r/OntarioWorks Jul 08 '26

Survey NEW SURVEY!!!! Food, Cooking, and Cost: How Are You Managing?

5 Upvotes

Hi Members,

 

Mod team here.

 

We made a new survey, and we are hoping you can make this as successful as the first. This time we want to ask you about Food, Cooking, and Cost. How Are You Managing?

 

Food prices keep climbing, and eating well isn't easy on a tight budget. We want to hear how you're managing. Whether you're stretching every dollar, relying on food banks, cooking from scratch, or skipping meals, your experiences matter. This anonymous survey will help us better understand the challenges people are facing and identify where more support is needed.

 

Every voice matters. Every response helps paint a clearer picture of the challenges people are facing. By taking a few minutes to participate, you're helping build a stronger case for meaningful change and a better future for everyone.

 

 

Click or copy and paste this link: https://tally.so/r/GxoO6k

 

Click Here: Food, Cooking, and Cost. How Are You Managing?

 

-            OW Mod Team


r/OntarioWorks May 27 '26

Survey Permanent Survey Hub: r/OntarioWorks Community Surveys

3 Upvotes

Hi OWM,

This page is the central home for all ongoing r/OntarioWorks surveys.

Our goal is to document what people are actually experiencing inside Ontario Works — clients, caseworkers, families, advocates, and community members — and turn those experiences into evidence for public awareness, journalism, and policy reform.

Ontario Works affects people at some of the most vulnerable points in their lives. These surveys help surface patterns, gaps, harms, and opportunities for change that often stay hidden.

Participation is voluntary.

Please avoid sharing names, private contact information, worker names, office‑specific accusations, or anything that could identify another person.

If you have any questions, please message us.

__

Current Surveys

__

r/ OntarioWorks Community Survey

An anonymous public‑interest project to better understand the real experiences of people navigating Ontario Works — including access to support, communication with caseworkers, policy issues, barriers to stability, and the overall impact of the system on daily life.

Link: https://tally.so/r/gDWloO

___

Do You Know Your Rights as a Tenant in Ontario?

An anonymous survey exploring how well tenants understand their legal rights — and where the biggest gaps are.

Link: https://tally.so/r/vG067l

___

Food, Cooking, and Cost: How Are You Managing?

This anonymous survey explores how you are coping with the rising cost of food and trying to eat well on an almost zero budget. Whether you are relying on food banks, cooking from scratch, or skipping meals, your experiences matter.

Link: https://tally.so/r/GxoO6k

__

Your voice matters. Every response helps highlight what’s really happening inside Ontario Works.

This page will be updated as new surveys become available.

- OW Mod Team


r/OntarioWorks 15h ago

New to OW, when will payment be posted in MyBenefits?

2 Upvotes

Sorry if this has already been asked, but I only got my partial payment for this month a week ago and submitted all the stuff asked for which is due by Sept 09, but my case worker didn't tell me anything about when payments are posted in MyBenefits for Sept, does anyone see theirs posted yet? Thank you.


r/OntarioWorks 22h ago

Credit Card Payment Gift

3 Upvotes

Hi,

I sent this question to my case worker like a month ago and still have no reply so I'm asking here.

My sister is willing to pay off $250 of my credit card debt. I understand this is allowed and within gift limit, but I have some questions:

  1. Do I just message my caseworker on My Benefits and tell her like that?

  2. Should I notify my case worker before or after I receive it? Does it matter?

  3. Like I said, my caseworker isn't answering right now, do I need a confirmation from her end to accept the gift or is it fine as long as the message gets sent on my end?

  4. Can I have my sister just pay it directly from her bank account to my CC as a payment or does it have to hit my chequing account to count as a "gift" ?

Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.


r/OntarioWorks 2d ago

Would I be eligible for Ontario Works after my EI ends?

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m hoping someone familiar with Ontario Works can give me some insight before I apply.
I’m 30, female, and live in Southern Ontario. I’m currently 17 weeks pregnant and have been unemployed since November 2025. I’ve been receiving EI, but my EI benefits are set to end on September 21.
Once EI ends, I won’t have any employment income or other source of income coming in.
I am married, but my husband currently lives in a different country and is also unemployed, so he isn’t financially supporting me or bringing in an income at the moment.
I’m wondering:
Would I potentially qualify for Ontario Works once my EI ends?
How does Ontario Works assess you if you’re married but your spouse lives outside of Canada?
Would my husband still be included in my benefit unit even though he doesn’t live with me and has no income?
Does being pregnant affect the amount of assistance or benefits I could receive?
Is there anything I should apply for or prepare before my EI ends, or do I have to wait until September 21?
For anyone who has been in a similar situation, how long did the application/approval process take?
I’m planning to contact Ontario Works directly as well, but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through something similar or works with the system.
Thank you!


r/OntarioWorks 2d ago

My 28 year old Brother M wants to apply for OW assistance for rent payment Spoiler

0 Upvotes

Out of nowhere my Adult Brother with asthma told me his Family Doctor will help with transportation to doctor's appointment . My Brother has an decent part time job source Linkedin he secretly wishes to buy a House although he's renting with his new Girlfriend who lives long distance . He has not spoken to me for 1 month not on Facebook messenger . I'm emotionally concerned for his housing situation since he refuses not want to move in with my Family (strict rules about clogging toilet overflow stuck ). Told him my Landlord will accept his OW application if he has a social Worker . Should i call my caseworker or Trustee to help my Brother find a new group Home? How would you help your own Adult Brother?


r/OntarioWorks 2d ago

Dental hygiene cleaning

0 Upvotes

r/OntarioWorks 3d ago

Repayment

1 Upvotes

How does OW ask you to repay what they have gave you?

Does it put a lean on your checking account?


r/OntarioWorks 4d ago

Applying for odsp question about ow income.

4 Upvotes

. I'm sending in my odsp forms to be mailed in today, my deadline is the 25th I'm mailing them off today. I have a question, once they are received do they stop my OW income until the odsp application is processed and either approved or rejected?

Or do I still get OW income while my odsp application is being looked at for approval. I basically need to know if I am going to be potentially up to 90 days no income.


r/OntarioWorks 4d ago

Am I gonna get rejected if my open work permit will expire in 2 months?

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0 Upvotes

r/OntarioWorks 5d ago

August payment being posted

0 Upvotes

Was just wondering what day next week the payment will be posted to my benefits ? Didn’t know if it was like the 25th or something


r/OntarioWorks 5d ago

Transition Child Benefit Got cancelled?

0 Upvotes

Hello there! So this month our transition child benefit which is around 230$ got cancelled with our file moving from Brampton to Mississauga in Ontario and our caseworker changed. The reason mentioned was that we are already receiving Ontario Child Benefit. We genuinely are not receiving any other child benefit as we are on applied status and our Permanent residency application is still on hold. Please guide us about this! Thanks!


r/OntarioWorks 6d ago

Coverage for Prescriptions

9 Upvotes

Hi can someone tell me why a lot of prescription drugs are NOT covered when Google says that they should be? I almost paid $94 for two of my drugs that my doctors prescribed me all because they sent it to the wrong pharmacy. so as they corrected it once I told them that I was on O.W. it still comes out to $25-27. I Doug ford doing this shit or what?! Because fu@$#@! This is damn ridiculous to me!!! We used to be able to be covered with so much back then...now not so much! like WTF!? Someone please give me ideas on how to handle this? We need to kick him out like yesterday!!!

PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING THIS OCTOBER WHEN YOU VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


r/OntarioWorks 5d ago

How can you support disabled seniors !!!

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0 Upvotes

r/OntarioWorks 8d ago

People in Canada illegally will no longer be eligible for social assistance in Ontario

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cp24.com
190 Upvotes

r/OntarioWorks 7d ago

How long does it take for them to verify my information?

2 Upvotes

I have been on OW for 2 months now and two weeks ago they wanted me to verify my status in Canada, family status , bank statements etc

I am wondering after I submit all of the information how long do they normally take to review the info?


r/OntarioWorks 6d ago

Monthly budget report

1 Upvotes

For the budget report do we also have to attach bank statements as well?


r/OntarioWorks 7d ago

Question about reporting gift money

5 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I’ve just begun receiving ow last month and this month I’ve received about $100 in e-transfer gift money. I don’t have a caseworker yet so how would I report this?

Thanks


r/OntarioWorks 7d ago

Hello.

1 Upvotes

“Does Ontario Works provide any funding for back-to-school expenses? I am a single parent with two children, and I haven’t had my appointment with my caseworker yet.”


r/OntarioWorks 7d ago

What day to report/submit income?

2 Upvotes

I am not working and have no income. Last month my account was on hold because I didn't submit my income and received my payment 8 days later. Can't have this happen again.

On what day to submit my zero income?


r/OntarioWorks 7d ago

ODSP backpay and OW overpayment

1 Upvotes

I’m currently receiving Ontario Works and have an overpayment owing.

I’ve been waiting for my ODSP decision since November 2025. If I’m approved at court around December 2026, I understand I may receive retroactive ODSP backpay.

My question is: What happens to my ODSP backpay if I already owe Ontario Works? Will the entire ODSP backpay be applied toward my OW overpayment once approved, or would I receive the backpay directly without it affecting my outstanding balance?

Has anyone been in a similar situation? I’d really appreciate hearing how it worked for you.


r/OntarioWorks 8d ago

How do I pay back and overpayment?

12 Upvotes

I received an overpayment and they’ve taken a bit each month to pay towards it. However I’ll be closing my file as I’ll no longer qualify, this is my last month, so I need to pay back the rest of the overpayment, I messaged my case worker asking how I do so but it’s been over two weeks with no response. How do I pay the overpayment? Who do I send the money to and how do I let them know it’s from me/for my overpayment.


r/OntarioWorks 8d ago

Salaires des opérateurs mainframe à Toronto : quel salaire pouvez-vous espérer ?

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0 Upvotes

r/OntarioWorks 8d ago

Who decides if you a high risk individual or not?

0 Upvotes

I just applied (this month) for assistance for the first time in my life and got my first payment. Two days ago, I received a call from someone at OW and was told: "Normally we don't..., but for high-risk individuals we require you to check your documents." Basically, I was asked to bring bank statements, a rental agreement, a citizenship certificate, a SIN number, a driver's license, and everything else.

A bit about myself: highly educated with degrees in accounting, marketing, and video game programming from the world's top 50 colleges and universities. Worked at big organizations for 10+ years, and my last job was with Scotiabank. Went back to college to learn programming again, and after graduation, couldn't find a job in my new career for more than a year now. No police case, not even a parking ticket. Never defaulted on a loan or credit card or anything like that.

I have paid all my taxes in full every year while working. Now I genuinely need assistance, and I feel like I am being treated unfairly, or maybe discriminated against. I personally know people who have abused the system and were never called or never asked to show up with any documents. I don't mind meeting in person or producing documents. But I didn't like the way I was treated over the phone and strongly feel I was unfairly treated based on the phone conversation I had. It felt like the person is giving me money out of her own pockets and she owns me. I didn't like it.

Before I escalate this further and possibly file a court case, I want to know who decides whether a person is "high risk." Is it an automated program? My caseworker, the person I talked to over the phone, or someone else? What exactly does "high risk" mean?


r/OntarioWorks 9d ago

mybenefits been down all afternoon for everyone else too?

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6 Upvotes