Ontario Works

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• An adult providing temporary care for a child who’s in financial need and is not your dependent
• Under the age of 18
• In need of a translator or do not speak English
• In an emergency situation in immediate need:
  • Homeless or pending eviction in less than 7 days
  • In a health related crisis
  • Victim of abuse
  • Victim of disaster (fire, flood etc.)
  • Applying for discretionary benefits including funeral applications

If you are not in one of these groups, but would like help completing an online application, visit a Welcome Space and a staff member will be able to assist you.

Health care and other benefits

If you receive Ontario Works, you may qualify for other benefits to help you pay for things like:

• Starting a job or training
• Items you need for work (safety boots, for example)
• Drugs and medical supplies
• Travel to medical appointments
• Eye care
• Diabetic supplies, surgical supplies and dressings
• A special diet
• Mobility or hearing aids 

Reporting requirements

If your living situation or income changes while you are receiving Ontario Works, you will need to fill out and submit a Change Form to your caseworker. This will ensure that you continue to receive the support you are eligible for.

If you are required to submit your earnings every month (money that you or others living with you receive through employment or paid training), you can download the Statement of Income and submit the completed form to your caseworker.

MyBenefits

If you already receive Ontario Works, sign up for MyBenefits to get information about your case, receive e-letters and report any income. Access MyBenefits on any device (smartphones, tablets and computers).

With MyBenefits, you can:

• send documents to your caseworker electronically, saving time and money
• check payment history and overpayment information
• report earned income and track status
• view profile information, report phone number and address changes
• view and download letters
• send messages to your Caseworker

Sign up for MyBenefits or ask your Caseworker for more information.

Note: As of April 22, 2024, Region of Waterloo Ontario Works MyBenefits clients will automatically switch to paperless communications. 

Overpayments

Changes in your life, such as getting a part-time job, paying less rent, or moving in with a partner, can impact how much money you receive from Ontario Works. Depending on when you report these changes to your caseworker, you may receive money you aren’t eligible for.

When this happens, it is called an overpayment. That money must be repaid. 10 percent of your benefits (formerly five percent) will be deducted each month until the extra amount is paid back in full. You can talk to your Ontario Works caseworker about lowering the monthly reduction to five percent.

Even if you no longer receive Ontario Works, you will be required to pay back the amount you were overpaid. 

There are several ways to do this:

1. Online
   • Through your online personal banking. Follow the instructions to add Waterloo Region Social Services as a new payee, and use your SAMS ID# as the account number to set up the payee. You can make a one-time payment or set-up recurring payments.
2. Visit one of three Community Services Welcome Spaces
   • You can make a repayment by cash, cheque, or debit
3. Write a cheque payable to the Region of Waterloo
   • Send by mail to: Region of Waterloo, Corporate Finance – Ontario Works Finance, 150 Frederick St., 4th floor, Kitchener, Ontario N2G 4J3

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