

Ontario Works Act, 1997

This is the law that sets out all the rights and obligations for receiving Ontario Works/Welfare in Ontario.

Most Relevant Regulations

Other Regulations

ADMINISTRATION AND COST SHARING - Ontario Reg. 135/98

DESIGNATION OF GEOGRAPHIC AREAS AND DELIVERY AGENTS - Ontario Reg. 136/98

Policy Directives

Ontario Works - Policy Directives

These are the policies that apply to most of the day to day decisions made about benefits and rights.

Ministry of Community and Social Services - Ontario Works

This government of Ontario web page provides you with the latest provincial news about Ontario Works, including a link for how to apply and a link for frequently asked questions.

Ministry of Community and Social Services - Ontario Works News Releases

Current Rates

Social Assistance, Pension and Tax Credit Rates (Oct-Dec 2008) (PDF, 2 pgs)  (Prepared by the Statistics and Analysis Unit, Social Policy Development Division, Ministry of Community & Social Services)

Social Assistance Rate Restructuring and Child Benefits Fact Sheet (ISAC) (PDF, 4 pgs) - prepared by the Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC) (this sheet includes the 2% increase effective November 2007 and changes to benefits for families effective July 2008)

Local Ontario Works Offices

Hastings County Social Services

This page on the Hastings County site outlines what is Ontario Works and lists contact names and numbers for its staff.  It also provides links for Ontario Works forms, frequently asked questions (FAQs) and community resources.

Prince Edward - Lennox and Addington Social Services

This home page for Ontario Works in Prince Edward and Lennox and Addington counties provides very important information about applying for benefits, the type of benefits available, working and collecting benefits, and appealing negative decisions.

Appeals

Social Benefits Tribunal

The Social Benefits Tribunal hears appeals by people in Ontario who disagree with a decision that affects the amount of or their eligibility for social assistance. Their website offers pamphlets on appealing decisions, downloadable forms, practice directions and information about tribunal members. 

Click for a direct link to the SBT APPEAL FORM (PDF - 18 kb, 4 pgs)

Other

Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) - publications available on social assistance issues

CLEONet

Visit CLEONet's page about appeals and internal reviews.  You can find the CLEO brochure on appeals and internal reviews here as well as an Internal Review form you can print and fill out.

HIV and Aids Legal Clinic of Ontario (HALCO)

HALCO has updated their 2005 PowerPoint presentation entitled "2005 OW and ODSP Benefits"(a  presentation given by Catharine Allan to Community Legal Clinics (Legal Aid Ontario) on May 16, 2005), to the new "ODSP and OW Benefits Powerpoint Presentation - Nov 1, 2006."  You can view it here online (no special software required) or download it (requires PowerPoint 2003). 

Some of the extra benefits covered by the Ontario Disability Support Plan (ODSP) and Ontario Works (OW) are outlined in this PowerPoint presentation. The presentation slides cover information about coverage for drug and dental benefits, mandatory special necessities, community start up and maintenance benefit, employment start up benefit, OW discretionary benefits, and ODSP "special extras".

Income Security and Advocacy Centre (ISAC)

The Income Security Advocacy Centre works with and on behalf of low income communities in Ontario to address issues of income security and poverty. The Centre initiates and conducts test case and Charter litigation, law reform and community development related to federal and provincial income security programs such as Ontario Works, the Ontario Disability Support Program, Employment Insurance and the Canada Pension Plan.

View a complete list of fact sheets here.

ODSP Action Coalition

Provides information on the Special Diet Allowance (OW and ODSP).

Help with Income Tax Preparation   Read about how to get help with income tax preparation on our Income Tax page.  There are several organizations that offer free help for disabled or low income persons to complete their income tax forms (during tax season).

Latest Social Assistance Resources from CLEONet