Social assistance

Additional benefits that may be available to you include:

• Funding to support the costs associated with person-centred services, as well as participation in activities and workshops designed to enhance employment readiness
• Help to cover child care costs if you get a job or are involved in an employment activity
• Help with prescriptions and other health costs through the Extended Health Benefit, if you are no longer eligible for Ontario Works financial assistance 

You may be eligible for the Extended Employment Health Benefit if you stopped receiving income assistance because you started working or increased your earnings, and you meet all of the following conditions:

• You are no longer eligible for income assistance only because your income now exceeds your budgetary requirements, but you still meet all other eligibility conditions, your assets are within the allowable limit, and you meet participation requirements
• You left income assistance due to employment income
• You do not qualify for the Extended Health Benefit
• Your employer's benefit plan does not already cover the benefits you're claiming under the Extended Employment Health Benefit. If your employer covers some benefits (such as dental), you can still receive the Extended Employment Health Benefit for the benefits your employer plan does not cover.

You and your family may be eligible for certain health-related benefits including:

Assistive devices

The balance of the cost of the device not covered by the Assistive Devices Program of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care including:

• Cost of an assessment for an assistive device
• Hearing aids
• Medical supplies
• Mobility devices
• Orthotics / prosthetics
• Respiratory devices
• Speech devices

Dental coverage for adults

• Basic dental coverage for relief of pain and suffering only
• For dental service, take your current month's dental card to the dentist

Dental coverage for children

• Children (0-17 years of age) are eligible for free dental care through the Healthy Smiles Ontario program

Children and youth currently receiving benefits from Ontario Works will be automatically moved into the new Healthy Smiles Ontario program.

Diabetic or surgical supplies and dressings

• Prescribed supplies that are not covered under other coverage

Medical travel

• To appointments including medical, rehabilitation or counselling

Prescription drug coverage

• For most drugs prescribed by an approved healthcare professional
• To fill a prescription, take your current month's drug card to the pharmacy

Vision care

• Eye exams for participants not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Program (includes those between the ages of 20 and 64)
• Prescription eyeglasses and eyeglass repairs

Have your monthly Ontario Works payments put directly into your bank account on the payment date, instead of getting a cheque in the mail that you have to cash..

To set up direct deposit, you must have a bank account. If you don't have a bank account, your cheque will be mailed to you. Your cheque may be cashed at the financial institute of your choice.

To sign up for direct deposit, send in or drop off the direct deposit authorization form at a Community Services office.

Before sending your form, remember:

• Do not use someone else's cheque
• Sign the cheque
• Attach a cheque specifically marked "void"

What to expect

• Your bank account must have withdrawal privileges
• A monthly Statement of Direct Deposit will be mailed to you
• Funds are deposited in your account at 12:01 a.m. on the payment due date (Automatic Teller Machines are one day behind)
• You will get a monthly Statement of Direct Deposit
• Creditors may attempt to recover outstanding debts from funds in your bank account. If you have concerns about this, contact your casemanager.

The Statement of Assistance will show the breakdown of your payment, which is your gross assistance amount and any deductions.

The statement can be used to access community benefits, such as food banks or subsidies for housing, transit and recreation.

Your statement can also be used by individuals in receipt of social assistance to access health related services and benefits, if they don't have an Ontario Health card or other government identification.

As an Ontario Works participant, you may need to complete and submit a statement of income (PDF) each month.

Speak with your casemanager about your particular situation and income reporting requirements.

Income may include:

• Boarder income
• Business or farm income
• Canada / Quebec Pension and other pensions
• Child or spousal support
• Compensation for victims of crime
• Employment income and tips
• Employment Insurance benefits
• Gifts of money
• Inheritance or money in trust
• Interest and dividends
• Insurance or accident claims
• Legal settlements
• Loan repayment
• Lottery wins
• Old Age Security
• Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
• Sponsorship payments
• Training allowances
• Veterans Allowance

Careful completion of your income report will help to ensure that you get your monthly cash benefit. Be sure to:

• Fill in each box (if you have no income to report, write "nil" in each box
• Report and give proof of all income
• Return the statement on the date indicated on the schedule of dates
• Read the declaration before you sign it

As an Ontario Works participant, you're responsible for repaying any money you received that you were not entitled to.

All overpayments are subject to recovery - on active and inactive cases. Only under exceptional circumstances is an overpayment considered uncollectible.

Overpayments can occur if:

• An amount has been provided to you that exceeds the amount of entitlement, the excess is an overpayment
• You, your spouse or dependent fails to honour an Assignment or Agreement to Reimburse
• Your assets exceed the asset limit for the benefit unit, you're ineligible for assistance and an overpayment is calculated for the period during which your assets were in excess of the limit
• Assets are not disclosed at the time of application and your assets place you above the asset limit
• Assets are received after the time of application and are not disclosed
• Through an administrative error, such as miscalculation or failure to act on information
• Your dependent spouse incurred an overpayment when they were a recipient or dependent spouse in a different benefit unit, an overpayment applies to his or her current benefit unit
• You and your dependent spouse move between programs (Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Family Benefits etc.) or between delivery agents throughout Ontario