Financial and social assistance

Ontario Works no longer offers employment activities. These will be provided by Employment Ontario.  

Case Workers will contact clients to:  

• Complete a required questionnaire called the Common Assessment and create an Action Plan.  These will help clients to be job ready. 
• Help access supports and services including: 
  • Childcare 
  • Housing supports 
  • Health services 
  • Education 
• Determine eligibility for Participation Benefits to help with telephone and internet costs, transportation, and school registration fees.  Employment related benefits are no longer available. 
• Refer to Employment Ontario for employment support.  

For any questions about what this change means for you, contact your Ontario Works case worker. 

The Ottawa Food Bank

The Ottawa Food Bank collects and distributes fresh and non-perishable food to community food programs, who then provide it to those in need. The Food Bank also provides supplies such as diapers, toiletries and cleaning supplies.

If you or someone you know is hungry, and in need of a little help:

Find food

2-1-1 food resources

2-1-1 can connect you with food resources such as:

• Food banks and referrals
• Food access for seniors/people with disabilities
• Cooking classes and facilities
• Food delivery for people who are homebound
• Food for special dietary needs
• Free/low-cost meals
• Growing/picking your own food

To get help:

Phone

2-1-1 or 613-761-9076

Champlainhealthline.ca

Champlainhealthline.ca offers a directory of food banks and community food programs for Ottawa. This includes free or low-cost food for people in need on an on-going, seasonal, and emergency basis. Services may include food banks, community gardens, Good Food Boxes, youth nutrition programs, and nutrition education programs. To get help:

Enter your postal code

Need help managing the money you have? Want support on reducing your debt? Interested in finding benefits right for you or your family?

Making the most of your money is a free online course developed by Prosper Canada to help individuals and families living with low incomes. Learn about money management in an accessible way, using plain language. No registration is required.  All activities, videos, and resources are downloadable at any time.  

There are three sections to explore:

• Section 1: See how you can increase the amount of money coming in by maximizing what's around you through benefits and community resources.
• Section 2: Minimize what is going out by reducing expenses to help you find money to save. 
• Section 3: Explore resources to help you track your income and expenses, file your taxes and get help to manage your debt.

Looking for more financial empowerment resources?

Consider these local community agencies providing specialized financial information and support services:

• EBO Financial Education Centre
• Financial Empowerment Program | Family Services Ottawa

Find government benefits and credits that can help you put more money in your pocket:

• Benefits wayfinder
• Disability Benefits Compass

Get help eliminating your debt:

• Credit Counselling Canada
• Credit Counselling Society

The Outreach and Mobile Services Team (OMST) is a team of case workers from Employment and Social Services located at a variety of community agencies helping residents find and access City and community social supports.

Services

Financial and social assistance:

• Ontario Works (OW)
• Emergency Assistance
• Essential Health and Social Supports Program

Referrals to resources:

• Housing services and supports (e.g., Social Housing Registry)
• Employment services (e.g., Employment Ontario)
• Child Care Fee Subsidy program
• Residential Services Program
• Home Support Services Program
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Community and health services including food banks, mental health and addiction services and more.

If receiving Social Assistance:

• Assisting with questions and services
• Connecting you to your case worker

Residents can access services by walk-in.  Services are being offered at the following locations on the corresponding days:

Central

370 Catherine Street, 1st floor (near Bay Street)
613-580-2424 ext. 26402
8 am to 4:30 pm

East

2339 Ogilvie Road, 1st floor (Beacon Hill Shopping Centre)
613-580-2424 ext. 12240
8 am to 4:30 pm

West

100 Constellation Drive, 2nd Floor (near Baseline and Woodroffe)
613-580-2424 ext. 27480
8 am to 4:30 pm

South

2020 Walkley Road (near Conroy Road)
613-580-2424 ext. 15041
8 am to 4:30 pm

Would you like to receive news about our programs and services by email? If so, sign up for our Employment and Social Services e-newsletter to receive information about:

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

All you need is an email address. 

Sign up! 

If you no longer want to receive the newsletter, you can unsubscribe at any time.