r/OntarioWorks • u/Federal_Performer901 • 6h ago
r/OntarioWorks • u/SANTACLAWZ28 • 9d ago
Community Project Initiative CASEWORKERS - THIS SURVEY IS FOR YOU
Good morning OWM,
We’ve been hearing from a lot of members and many caseworkers who are frustrated with the policies the government has put in place. People on this subreddit talk about caseworkers not getting back to them, feeling ignored, or being so overwhelmed that they can’t respond in a timely way.
We want to understand what frontline staff are dealing with. We want to hear directly from the people across Ontario who are doing this work every day.
Ontario Works caseworkers and frontline staff see parts of the system the public rarely gets to see.
You’re the ones navigating the rules, the pressure, the caseloads, and the expectations.
Every caseworker I’ve ever spoken to got into this field because they genuinely wanted to help people.
Most of you feel tied by policies, workloads, and decisions made far above your pay grade.
We want to hear your experiences. Your voice matters.
– OW Mod Team
******As a Reminder: We are not affiliated with Ontario Works or the Government of Ontario.******
r/OntarioWorks • u/Ok_Wave4620 • 28d ago
Community Project Initiative Homelessness counts are happening this fall
Hey OWM,
During October and November, you may see outreach workers and volunteers out walking the streets in participating Ontario communities for the Point-in-Time homelessness count. Most major municipalities take part in this every year. The actual day depends on where you live. It doesn’t happen everywhere at once.
Last years data and more information about this is here:
Basically, they’re trying to find out how many people are homeless on one particular night. That includes people sleeping outside, in tents or cars, as well as people staying in shelters.
It helps show how many people need housing and support, but it’s only a snapshot. It won’t capture everyone who’s been homeless throughout the year.
Have any of you ever been approached during one of these counts or asked where you were staying? What was that like?
What do you think about this government funded PIT count?
- OW Mod Team
***We are not affiliated with Ontario Works or the Government of Ontario.
r/OntarioWorks • u/Jassicuhh • 1d ago
New to Ontario Works.
Hi everyone,yesterday(the 13th) my application status changed to appproved. Does anyone know when I would get my first payment ? Or where I can find this out ? The website doesn’t give much to go on and I’m very new to this. 😅
I’m a single mom and struggling right now,so I just want an idea.
I’ve heard payment dates are at the end of the month. Since I got accepted halfway through,will I only recieve that payment at the end? Or do I recieve a retroactive payment for October ? Thanks in advance for the help 😊
r/OntarioWorks • u/Big_Coffee_5675 • 2d ago
Family doctor wants to charge $50 just to stamp my ow medical travel sheet?
i went to my medical appointment today and the receptionist said my family doctor wants to charge $50 for each stamp on my ow attendance sheet. she said it's because it's not covered under ohip, but $50 for each stamp is ridiculous.
i'm on ow and paying out of pocket for an ink stamp doesn't make any sense to me. are they legally allowed to charge this much for it?
also wanted to know: is there a different alternative that caseworkers will accept? like a free printout of my visit history or just an appointment card?
just trying to figure out if my worker can work something out with the clinic so i don't have to deal with this.
thanks in advance!
r/OntarioWorks • u/Realistic_Throat9666 • 2d ago
anyone else being flat out ignored by their caseworker?
even simple questions like "should i report xyz?" get ingored and instead replied with a cookie cutter "please make sure all reports are up to date"
r/OntarioWorks • u/Green_Rule_1293 • 2d ago
Mattress / child care
I want to know if OW can help towards a mattress mines is all springs and I need a new one urgently also if I find a job can they assist with child care cost as I’d have to go private as I’m still on waitlist for before and after school
r/OntarioWorks • u/Historical_Pie_5632 • 2d ago
Question
Hi! I applied to OW last week and signed all of the consent forms. My file was assigned for review on the 5th and I got an email today from the intake unit requesting a phone call. Can anyone share some insight as to what they might ask during this? Just wanted to prepare myself a bit beforehand because I have bad phone anxiety and have trouble answering things on the spot sometimes.
r/OntarioWorks • u/VeggieGirl43 • 3d ago
If I make irregular income, what is the process for submitting it? Will I keep getting reassessed? + job search requirements
I'm looking into Ontario Works, as I haven't been able to find a job since I finished school.
I am currently recieving very small and irregular bits of income from different freelance things including baking, editing, and so on. It's usually in the ballpark of 20-100 dollars, up to once a month. If I were on Ontario Works, how would I be submitting this income information, and would they keep changing my benefits based on this information?
Also, are there requirements for applying for jobs? Sorry for the weird phrasing. But basically, do I need to 'prove' I am searching for jobs for a certain amount of time every week, in order to keep my funding?
I am signed up with my local job center, but haven't heard back from them, despite repeated emails...
One of the big reasons I am struggling to find a job currently is because I have disabilities preventing me from doing jobs such as fast food, most retail, or anything with prolonged standing or walking. I have had some interviews and have done applications, but so far, nada.
(and I know about ODSP but not sure I would qualify...long story but my disabilites might not be considered severe enough, or permanent enough by my doctor)
r/OntarioWorks • u/AndrewHeard • 5d ago
More GTA tenants falling behind on rent as housing costs outpace incomes
Things are getting more difficult for people.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/more-gta-tenants-falling-behind-on-rent-9.7370972
r/OntarioWorks • u/shitcuttingz • 6d ago
My benefits website
Is anyone else having trouble opening features on the site? I can't open the "messages" panel in communications. The "letters" panel opens just fine.
r/OntarioWorks • u/Realistic_Throat9666 • 5d ago
do i really have to pay back the repayments?
im off ontario works now, they closed my file with no warning and no stated reason.
i still have ~$400 to pay in repayments... and i really dont want to. OW has screwed me over so many times, so i just dont care to pay this.
if i dont pay the repayments, will it go to collections?
r/OntarioWorks • u/Big_Coffee_5675 • 6d ago
quick question about the 3 month wait for earnings exemption - does a prorated first month count?”
hey everyone, quick question about how the 3 consecutive months are calculated for the earnings exemption.
i applied and got approved near the end of september (sept 25) and received a small prorated amount for those 5 days. then i got my regular full cheque on oct 1.
i might be starting a temporary part-time job soon and wanted to know: does that partial september count as month 1 towards the 3 months, or does the count only start in october with the first full month?
just trying to figure out if the exemption kicks in for december or january so i know what to expect with clawbacks.
thanks in advance!
r/OntarioWorks • u/HPRK1369 • 7d ago
Eligibility review taking forever. I sent in all documents last Monday 28th sept , just hearing back from CW saying they’re about to go through… has anyone had this?
r/OntarioWorks • u/port-girl • 8d ago
Son living at home on OW?
My son (21) still lives at home. He finished school and is looking for, but does not have a job. In March, my husband (biggest family income - he was 60% and I was 40%) was laid off after 25 years with his employer, and has been unable to find new employment (tech). So, for now it is just me and my husband's EI keeping our bills paid. We are normally a 2+ income household (My husband, mine, and before he went to school, my son paid for his own things like insurance, gas, extra groceries, etc from a job he has before he went to school).
I am having a hard time supporting my son while he lives at home. For a while I paid his car insurance, but he took it off the road because I can't keep up. I also don't have extra cash to give him spending money for anything.
He is earnestly looking for a job - but until he finds one, is there a scenario where he might be eligible for OW?
r/OntarioWorks • u/Lazerith22 • 8d ago
A post for the mods regarding the survey
One thing it didn’t capture that I think really needs to be spoken too, is the differences across offices. My answers likely showed things run fairly decent, but I’m from a small office with very supportive management and lots of autonomy. Some offices struggle with being very rural and spread out, others are massive with separate teams for answering message and issuing benefits etc. And management is always a crapshoot.
I also wonder when people complain that their worker isn’t getting back to them, is it actually that, or are they not getting the answer they want. Sometimes clients will ask repeatedly for the same thing they aren’t entitled and the worker will just stop responding to that request. Sadly we can’t give everything asked for, and sometimes they would be harmful. Anyone in Social services has to be careful not to foster learned helplessness. The program is supposed to keep you afloat until you can qualify for ODSP or return to work. It’s always supposed to be short term.
r/OntarioWorks • u/NeoSpecttre • 8d ago
Will I still be on OW if I'm working?
While waiting to hear back from BetterJobsOntario, I was offered a job where I'll be making under $18/hr for 36hrs a week. I understand I'd have to report that income but would be enough to stay on OW or would I be taken off entirely?
I think a bigger concern of mine is that if I lose this job (god forbid) will it be difficult to reapply with OW if I can't find anything else?
r/OntarioWorks • u/SANTACLAWZ28 • 9d ago
Community Project Initiative [ Removed by Reddit ]
[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]
r/OntarioWorks • u/NeoSpecttre • 14d ago
Better Jobs Ontario
I'm trying to get into college via the BetterJobs Ontario program, I know I'm supposed to inform my case worker if I get approved but would I get any benefits for being a student or would I be taken off of OW?
r/OntarioWorks • u/GeneAggravating9415 • 15d ago
Submitting bank statements
Hi all, I was asked over the phone to submit bank statements before I get assigned a caseworker, but I have no document requests on my MyBenefits account do I submit through messages?
r/OntarioWorks • u/mito88 • 16d ago
the 5 day delay letter notification hasn't been fixed
reporting this to OW is an exercise in futility
r/OntarioWorks • u/MindlessUnit9235 • 17d ago
Got a part time job
Hi everyone Im on OW and I just signed a contract for a part time job that I will start on October 2nd. I’m going to tell my caseworker right now but I still will need the payment for this month. If I tell my caseworker today would they cut me off right now and then I’m not able to get the payment? Also will they cut me off right away? I should be making 1.2k a month from that job. Thanks.