Ontario Works

Intake Process Change 

Starting Monday, November 28, 2022, as part of the implementation of a centralized intake partnership with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, the process for new applicants to apply for Ontario Works has changed. 

The changes are as follows: 

• Website links for online applications will change to the following:
  • English: https://ontario.ca/SocialAssistance
  • French: https://ontario.ca/AideSociale
  • Clients will need an email address and phone number to apply online. If you do not have an email address of phone number, please call 1-888-999-1142 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to apply. 
• Telephone applications can be completed by calling the following numbers:
  • 1-888-999-1142 - Monday to Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • TTY: 1-800-5559

MyBenefits is an online, easy to use, secure messaging feature for Ontario Works clients.  It is Fast, Easy and Secure.

It has two way messaging for staff and clients to communicate, share information and upload documents.

You can report income or address changes; view letters and more – anytime, anywhere and on any device.

 Register at: ontario.ca/MyBenefits

 MyBenefits Help Line:   1-888-999-6130 (Mon to Fri 8:30 am to 5:00 pm)

You can make Ontario Works overpayment repayments in the following ways:

1. In-Person at one of the following locations below. 

Hours and Locations - As of December 1, 2024

Please Note:   There may be times that the locations listed above may be unavailable as payment sites during their advertised hours (facility closure, staff illness, staff breaks and lunches, etc).  If you are planning on going to any of these locations, other than Citi Plaza, we highly recommend you call (519) 661-5575 prior to your visit to ensure a customer service representative will be available to assist you.

2.  Scheduled Payments by EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) directly from your bank account.

In order to sign up for the EFT repayment program you must complete the following application found below. Once you complete the form, follow the submission process outlined in the document. Be sure to include all of the required supporting documentation. Paper copies of this application are also available at the front counters of our Ontario Works offices:

• Citi Plaza
• London East
• Northland Mall
• South London Community Centre
• Westmount Shopping Centre

Ontario Works EFT Repayment Package

3. You can make payment by cheque or bank draft. 

Please ensure cheque or bank draft includes the following information: 

• Your full name 
• Your member Identification number so we can allocate funds to your account
• Make payment payable to Treasurer -City of London 

Payment can be delivered in person to any of the payment sites listed above, dropped into any of the Ontario Works drop boxes at office locations or mailed to: 

     Ontario Works Finance
     248- 355 Wellington Street
     P.O. Box 5045 London ON N6A 4L6

Important Information about upcoming changes to the Ontario Works Program. 

Employment Services Transformation – EST

EST is a new service delivery model that integrates the current Ontario Works (OW) employment services into Employment Ontario (EO). 

As part of EST, Ontario Works will work with Employment Ontario along with other community agencies and/or supports to help you get ready to secure long-term employment. 

Employment Ontario will help & support recipients of Ontario Works, in many ways including but not limited to:

• learning about job and career opportunities,
• writing a resume, 
• preparing for an interview,
• building job-related skills, 
• participate in training, and 
• finding and keeping a job 

They will assist in providing resources, services, workshops, and programs that would benefit you entering the workforce, keeping, and advancing in a job.

What is changing for you?

Ontario Works has been an employment-focused program that requires you to participate in employment readiness activities to keep receiving financial assistance each month.

Employment assistance activities will now be offered through Employment Ontario and the number of employment service providers that work with OW clients will increase providing you with more options.

The role of your Ontario Works caseworker will be to meet with you and support you in different areas that will assist with getting you ready to enter (or re-enter) the workforce.  Your caseworker will be able to offer supports such as: 

• connection to various community supports, 
• addressing issues that may involve your personal safety, 
• discussing health, and life skills that may require supports. 

This means that your participation requirements have expanded to include participation in services, programs, and resources that will bring you closer to being ready for employment. 

When you are ready, Ontario Works will refer you directly to Employment Ontario. Once your referral has been accepted, your Employment Ontario caseworker and Ontario Works caseworker will work together to support both your employment and personal goals. Your Ontario Works caseworker will be able to continue to support you as you work with Employment Ontario.

Participation requirements are mandatory to remain eligible for financial assistance. This is however based on your unique circumstances and will be supported and monitored by both the Ontario Works and Employment Ontario staff to ensure you are receiving the supports and services you need.

What about my benefits?

The money you receive for basic needs/ shelter allowance will not be impacted. However, changes will occur to the benefits you receive for employment related activities (i.e., Bus pass, internet, phone etc.). What does this mean for you?

• Benefits related to personal support needs will be reviewed by your Ontario Works caseworker to determine eligibility in January 2024 and onward.
• Benefits related to employment supports will be reviewed by your Employment Ontario caseworker to determine eligibility.

What’s next?

Over the coming months, your caseworker will contact you to complete an assessment and action plan. These are two new case management tools under Employment Services Transformation to help assess your needs and create a plan that will best support you.

For any questions or concerns about what this change means for you, please contact your Ontario Works Caseworker.

Pour voir cette page en français

Applying

If you are in receipt of Ontario Works or ODSP, please submit a prescription from a health care practitioner for health-related items and an estimate for the item you are requesting. Please ensure  your name and Member ID are clearly written on all documents. It is important to note that estimates are NOT required for the following items: eyeglasses, beds & appliances.

If you are not in receipt of Ontario Works or ODSP, you may apply for discretionary benefits by phone at 519-661-5910 or by following the link below to the application form. Please complete the application form and submit it and your supporting documentation to Discretionary Benefits care of PO Box 5045, London, ON N6A 4L6. You can also submit your application electronically at socialservices@london.ca .

You can also drop off your application and documentation at any social services drop box locations.

You may be asked to:

• Declare and provide proof of all household income.
• Provide proof of the need for item you are asking for - prescription, medical letter, utility disconnection notice etc.
• After you have completed the application process, your eligibility will be determined based on the nature of the essential or emergency supply items and the cost of your specific needs.
• If you are eligible you will be advised in writing and informed of the next steps.
• If you are ineligible, you will be advised in writing and details of the reasons for ineligibility will be outlined.

Application for Discretionary Benefits (Non-Social Assistance Recipients) (French)

Application for Discretionary Benefits (Non-Social Assistance Recipients) (English)

FAQs - Non-Social Assistance Recipient Application Frequently Asked Questions

Discretionary Benefits Application Instruction Sheet (French)

Discretionary Benefits Application Instruction Sheet (English)

Eligibility

The discretionary benefits program offers eligible London residents financial assistance to purchase essential health related and emergency assistance items when all other resources are exhausted. Its important to note that all items require pre-approval by the discretionary benefits staff.

Who may be eligible:

Individuals and families with low income and assets who receive:

• Low earnings
• Employment insurance
• WSIB
• CPP
• OAS
• GAINS
• Ontario Works assistance
• Ontario Disability Support Program Assistance
• Other Pension Income

Please Note: Not all health, basic items of need or services are covered by the discretionary benefits program, even if it is supported with medical documentation. Financial assistance may also be subject to funding and frequency limits and may be based on the number of people in the client's family unit.

The City of London's Discretionary Benefits Program may be able to provide financial assistance for basic funeral expenses on behalf of deceased residents of the City of London who do not have sufficient funds in their estate to cover the cost of a basic funeral, cremation and/or burial.

Please bring the items listed below to your appointment for all dependent children for whom you are applying as a temporary care provider.

Please Note: If you are unable to obtain all of the following documents, please attend your verification interview, however; it's important to note that failure to present these items for verification could delay the application process.

• Proof of Date of Birth - birth registrations, baptismal certificates, passports, immigration papers, bible records, school records, hospital or military records.
• Health Card Numbers for all temporary care children.
• Information about all temporary care children's assets - current value for bank accounts, past 60 days worth of statements, life insurance policies, investments, trust funds, properties, vehicles and any other valuables. 
• Information about all temporary care children's income from all sources - support payments, NCBS/Child Tax Credit/Baby Bonus.
• Proof of Citizenship, landed immigrant status, refugee status for all temporary care children.
• Verification of all temporary care children's school attendance - timetables, attendance reports and report cards.

Please bring the following items to your appointment regarding your background:

• Documentation of any custody arrangements through the Children's Aid Society or the courts.
• Verification of current address
• Identification - driver's license, birth certificate, baptismal certificates, bible records etc.

If you are unable to attend your verification interview, please call 519-661-4807 to cancel or rebook.

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Are you ready to join London's labour market? Ready to talk to employment experts, learn some new skills and maybe venture into a new industry sector? We can help you get there. 

The City of London's Employment Services Team, along with community employment and training providers are hosting free employment information sessions on various employment sectors to talk about workplace conditions, rates of pay and benefits, training opportunities and the necessary skills to succeed in your chosen field.  Each session takes place from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. We suggest logging into the sessions 5 to 10 minutes early to ensure no technical difficulties. If you require assistance with technology to participate, please contact your Ontario Works or ODSP Caseworker who can assist you.

Below is a link to all the recordings of the employment sessions from 2021. Please continue to check back to see the new schedule for 2022.

2021 Session Recordings

Reach out to one of the following employment agencies directly:

• Pathways Employment Help Centre
• Leads Employment Services
• Goodwill Industries Career Centre
• WIL Employment Solutions
• Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU)
• London Training Centre
• College Boreal
• Fanshawe Community Employment Services
• Nokee Kwe
• Hutton House
• ATN

Please remember to have your Ontario Works Member ID number when you call.

Ontario Works offers employment assistance for those looking to gain and maintain employment, including:

• Job search
• Job search support services
• Basic education
• Employment placement
• Job specific skills training
• Support to self-employment
• Substance abuse recovery programs
• Community participation
• Access to the Learning , Earning and Parenting program

It's important to note that additional funds may be provided to assist with any related participation expense while involved in approved Ontario Works activities. Please speak with your caseworker about a referral to one of the many employment partners the City of London works with.

 An active and highly engaged labour market is a sign of a healthy economy. To gauge the level of participation in the London Economic Region, the City of London and its regional partners engaged PwC to conduct a study to assess the reasons for decreasing labour market participation in the London Economic Region and ways to increase participation, especially within the prime-age demographic. Below is the results of that study.

Labour Market Participation Report - PwC

PwC Presentation DeckLabour Market Participation Lunch and Learn Video

• Citi Plaza -355 Wellington Street, Suite 248
• South London Community Centre - 1119 Jalna Boulevard
• Northland Mall - 107-1275 Highbury Ave.
• Westmount Shopping Centre - 785 Wonderland Rd. South
• East London Office - 1-1835 Dundas Street
• Canada Games Aquatic Centre - 1045 Wonderland Road North
• Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre - 244 Adelaide Street South
• Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre - 656 Elizabeth Street