Help around the home

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.
  
  Check the snow go map [ PDF - 1 MB ] to find the agency that services your neighbourhood.

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.

Snow Angel Program

Do you know a Snow Angel who deserves recognition?

A Snow Angel is a neighbour or friend who has volunteered to help you, or someone you know who is elderly or has a disability, to clear snow from the driveway, steps or walkway.

If you know a Snow Angel, the City of Ottawa wants to thank them!

Snow Angels will receive a special keychain and a certificate signed by the Mayor.

How to nominate a Snow Angel

Snow Angel nominations are accepted between December 1 and April 30.

To recognize a resident as a Snow Angel:

• Complete a Snow Angel Nomination Form or
• Call 3-1-1

Personal information is collected through the nomination process under the authority of sections 8 and 10 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25. Personal information including contact information will only be used for the administration of the Snow Angel Program, including notifying the nominee of their recognition as a Snow Angel. If you have any questions about the collection and use of personal information, please contact the Snow Angel Program Coordinator at communitypride@ottawa.ca or telephone the Program Manager, Public Outreach and Communications at 613-580-2424 x12059.

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.

Homebound services for qualified borrowers confined to their home or residence for more than three months. OPL customers can request to have OPL employees regularly select Library materials and deliver them to their door every month.