Information About. Ontario Works. Community and Health Services Department Social Services Branch

Transcription

1 Information About Ontario Works Community and Health Services Department Social Services Branch

2 What is Ontario Works? Ontario Works helps people find jobs, develop skills, and access other supports as needed. Ontario Works provides monthly financial assistance to those who qualify. Financial assistance includes a monthly payment to cover food and shelter costs, and other benefits. If you qualify, the amount you may receive will depend on things like your: Family size Shelter costs Income To be eligible for Ontario Works you must: Employment Activities We ll help you develop a return-to-work plan. This plan is designed to help you get back to work, and it will be updated as you move towards finding a job. There are many ways to participate in Ontario Works including: Job searching Workshops Paid employment Volunteering School or training Employment Resource Centres Employment Resource Centres are located in each Ontario Works office. Many of the tools needed to look for work, such as computers, Internet, fax machines, and photocopiers are free for Ontario Works participants to use. Live in York Region Have assets and income within Ontario Works limits and meet other eligibility requirements Be willing to participate in Ontario Works employment activities Participating in Employment Activities Most Ontario Works participants are required to participate in employment activities. You may not have to participate if you: have a disability that prevents you from working are over age 65 are a single parent with non-schoolage children

3 Ontario Works Benefits Drug Card Monthly coverage for approved prescription drugs Dental Care Basic dental care for children and adults Vision Care Glasses for children and adults Special Diet Allowance Money to help pay for a special diet for specific medical conditions Employment Start-Up Benefits Help with expenses related to new employment Community Start-Up Benefits Money to help with costs related to moving to a new residence or maintaining a current residence Other Assistance Money to help pay for medical supplies, transportation, supports for people with disabilities (such as, wheelchair repair), etc. How to Apply CALL A staff member will ask you some questions and your answers will help determine if you may be eligible. The call will take from 30 to 60 minutes. Before calling, gather the following information about yourself and all your family members: Date of birth Social Insurance Number (SIN) Health Card number Immigration number/sponsorship information/date of landing, if applicable Full address, including postal code Cost of rent or mortgage Landlord s name and address Cost of utilities (gas, hydro, water) Bank account information Address history for the past 12 months Employment history for the past 24 months Any sources of income Assets (vehicle, RRSPs, etc.) If you seem to be eligible, the staff member will schedule an appointment at your local office and tell you which documents you must bring to the interview. During your office interview, a staff member will review your documents and complete your application for Ontario Works.

4 Accessing Your Information The Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone system is a convenient way for you to get specific and confidential information about your assistance and general information about Ontario Works programs during and outside regular business hours. If you call the IVR number at , you can access: Personal case information Most recent cheque details (date issued and amount) Recent cheque history (payments within the last 45 days) Information on overpayment deductions Case status, such as ongoing, suspended or closed Within two to three weeks of your first monthly payment, you will receive your Member ID number and Personal Identification Number (PIN) in the mail. You will need these numbers to access the IVR system. Contacting Your Worker Contact your case worker if: You have found a paid job or a volunteer position There are changes to your living arrangements such as: Moving or moved to a new address Someone has moved into or out of your home A rent increase or decrease You will be absent from Ontario You have a new person who is dependent on you (e.g. child, elderly parent, or person with a disability) If there are any changes to your income (such as, employment insurance, child or spousal support) or any new assets (such as, a new bank account, car or house)

5 When You Find Employment If you are working more than 30 hours per week, you may be eligible for a one-time benefit of up to $500 to help with the cost of starting your new job, such as the cost of uniforms, safety equipment, tools, etc. Even if you no longer qualify for assistance due to your income, you may still be eligible for up to $500 in employment supports. When you leave Ontario Works because of your earnings from a job, you may still be eligible to receive some benefits for up to six months. Benefits could include: Prescription drugs (drug card) Dental and vision care Child care costs How to Appeal a Decision If you disagree with a decision that affects your assistance, you can appeal the decision. If you wish to appeal, you ll need to send a written request for an Internal Review. If you disagree with the Internal Review decision, you can then appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal. The Social Benefits Tribunal will review the decision made by Ontario Works in accordance with the legislation and provide you with a written decision. The Social Benefits Tribunal is an independent organization separate from Ontario Works and The Regional Municipality of York.

6 Understanding Your Cheque 1. Direct Bank Deposit (DBD) Statement or Cheque Shows the amount of assistance issued to you 2. Statement of Assistance Is your cheque stub Shows your gross assistance plus any deductions Should be kept safe for future reference 3. Drug Benefit Eligibility Card Valid only for current benefit month Shows name of each person covered Should be given to your pharmacist with your drug prescription 4. Statement of Income Consider all sections carefully - it is a legal declaration, admissible in a court of law Sign, date, and mail on the 16 th of each month If you do not complete your statement correctly your next cheque may be delayed DATE 25 Feb Feb Feb 2009 Statement of Income / Déclaration de Revenu YOU ARE DECLARING INCOME FOR / VOUS DÉCLAREZ VOS REVENUS POUR LA PÉRIODE DE D/J M/M Y/A D/J M/M Y/A TO / À CASE LOAD CH. DE CAS OFFICE BUREAU / NOM MEMBER ID CODE D ID DU MEMBRE 4 3 NAME DOE, JANE INCOME CHANGE DVD OVERRIDE REPORT ALL GROSS INCOME RECEIVED BY YOU AND YOUR DEPENDANTS MAIL THIS FORM TO THE ADDRESS BELOW CHANGE AU REVENUE OUTREPASSER DBD ATTACH APPROPRIATE VERIFICATION INCLUDING CHILDCARE EXPENSES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER DAY MONTH YEAR JOUR MOIS ANNÉE YES NO INDIQUEZ TOUT REVENU BRUT REÇU PAR VOUS-MÊME OU PAR VOS DÉPENDENTS ENVOYEZ CETTE CARTE À L ADRESSE INDIQUÉE OUI NON JOIGNEX TOUTE PIÈCE JUSTIFICATIVE, INCLUANT LES FRAIS DE GARGE D ENFANTS CI-DESSOUS DÉS QUE POSSIBLE APRÉS LE IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES, SUCH AS TELEPHONE NUMBER, NUMBER IN FAMILY, ETC., WRITE NEW INFORMATION BELOW. VEUILLEZINSCRIRE CI-DESSOUS TOUT CHANGEMENT D ADRESSE, DE NUMERO DE TÉLÈPHONE, DU NOMBRE DE PERSONNES DANS LA FAMILLE, ETC. NEWMARKET ONTARIO WORKS 62 Bayview Parkway Newmarket ON L3Y 3W3 I/We declare the information given here to be accurate and complete. Je/Nous déclare que renseignement fournis la présente sont exacts et complets. APPLICANT SIGNATURE DATE I/WE HEREBY REQUEST CONTINUANCE OF THE ASSISTANCE GRANTED ME UNDER THE ONTARIO WORKS ACT. I DECLARE THAT, TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF, THAT I AM ELIGIBLE FOR SUCH ASSISTANCE REPORTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE IS ALL THE INCOME MY DEPENDANTS* AND I HAVE RECEIVED FROM ALL SOURCES SINCE MY LAST REPORT. I AM AWARE THAT I MAY BE PENALIZED OR BE LIABLE FOR PROSECUTION FOR KNOWINGLY MAKING FALSE OR MISLEADING STATEMENTS. SPOUSE SIGNATURE DATE *DEPENDANTS INCLUDE YOUR SPOUSE AND ALL DEPENDENT PERSONS LIVING WITH YOU. JE/NOUS DEMANDE PAR LA PRÈSENTEQUE LES PRESTATIONS DONT J AI BENÈFICIE EN VERTUDE LA LOI DE L ONTARIO AU TRAVAIL CONTINUENT DE MÈTRE VERSÉES JE DÉCLARE QU À MA CONNAISSANCE JE SUIS ADMISSIBLE À CES PRESTATIONS. LE REVENU QUE LES PERSONNES À MA CHARGE* ET MOI-MÊME AVONS REÇU DE TOUTES SOURCES DEPUIS MA DERNIÈRE DÉCLARATION EST INDIQUÉ AU VERSO. JE SUIS CONSCIENT QUE QUICONQUE FOURNIT SCIEMMENT DES RENESEIGNMENT FAUX OU TROMPEURS EST PASSIBLE DE PÉNALTIÉS OU DE POURSUITES. *PAR PERSONNES À CHARGE ON ENTEND VOTRE CONJOINT(E) ET TOUTES LE PERSONNES À VOTRE CHARGE QUI HABITENT AVEC VOUS. (SEE REVERSE SIDE / VOIR AU VERSO)

7 Other Services LEAP Our Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) program helps young parents to gain their high school diploma and also provides: Free child care while the parent is in school Money for school supplies, clothes, and class trips Funding for transportation to and from child care and school Access to employment resources Parenting and child development information and activities Child, Spousal and Sponsor Support If you become an Ontario Works participant you must pursue any support owed to you (except in certain situations, such as cases of documented violence/abuse). This includes pursuing child support, spousal support, and if you are a sponsored immigrant, support from your sponsor. Additional programs and services offered: Child Care Fee Assistance Programs for Children with Special Needs Domiciliary Hostels Emergency Shelters Homemakers and Nurses Services Parenting and Children s Programs Recreational Programs and Summer Camp Social Housing in York Region Transition Homes For more information on all of our programs and services: TTY We will help you explore options, pursue support payments, and build your path to financial independence.

8 Office Locations Richmond Hill Office Yonge St. Beresford Dr. High Tech Rd. Richmond Hill Office 50 High Tech Road, 3 rd Floor Richmond Hill or X HRDC South Services Office Restaurant Movie Theatre Hwy. 7 Bayview Ave. Hwy. 404 Hwy. 407 N Georgina Office Lake Simcoe The Queensway S. Morton Ave. Hardware Store X Georgina Office Woodbine Ave. Coffee Shop Jackson s Point Metro Rd. High St. Baseline Rd. Ravenshoe Rd. Georgina Office Woodbine Avenue Keswick or Dalton Rd. Highway 48 N Newmarket Office N Vaughan Office Langstaff Rd. N Highway 9 Bathurst St. Yonge St. Newmarket Office X Bayview Parkway Southlake Regional Health Centre Mulock Dr. Leslie St. Davis Drive Highway 404 Ansley Grove Rd. Whitmore Rd. X Winges Rd. Highway 7 Vaughan Office Weston Rd. Highway 400 Newmarket Office 62 Bayview Parkway Newmarket or Vaughan Office BDC Building 3901 Highway 7, Suite 501 Woodbridge or

9 For more information on Community and Health Services, call the Contact Centre at: TTY For information on hundreds of community-based agencies, services and related government offices, go to YorkLink - York Region s online community services directory. Click on the YorkLink icon at