I NEED HELP WITH...

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please be sure to have the following information available for each family member living with you: 

 

• Date of Birth;
• Social Insurance Number;
• Health Card Number;
• Immigration Number & Date of Landing;
• Asset Details (i.e. Vehicle, Property, RRSP, etc.);
• Address, Employment & Bank Account Information);
• Present Earnings & Income (e.g. Wages,
• WSIB, CPP, EI, Support). 
   

When you have been provided with an appointment time, it is very important to attend your meeting to complete the application. If you miss your appointment, it will cause a delay in determining your eligibility for benefits.

The following information will be required when you come in for the application for each family member:

 

• 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 and taxes
• Address history for the past twelve months 
• Bank Account Information for the last three months
• Information on earnings and income
• Court orders/agreements for child/spousal support (if applicable)
• Debts
• Assets

 

Please note that the applicant, spouse and any dependent adult in the family unit must attend this application.
 

Eligibility 

To be eligible for Ontario Works, you must:

 

• live in Ontario 
• need money right away to help pay for food and shelter, and 
• be willing to take part in activities that will help you find a job.

How we assess your eligibility

When you apply to Ontario Works, you will need to give us information about your:

 

• family size 
• income 
• assets, and 
• housing costs. 

 

Income may include:

 

• child/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, debentures, 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.

We will also help you come up with a plan to find work and/or improve your skills. These activities are written up in your Participation Agreement (Outcome Plan).

You will have to sign an Application for Financial Assistance and a Participation Agreement 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) and
• 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 

OW Employment Services are provided to individuals who must participate in various activities to continue to qualify for financial assistance.  Employment staff develop Participation Agreements (Outcome Plans) with clients that are aimed at enhancing employability, finding and maintaining employment and increasing earnings with the goal of financial independence. 

 

Some of the activities that clients can engage in are:

 

• Basic Education 
• Job Skills Training
• Learning, Earning & Parenting (LEAP)
• Job Search

 

Staff deliver some in-house workshops (e.g. WHMIS, Smart Serve) but there may also be other training opportunities within the community.  Clients can discuss options with their Employment worker.

 

Funds may be available to clients to help with expenses associated with employment start-up or employment activities (e.g. work wear, licensing fee, transportation, child care).  Clients can contact their Employment worker for Benefit requests forms as well as what other information is required.

 

Employment Resource Centres are located on site in all of the CDSSAB offices. The resource centres are equipped with fax machines, photocopiers, computers with Internet access, newspapers, labour market information, and literature related to job seeking. Information on who is hiring is kept up-to-date on job boards.

 

Employment staff are here to assist with your return to work plan!

 

Community Placement Program 

Community Placement gives persons receiving social assistance the opportunity to:

 

• contribute to their communities;
• learn basic work and life skills;
• gain experience;
• and make contacts for future employment. 

 

The goal of the program is to develop workplace skills, better equipping the participant for a competitive employment experience. Participants of a Community Placement agree to perform a specified number of unpaid hours for the placement agency. Financial support may be available to CP participants to assist with work-related expenses such as transportation, childcare, clothing or training needs.

 

If you are a non-profit, public sector, federal, provincial or municipal organization, you may qualify to participate in the Ontario Works Community Placement Program. For more information, contact the Employment Resource Team at your local CDSSAB office. 

 

Employment Placement Program 

The employment placement program is available to all public, private, and government agencies and allows organizations to interview and select pre-screened individuals that are best suited for employment within their organization. The desired outcome of this project is permanent full-time employment for the individual. 

 

Employment Resource Workers (ERWs) are able to offer job placement services which include: job development and employer outreach; screening and matching of participants to appropriate job and placement opportunities and ongoing human resources. 

 

As an incentive, some organizations may qualify for additional funds to compensate for employee training costs for a period up to six months. A unique training plan is developed for each participant that identifies the training obligation and negotiated incentive. CDSSAB has partnered with local employment agencies to assist with the delivery of this program. 

 

Contact us and speak to an Employment Resource Worker at your local CDSSAB office for more information. 

LEAP

 

Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP), is a targeted strategy for teen parents between the ages of 16 and 25 receiving social assistance to complete their education (Learning), prepare for employment (Earning), and develop parenting skills (Parenting). 

LEAP participants may access financial supports to support their attendance at school and parenting and earning activities. These supports may include: 

 

• transportation costs to get to and from school, childcare, parenting and earning activities;
• approved childcare costs;
• the cost of parenting activities;
• school supplies & clothing. 

For LEAP participants who have achieved their High School diploma and successfully complete a minimum of 35 hours of parenting courses, a cash incentive is available - either a $500.00 bursary to be used for their own post-secondary education or training, or $500.00 to be held in trust for their children's education.

Employment Ontario – Employment Services

 

 

 

Ontario Works also delivers Employment Services for Employment Ontario (MTCU) in Cochrane, Iroquois Falls and Matheson.  As a service provider, staff offer assistance with career planning, job search and job retention to the unemployed or underemployed.  We can also provide assistance to employers with their staffing and training needs.

 

We offer help with:

 

• Career exploration
• Information on local services, Labour Market Information on current/future job prospects
• Resume & cover letter writing, interview techniques
• Applications to Employment Ontario (e.g. Second Career, Canada Ontario Job Grant) programs
• Information on other services provided by community partners and outside agencies
• Job matching and placement (Employers may qualify for training incentives) 

 

Employment Services through Employment Ontario is available to all community residents (some programming is subject to eligibility).
We’re here to assist with your return to work plan!

Links:

 

Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities

YOW Canada Online Training

CDSSAB Employment Facebook Page
 

Employment – Helpful Tips & Contact Info 

Here are some tips to keep in mind when looking for employment: 

Job Searching 

 

• Use all available resources. The CDSSAB Ontario works offices have resource centres that are free to all participants;
• Ensure your resume is up to date and make sure to check it for grammar and spelling. It is usually the first impression an employer has of you, so it’s important that you do it well;
• Look beyond newspapers. Try community bulletin boards, the local college, your place of worship; 
• Go on-line. There are hundreds of job opportunities listed on the Internet;
• Research companies you are interested in, even if they are not hiring. Send them your resume and let them know that you are looking;
• Volunteer your time. If you find you lack the experience needed for the jobs you are looking for, learn new skills by volunteering;
• Update your skills. Refresh your skills with a course at the Ontario Works training centre. 

 

MOST IMPORTANTLY – stay motivated. Looking for a job can take time and commitment. Seek support from your friends and family. 

Community Resource Centres

 

Resource Centres in Timmins, Iroquois Falls, Cochrane, Kapuskasing, Matheson and Moosonee, and have a variety of materials and employment services available to all members of the community including:

 

• Computers to access the Internet or to create a resume and cover letter. Resumes/cover letters can be saved, making it easier to record changes;
• Also available are photocopiers, fax machines and printers;
• Telephone access is offered to make employment contacts;
• Resource material, newspapers and magazines are also on site;
• Information boards also list employment opportunities and other training and workshop options available in the community;
• Assistance by knowledgeable staff to review and provide feedback on resumes and/or cover letters and provide guidance on job searching. 

On site training is also available to those receiving Ontario Works Assistance. Experienced Employment Resource Workers (ERWs) can offer:

 

• WHMIS;
• Smart Serve;
• Safe Food Handling;
• Customer Service Training;
• Life Skills;
• Job Preparation;
• Computers, including self-directed computer program study. 

 

If a workshop is unavailable by our trainers, the ERWs can provide information as to where in the community the sought after program may be. 
Funding is available to help Ontario Works participants with associated costs for program participation such as transportation, childcare, tuition, clothing and grooming.

 

Other Benefits & Supports

These benefits may be available to Ontario Works participants and families.  Please contact your local Ontario Works office for more information on:

 

• Drug Benefit Coverage
• Diabetic/Surgical supplies
• Employment Start-Up
• Hearing Aid batteries
• Dental
• Optical
• Medical transportation
• Indigent funerals
• ODSP referrals
• Other discretionary benefits 

 

Family Support 

 

• Family Support assists Ontario Works participants in getting financial support for themselves and their children through support orders and agreements.
• Family Support staff will assist you in searching for the absent parent, obtaining an agreement (out of court), obtaining court orders for support and increasing your current level of support payments.
• Please contact the Family Support Program at 705-268-7722 ext 231 if you have any questions.

 

Ontario Child Benefit

 

The OCB is a provincial program to help low income families with the costs of raising their children.  Your annual income tax returns will be used to calculate your payment. If you qualify, the OCB is included as part of your Canada Child Tax Benefit and National Child Benefit Supplement payment.

 

For specific information on your payment, call the Canada Revenue Agency toll-free at 1-800-387-1193. Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-665-0354.

 

For general information about the Ontario Child Benefit, call the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services toll-free at 1-866-821-7770. TTY: 1-800-387-5559.

 

Find out more online at www.ontariochildbenefit.ca

 

Transition Child Benefit

 

The Transition Child Benefit is a benefit for families on social assistance that are not receiving the Ontario Child Benefit or are receiving less than the maximum amount of the Ontario Child Benefit.

 

You do not need to apply for the Transition Child Benefit. If you are eligible, your local office will add it to your social assistance payment. To receive the Transition Child Benefit you must be trying or have tried to get the Ontario Child Benefit and the National Child Benefit Supplement. 

 

If you are receiving the Transition Child Benefit while you are waiting for your Ontario Child Benefit to start, it’s important to know:

 

• When you get your first monthly Ontario Child Benefit payment, you may also receive a lump-sum Ontario Child Benefit and National Child Benefit Supplement payment. This is to cover the months that you waited for your Ontario Child Benefit to start.
• Because you received the Transition Child Benefit for the same months you waited for the Ontario Child Benefit, your next social assistance payment will be reduced.

 

Your local office staff will explain this to you in more detail if needed.

 

Welfare Fraud Hotline

If you suspect that somebody in your community is collecting social assistance fraudulently, please call:

 

1-800-394-7867
    
Local concerns may be forwarded to: 

Eligibility Review Officer
500 Algonquin Blvd. E., 
Timmins Ontario 
P4N 1B7
705-268-7722 ext 236

 

• The role of the Eligibility Review Officer is to investigate a person's past or present eligibility for payment under Ontario Works (OW). 

 

IVR (Interactive Voice Response System)

 

Our Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone system can provide you with some automated information that you would normally get from your case manager.

It is available during and outside regular business hours and is easy to use.

 

• 1-800-808-2268
• You will need a nine (9) digit Member ID and four (4) digit PIN
• Find out when a cheque was sent out and the amount
• Find out about other important information about your case

 

DIRECT BANK DEPOSIT (DBD)

 
Cheque not in the mail? Direct Bank Deposit is the Solution. 

When your Ontario Works payments are put directly into your bank account:

 

• Your money will be on time 
• Your money can’t be lost or stolen (we will NOT replace)
• You won’t require ID to get your money

Appeal Process 

Internal Review

 

• An internal review is completed if you do not agree with an OW decision.
• You must request the internal review in writing within thirty days of the decision.
• The Case Presenting Officer is neutral and was not involved in the initial decision.
• The Case Presenting Officer must make a decision within thirty (30) days of the request for an internal review and the decision must be completed in writing.
• If you still do not agree with the decision, you can then appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT) and you can also request Interim Assistance (Financial assistance until a decision is made)
•  If you lose the appeal, the Interim Assistance must be repaid.

Please contact the Case Presenting Officer for further details.

 

Your Rights and Responsibilities

The Ontario Works program strives to balance client needs with individual responsibility.

Your Rights

If you are applying for or are eligible for Ontario Works, you have the right to:

 

• be told about your eligibility in writing, and 
• appeal a decision about your eligibility that you do not agree with. 

 

Your Responsibilities

If you are receiving Ontario Works, you are required to:

 

• meet with us every 3 months to review your Participation Agreement and every 12 months to review your financial information;
• take part in employment assistance activities that will help you find a job; 
• report any income you receive from a job, a training program or other source of income, such as Employment Insurance, pensions, etc.;
• keep your receipts and statements in order to verify your income, assets and expenses. (e.g. keep your pay stubs, bank account statement, child care receipts, etc.) ;
• tell us about any changes in your situation such as getting a job, opening or closing a bank account, having a baby, moving, etc. ;
• provide documents or information that we ask for;  
• obtain any other income that you are entitled to (e.g. child support, Ontario Child Benefit, Employment Insurance, other tax benefits, etc. 
• repay any Transition Child Benefit money you received if you get a retroactive Ontario Child Benefit and/or National Child Benefit Supplement payment that applies to the same month(s) you received the Transition Child Benefit,
• and repay any money you received that you were not entitled to.