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Community Development and Services

Ontario Works

How to Apply / Eligibility

If you are 16 years of age or older and wish to apply, you can Apply Online, in person or by calling the local Ontario Works office. 

500 Algonquin Blvd East
Timmins, ON P4N 1B7
705-268-7722 ext 3008
1-877-259-7722 (Toll Free)

6 Rue Ash Street
Kapuskasing, ON P5N 2C8
705-335-3435 ext 500
1-800-588-4443 (Toll Free)

142 Rue Front Street
Hearst, ON P0L 1N0
705-632-5663 ext 400
1-877-811-1192 (Toll Free)

149 5th Avenue
Cochrane, ON P0L 1C0
705-272-4214 ext 600
1-888-626-1538 (Toll Free)

33 Ambridge Drive
Iroquois Falls, ON P0K 1G0
705-232-4095 ext 700
1-800-461-2009 (Toll Free)

21 First Street
Moosonee, ON P0L 1Y0
705-336-2984 ext 800

Prior to making contact with your local office please make sure to have all information below for each family member:
  • Date of Birth;
  • Social Insurance Number;
  • Health Card Number;
  • Immigration Number & Date of Landing;
  • Asset Details (i.e. Banking, Vehicle, Property, RRSP, etc.);
  • Address
  • Current Income/Earnings (e.g. Wages, WSIB, CPP, EI, Spousal support).

Once you have been provided with an appointment to meet a Case Manager, it is very important for you and all required members be present to complete the application. Failing to attend will delay the determination of your eligibility. The following information is required to assess eligibility. You may be required to provide a copy of the following:

  • Birth Certificate
  • Social Insurance Number
  • Health Card Number
  • Immigration Number and Date Of Landing (if applicable)
  • Marital Status
  • Accommodation Costs including rent, mortgage, utilities, home/tenant insurance
  • Bank Account Information for the last three months
  • Information on earnings and income
  • Court orders/agreements for spousal support (if applicable)
  • Court order of child custody
  • Assets

Please note that the applicant, spouse and any dependent adult (18 years or older) in the family unit must attend this application.

Eligibility
You might be eligible for Ontario Works if you:

  • need help with your living expenses, meaning you do not have enough money to cover your immediate family’s living expenses
  • are 16 or older
  • live in Ontario (and are not a visitor or a tourist)

How we assess your eligibility
When you apply to Ontario Works, you will need to give us information about your:
  • family composition
  • income
  • assets

Income may include:
  • spousal support, government payments, employment insurance, WSIB, employment earnings and any other payments received by any member of the family unit

Assets may include:
  • cash, bonds, RRSP, cash surrender value of a life insurance policy, vehicles and any other asset that can be readily liquidated

Ontario Works staff will use this information to determine if you are financially eligible.
You will have to sign an application for Financial Assistance (part 1), a Participation Agreement (part 2) and consent forms to be eligible for Ontario Works.

Temporary Care Assistance 
Temporary care assistance is the assistance available to an adult who is:

  • looking after a child in financial need
  • he or she is not the natural or adoptive parent (has no legal obligation to support the child)
  • where the care is temporary in duration
  • the parent may be temporarily unable to support the child because of financial or other special circumstances such as: in hospital for an extended period of time, the parents may be deceased, whereabouts unknown

Ontario Works – Employment Services

The Cochrane District Services Board (CDSB) is responsible for the direct delivery of Ontario Works across the Cochrane District. 

Ontario Works is a provincial program that provides temporary financial and employment assistance to eligible residents of Ontario. 

Eligibility 

You might be eligible for Ontario Works if you:

  • Are 16 years old, or older
  • Are a resident of Ontario (not a visitor or tourist)
  • Need help with your living expenses, meaning you don’t have enough money to cover you and/or your immediate family’s living expenses

 

How to Apply

There are several ways to apply for Ontario Works, including:

Applying Online:
Fill out the Online application here. 

In-Person:
Please attend in-person, or call your closest Ontario Works office.

What You Need to Know About Applying for Ontario Works

Before applying, please make sure you have all information for each family member who lives with you: 

  • Date of Birth
  • Social Insurance Number
  • Health Card Number
  • Immigration Number & Date of Landing (if applicable)
  • Asset Details (Banking, Vehicle(s), Property, RRSP, etc.) 
  • Current Address
  • Current Income/Earnings

 

You may be required to provide copies of:

  • Birth Certificate(s)
  • Social Insurance Card(s)
  • Health Card(s)
  • Immigration Documents (if applicable)
  • Marital Status (Marriage Certificate)
  • Accommodation Costs (Rental Agreements, Mortgage, Utility Bills, Home/Tenant Insurance)
  • Information on Earnings/Income (Pay Stubs, T4s, etc.)
  • Court Order(s) or Agreements for Spousal Support (if applicable)
  • Court Order(s) for Child Custody
  • Asset Documentation

 

After submitting your application, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment with a Case Manager to review your application. The applicant, spouse and any dependent adults (18 years or older) in the family unit must attend this appointment. 

Temporary Care Assistance

Temporary Care Assistance is assistance available for an adult who:

  • Is looking after a child in financial need where:
    • They are not the natural or adoptive parent of the child (they have no legal obligation to support the child)
    • The care is temporary in duration
    • The parent(s) may be temporarily unable to support the child because of financial or other special circumstances such as hospitalization for an extended period of time, the parent(s) are deceased or the parents’ whereabouts are unknown

 

How We Assess Eligibility

When applying for Ontario Works, we look at:

  • Family composition
  • Income
  • Assets

 

Income may include child or spousal support, government payments, employment insurance (EI), WSIB, employment earnings or other payments received. 

Assets may include cash, bonds, RRSP(s), cash surrender value of a life insurance policy, vehicles or any other asset that can be readily liquidated.