Employment and financial assistance

Due to the current situation in Ottawa, concerning COVID-19, individuals are asked to not visit the Employment and Social Services centres. Applications for all services will be completed over the phone or online.

• • Phone: Call 3-1-1, then 4 for Social Services.
  • Online: For Ontario Works only.

Existing clients can call or email their case worker. Ontario Works clients can use the online tool MyBenefits.

Effective Wednesday, March 25, the hours of operation for clients visiting any of the four centres will be Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Staff will continue to provide telephone support from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Social Services Hubs are closed to the general public; activities and workshops cancelled, e.g. no income tax clinics or job-search activities.

Would you like to receive news about our programs and services through your email? If so, sign up for our Employment and Social Services e-newsletter. Each month, you will get an email with information on things like:

• Finding a job
• Workshops
• Job fairs
• Programs and services
• And more

All we need is your name (optional) and an email address. Sign up! If you no longer want to receive the newsletter, you can unsubscribe at any time.

Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)

If you receive money from Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program or are in a lower-income home, you can save $35 to $75 on your electricity bill every month. If you pay an electricity bill directly, you can receive a monthly credit on your bill. The amount of the credit will depend on how many people live in your house and your combined household income.

You can apply for the OESP online. To learn more:

• Visit the Ontario Electricity Support website
• Call 1-855-831-8151

Did you know you might be able to get up to $2000 from the federal government to help pay for your child’s future education? The money you get will not affect your Ontario Works or ODSP payments. And you do not need to add any of your own money. To see if you qualify and to apply for the Canada Learning Bond, visit smartsaver.org.

Do you know someone who is getting money from Ontario Works that should not?

While there are many people who honestly need our help, there are some who take unfair advantage of social assistance programs. We are committed to making sure these programs are provided to those who need it the most.

If you want to report welfare fraud, the City will take you very seriously. We will investigate every case and act, where appropriate.

Who to contact if you suspect fraud?

If the person lives outside the city of Ottawa:

• Make your report online or
• Call 1-800-394-7867 or
• Email, fax or mail your report to the provincial Welfare Fraud Hotline (see bottom of online form for contact information)

If the person lives inside the city of Ottawa:

• Make your report online or
• Call 613-580-2424 ext. 14784

Staff are bound by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. They cannot discuss the results of a fraud investigation with the person who filed the complaint.