Community supports, healthcare & recreation

Home Support Services provide help with light housekeeping to eligible low-income residents who have a medical need and who have little or no supports in the community. Light housekeeping may include:  floors, bathrooms, laundry, kitchen and light dusting.

Who can get Home Support Services?

• Your income must be below the “low income cut-off” or you are in receipt of social assistance
• You have a documented medical reason that prevents you from doing homemaking tasks on your own
• You have little or no support to help you with housekeeping tasks. For example, you live alone and have no family close by

Apply for Home Support Services

Call 3-1-1 between 8:45 am and 4 pm

• Select 1 for service in English or 2 for service in French
• Select 4 for Social Services
• TTY Line 1-800-855-0511

Eligibility will be assessed during a telephone interview followed with a home visit by a case worker.  

For more information, e-mail CommunitySupports@ottawa.ca.

Need help clearing your driveway and/or walkway during the winter?

The Snow Go Program can help you! This program is divided into two parts to match your individual needs to the appropriate service.  The two programs are as follows: 

• The Snow Go Program provides a matching service for seniors and people with disabilities looking to hire an individual or contractor to clear snow from private driveways and walkways.  Residents who participate in this program are responsible for paying the individual or contractor removing the snow.
   
• The Snow Go Assist Program provides financial assistance to eligible low-income seniors or persons with disabilities looking to hire an individual or contractor to clear snow from private driveways and walkways.  Approved participants may be reimbursed for 50 % of the cost of snow clearing per event, up to a seasonal maximum of $250.  Rural applicants who have excessively high cost of snow removal, as defined by staff, are eligible up to 50% of the cost of snow clearing for their private driveways and walkways per event, up to a maximum of $450 per Term.

Snow Go Assist Program

The Snow Go Assist Program is a program that provides financial assistance to eligible low-income seniors and people with disabilities to pay for a portion of their snow removal costs.

Funding levels

Approved participants may be reimbursed up to 50 per cent of the cost of snow clearing per event, up to a seasonal maximum of $250. Rural applicants who have excessively high cost of snow removal, as defined by staff, are eligible up to 50% of the cost of snow and ice clearing for their private driveways and walkways per event, up to a maximum of $450 per term. . The program is on a first come first served basis.  Agencies have the ability to limit funds allocated to participants if demand is high.   

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible to receive Snow Go Assist Program funding, participants must provide proof that they meet all of the program objectives: Applicants must meet both of the following criteria:

1. Either senior or a person with a disability.  A senior  is considered any person over the age of 60 years.  For persons with a disability, participants must be physically unable to clear snow from their private driveway and/or walkway due to their own disability
    
2. Must demonstrate they qualify as low income.  Low income is defined as an annual income of below $31,500 for a single individual and below $39,200 for a household (two or more persons).
   
   Participants must provide proof of active enrolment in one or more of the following programs to prove that they meet the program objectives:

1. GIS (Guaranteed Income Supplement)
2. ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program)  
3. Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit  
4. Ontario Works plus proof of disability and/or senior (60 year or older)  
5. Essential Health and Social Supports plus proof of disability and/or senior (60 year or older)  
6. Home Help plus proof of disability and/or senior (60 year or older)  
7. Low income senior or person with a disability (proof may be required)  
8. Special Circumstances may be considered. Detailed proof must be provided.

For more information, please discuss with your local community support agency.

All applicants must sign a disclaimer that states that there is no person(s) physically able to perform snow removal work sharing the residence with the applicant.

Application process

To apply for Snow Go Assist funding, contact your local community support agency listed above.

If you are already a participant in a community or social service agency program, if you are an individual or family with a low-income or a family member with a disability, you may qualify for the Ottawa Hand in Hand recreation and culture fee support program.

Only residents of the City of Ottawa may apply for the Ottawa Hand in Hand subsidy, on their own behalf or for a dependent wishing to participate in programs or activities offered by the Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services Department (RCFS). For additional information on Ottawa Hand in Hand, the City of Ottawa’s fee assistance program, residents are invited to visit their local recreation or culture facility or any City Client Service Centre.

Please note: applicants will be asked to provide proof of identity, residency and of financial need and should be prepared to provide copies of formal documentation.

Applicants must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

• Evidence of being in receipt of Ontario Works
• Evidence of being in receipt of a Child Care Subsidy
• Evidence of being in receipt of Essential Health and Social Supports
• Evidence of being in receipt of Ontario Disability Support Pension (ODSP)
• Evidence of being in receipt of Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD/MCSS)
• Evidence of being in receipt of a Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
• Means test using the Low Income Cut-Off
  • T451E Notice of Assessment or,
  • Child Tax Benefit Form
• Special circumstances may also be considered (details to be provided in the application form).
• Residents of all ages are eligible.
• Residents are encouraged to apply as early as possible before the program registration period.
• Each qualifying individual, or member of a family, is eligible for an annual amount of fee support ($200 per person).
• Applicants are encouraged to pay a minimum of 25 per cent of the program cost.
• A parent or guardian can transfer all, or a portion of their Ottawa Hand in Hand fee support entitlement to a child or children in their household.

How to apply

1. Complete the online application form, or pick one up at most staffed recreation facilities or at a Client Service Centre.
2. Bring the completed application form to your local recreation or cultural facility.

A supervisor will review the application for approval. Applications can only be approved at a recreation or cultural facility.

What is Homebound Services?

A free service offering monthly delivery of Ottawa Public Library (OPL) materials directly to your door.

Who is eligible?

Ottawa residents who are unable to visit the Library regularly due to age, illness or disability. A minimum commitment of three months is required to sign up for the service.

Where does the Library deliver?

Individual homes, retirement residences, and long-term care facilities within the City of Ottawa.

What can be borrowed?

• Books
• Large print books
• Audiobooks
• Music CDs
• DVDs
• Magazines
• eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more
• DAISY audiobooks for customers with print disabilities

Customers can request their own material, or staff can select materials based on each customer’s interests.

For more information or to register, please contact Homebound Services at 613-580-2944, or email Homebound@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca

For more information on the Ottawa Public Library's Accessible Services, please visit biblioottawalibrary.ca

Find out how to stay healthy, where to get help and how to make informed decisions about your health. Ottawa Public Health is your link to Ottawa’s health and support services.

Emergency resources

Finding a family doctor

Area hospitals

Most healthcare needs are covered by the province’s medical coverage, once you are a resident of Ontario. If required, private healthcare plans are available to cover specialized treatments that do not fall under the province’s scope of coverage. Ottawa has 4 main hospitals:

Drop in medical clinics

Community health and resources centres

Provincial resources

Local resources

Financial resources