Ontario Works (OW)

No. Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) are different programs.

Ontario Works (OW)

OW is for people who need short-term financial assistance.
Most people receiving OW are expected to take part in employment activities, such as job search, training, or other approved supports (with exceptions in certain circumstances).

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

ODSP is for people who have a substantial disability that is expected to last a long time and that makes it difficult to work.
ODSP generally provides higher financial assistance than OW and may allow higher savings/assets than OW (depending on the situation).

Important: OW and ODSP are administered through different offices.

If you are in financial need and you have a disability: you can apply for ODSP, and you may be able to receive OW while you wait for the ODSP decision (if you meet OW eligibility rules).

Contact information

Ontario Works (OW) – City of Stratford

Address: 82 Erie Street, Stratford, ON N5A 2M4
Phone: 519-271-3773 ext. 6200 

Toll Free: 1-800-669-2948
Email: socialsrv@stratford.ca

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) – Stratford Office

Address: 1A, 63 Lorne Avenue East, Stratford, ON N4Z 1A1 
Phone: 519-271-1530 
Toll-free: 1-800-565-5762
Email: adminstratfordodsp@ontario.ca 

Ontario Works reviews applications for people under 18 on a case-by-case basis.

If you are under 18 and not living with your parent(s), you may qualify if:

• there are special circumstances (and the Ontario Works Administrator determines, based on the information provided, that you need to live elsewhere), and

• you meet other eligibility rules (including rules about income and assets).

If you receive Ontario Works while under 18, you must take part in approved activities to remain eligible, which may include:

• staying in contact with a responsible adult or community agency

• Counselling

• school or employment-focused programs (for example, LEAP – Learning, Earning and Parenting, if applicable)

Ontario residents experiencing an urgent crisis may be able to access Emergency Assistance, a short-term support intended to help stabilize an immediate emergency situation.

Eligibility and benefit levels are assessed based on individual circumstances and are generally not higher than what would be available through Ontario Works. Emergency Assistance is typically not provided while an Ontario Works application is pending; if support is needed during that period, individuals should contact the office to discuss other programs that may be available.

Applicants generally must be Ontario residents with legal status in Canada, not currently receiving social assistance, not currently ineligible, and facing a crisis with imminent risk, and eligibility may also consider whether they have made reasonable efforts to access other resources and whether they have insufficient funds/assets and limited or no access to credit to address the crisis.

Contact- 519-271-3773 Ext. 200 for more information

Temporary Care Assistance (TCA) is Ontario Works support for an adult who is temporarily caring for a child who is not their dependent.

TCA may be available when all of the following apply: 

•        The child is staying with the adult temporarily

•       The child needs financial support

•        The child is not considered a “dependent child” under OW or ODSP

•        The adult does not have a legal duty to support the child

•        The adult is not being paid to care for the child under the Child, Youth and Family  Services Act (for example, through certain child welfare arrangements) 

For more information on this please call 519-271-3773 Ext. 200

To report changes (income, address, household changes, etc.) or to get information:

• Use the MyBenefits portal (often the fastest option),

 and/or

• Contact your caseworker

Do you disagree with the decision made by the Social Assistance Intake Unit?

If you disagree with a decision made by the Social Assistance Intake Unit (SAIU), you have the right to appeal the decision. For example, if you are determined ineligible and you feel you should have been eligible, you can submit an appeal and have the decision reviewed. Appeals must be submitted online and can be in the form of a letter or by submitting a request for Internal Review form (provided below). The SAIU will either uphold the original decision or overturn it.

Appeals must be submitted to the Social Assistance Intake Unit by submitting a Request for Internal Review or in the form of a letter. 

Do you disagree with the decision made by your caseworker?

If you disagree with a decision made by your caseworker, you have the right to appeal the decision. You must complete a Request for Internal Review form. If you are unable to complete the form, you can also submit your appeal in writing (mailing address provided below). When you submit your appeal, please include a detailed response as to why you disagree with the decision. Once submitted, the request will be reviewed by a member of the management team, and you will be notified of the final decision. Should you wish to appeal the decision made during the internal review, you will have an opportunity to appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal.

In order to appeal the decision, you must submit:

a Request for Internal Review form.  

Or by mailing/ dropping off a written appeal to:

Mail:   82 Erie St

Stratford, ON

N5A 2M4

Email: socialsrv@stratford.ca

Discretionary Benefits are available to assist with medically necessary items that are not covered by regular benefits through OW or ODSP.

Who is eligible:

·       Person in receipt of assistance under the Ontario Works Act, including children on whose behalf Temporary Care Assistance is being paid; or

·       Persons in receipt of income support under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act.

·       Persons NOT in receipt of social assistance who are deemed financially eligible (funeral costs only)

Examples include: 

• Dental services for adults

• Vision care

• Dentures

• Health- related items

• Household Furnishings

• Participation benefits (to assist with goals set in the Ontario Works Action Plan)

To request funeral benefit support or ask questions, please contact Social Services Intake at 519-271-3773 Ext. 6200.

Funeral benefits are discretionary and assessed case-by-case based on factors such as the deceased person’s income and assets, Perth County residency, and the household composition prior to death (a spouse’s income and assets may also be considered).

If the deceased was receiving Ontario Works (OW) or ODSP, eligibility may already be established, and OW may help with funeral arrangements when there are no other available funds (e.g., life insurance or other resources) or assets exceeding the allowable level.

If the deceased was not receiving social assistance, support for a direct burial or cremation may be available if eligibility criteria are met; in cases of financial hardship, the next-of-kin or funeral home should contact Social Services and eligibility will be assessed using local income limits and an allowable asset level.

Any child on an active OW or ODSP file, under the age of 18, may be eligible for up to $500 per year to help cover the costs of any sports or leisure activity. Activities may include swim passes, swim lessons, summer camps, soccer registration, dance lessons, and music lessons. To access the program, contact the Social Services office at 519-271-3773 ext. 200 or speak to your OW caseworker.

Funding for this program is limited so contact us now!

Ontario Works participants are generally required to participate in employment-related activities as a condition of eligibility.

Below is a list of Employment Ontario service providers. Their role is to offer the right supports at each stage of your employment journey, including one-on-one job search assistance, return-to-work planning, and help for individuals facing barriers to employment (including persons with disabilities).

You will also find a list of supports that can connect you to local training and education opportunities—such as adult learning and academic upgrading—to help you build skills, confidence, and credentials for meaningful, sustainable employment.

Employment Ontario Providers

• Bruce County Employment Services

Perth County Employment Ontario Providers

• Agilec

• College Boreal- Stratford

• Leads Employment Services

• YMCA Three Rivers (Midwestern Ontario) 

Pre- Employment Training

• QUILL Literacy Network, Perth County Programming

• Centre for Education and Learning 

• Conestoga College- Stratford- Academic Upgrading 

• Contact North 

• St. Marys Adult Learning Centre 

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for one or more of the programs below. Click the links to learn more.

Please note: these services are not provided through Ontario Works. For details on eligibility and how to apply, visit each program’s website directly.

·        Ontario Trillium Benefit | ontario.ca

·        Old Age Security - Canada.ca

·        Employment Insurance benefits - Canada.ca

·        OSAP: Ontario Student Assistance Program | ontario.ca

·        Ontario Energy Board | Ontario Electricity Support Program

·        Canada child benefit (CCB) - Canada.ca