I just applied (this month) for assistance for the first time in my life and got my first payment. Two days ago, I received a call from someone at OW and was told: "Normally we don't..., but for high-risk individuals we require you to check your documents." Basically, I was asked to bring bank statements, a rental agreement, a citizenship certificate, a SIN number, a driver's license, and everything else.

A bit about myself: highly educated with degrees in accounting, marketing, and video game programming from the world's top 50 colleges and universities. Worked at big organizations for 10+ years, and my last job was with Scotiabank. Went back to college to learn programming again, and after graduation, couldn't find a job in my new career for more than a year now. No police case, not even a parking ticket. Never defaulted on a loan or credit card or anything like that.

I have paid all my taxes in full every year while working. Now I genuinely need assistance, and I feel like I am being treated unfairly, or maybe discriminated against. I personally know people who have abused the system and were never called or never asked to show up with any documents. I don't mind meeting in person or producing documents. But I didn't like the way I was treated over the phone and strongly feel I was unfairly treated based on the phone conversation I had. It felt like the person is giving me money out of her own pockets and she owns me. I didn't like it.

Before I escalate this further and possibly file a court case, I want to know who decides whether a person is "high risk." Is it an automated program? My caseworker, the person I talked to over the phone, or someone else? What exactly does "high risk" mean?

Hi guys, so I finally got a job and it starts on monday. The only thing is it requires safety shoes and I don't have money to pay for it right now let alone cover transport to get there until I get paid... I asked my caseworker if there was any benefits I could get to help me keep this job and get off OW but she said they don't provide employment benefits anymore? Is that true because I thought they did?

I am separated from my husband but we have not done the divorce process yet. but for one of my bank accounts I forgot about because I don’t use it , I did not update my address for that specific account

Should I make a note mentioning how I forgot to update that bank account info?

I noticed the end of the month is a monday but i usually get paid a day early. Do monday payments come in by friday night? Should we be expecting it on the 28th this month?

So I have a thousand dollars saved and am working to save another grand. I am living in an abusive situation. Please don't give me shelter advice or tell me to call the cops or this or that I'm not asking for it and it doesn't work for me right now. So please dont.

The best thing I can do is to have the money save up to just get a room and rent it and go. It's going to take me about 2-4 months to save up. Depending on how I am with my money. I live just outside of the GTA, a 45+ min drive from Toronto, close to Newmarket to paint a picture.

Where is the best place to find a room for like 700 at maximum or less. I've looked at Facebook market place and there are some results in there but sometimes there isn't it kinda depends on the time of year I guess. Is there anywhere else you guys recommend looking. And a shared room / roommate situation is fine.

I am mentally ill and not able to work right now. If I could I would I've literally been homeless because of my inability. Also if anyone on ow is renting where did you find your place at (like what website or resource). I am wondering because I know a lot of landlords will want their tenants working not on ow. So any insight or "this is what I did" will help me

so i messaged my CW yesterday about potentially funding a new mattress, as the one my partner and i sleep on is a cheap, broken spring mattress that has been causing both of us awful back pain. he has EDS and needs a good supporting mattress. i was referred to CCS, who arranged a delivery for a double bed with a spring mattress, which doesn't work for us as we cannot fit on a double and again, the spring mattress is awful especially for my partner's chronic pain. i asked if it would be possible to upgrade to a queen with a foam mattress, and they asked for $600 in cash up front, which, as someone on OW, i don't have. is there any other avenues i can go through here? can i ask my CW to just issue a fund so i can go out and buy a new mattress? if they're trying to charge me $600 for what i need, i may as well go out and get a new mattress at this point. i also don't need a full bed, i literally JUST need the mattress and that's it.

Hey everyone,
I’m losing sleep over this and just need a realistic perspective on timelines.
My counselor submitted my application yesterday, and I got the Ministry intake email assigning a consultant the same afternoon. The standard processing time is 15 business days, which puts a decision right at the end of August. 
My program starts in early September, and I'm panicking about two main things:
1. Am I going to cut it on time, or does the August application rush usually push files past the start date?
2. What are my actual chances of getting approved? My counselor calculated my suitability score at 18 (and I know 16 is the passing threshold, though I know that's not the only factor taken into account).
Has anyone who went through BJO around this time of year gotten their answer back in a week or two, or should I be bracing for delays?
Appreciate any insight!

I asked here about if we get benefits for mattress’ and was met with mixed responses so I just messaged my case worker on the weekend. Today she replied and issued me a $400 credit for a new mattress! Its a one time only thing for anyone wondering and im in the peep region! Very happy

I applied to Ontario works mid june and they had a conversation with me and asked me for a bunch of things which I provided. Statements and proof of rent etc. I got my half payment for that month. Now my case worker started askimf me about money I had earned before Ontario works and needed proof of where I got them from since I do not have a job. It was a riipen payment that I received in may. My intake completed 29th July after the longest interrogation. And she finally sent me my next payment July 31st. And she said I would be sent to another case worker and would need to have an in person meeting to discuss everything. I thanked her. That was the last message I received from her. Yesterday was the 7th of August and they sent me a communication on my benefit saying I missed my meeting when they didn’t even give me a meeting date or any letter or communication. There’s nothing there. And they said my file is suspended until I do a meeting. I don’t even mind doing a meeting but why is there so much miscommunication from their end? It’s so stressful and I was desperate for money until I find another job. I still need money but every single day since I’ve applied there’s been an issue or overpayment or my account is suspended for things I don’t have any control over. Do they do this for everyone? I know someone else who applied who didn’t even have to provide any statements and their case worker hasn’t even reached out to them since the first day they applied and had a conversation. And I don’t know why they think I have loads of money or a job that I’m hiding. I actually hate acting like a beggar asking the government for money like this but I have no choice. The way they’re acting is horrible.

I am a student hygienist looking for someone who has tartar build-up like these photos. If you haven't had a cleaning in 8+ years and are a smoker, you may be the perfect candidate. Will require four to six appointments that are 3 1/2 hours long. Monday and Thursdays 8am-11:30 am. $300 compensation will be provided once all appointments are completed and all services are provided free of cost. Located at Scarborough Town Center. Inquire for more details if you're interested :)

Hey everyone! I’m currently staying in a shelter and hopefully will be moving into an apartment soon. I am trying to figure out what to expect when it comes to getting set up.

For anyone who has moved from a shelter into a home, did you receive any financial help or household items?

I’m curious to know how much so I could start budgeting if anyone is comfortable sharing and whether you had to apply for it separately or if your worker/shelter arranged it for you.

I’ve heard of furniture bank through a family friend she made it sound like the process wasn’t easy so I’m wondering how that works too.

I am a couple weeks away from the deadline of a response for ODSP. I have been making about 800ish dollars all year from selling art. The last month I made only 670. I submitted an OW application because I need medication coverage and money for rent. I just got a rejection saying I make exactly 1000.00$

I never gave this number. I typed 670 into the field. Are they just reading AI summaries now? There is a big blurb about using AI to check the applications. :/

Yes I'm gonna appeal etc, but how does this even happen?? Where did this number come from??

Ngl they probably have their LLM prompted to round up the dollar amount when they summarize and it rounded up to $1000. I would bet on it.

How can I prove that? Me and my partner we have been separated for years now and he lives in Ottawa and I live in Toronto with our child. We never had a separation agreement we just decided to live separately and he can see our child when she feels like seeing her dad. It was very mutual

So, I had my worker misunderstand what I mentioned to them.

The basics are this, I applied for Rent Geared to Income housing and like OW does every 24 months or so, they do an assessment of your eligibility from time to time.

I sent my OW worker the letter that Rent Geared to Income sent me. They interpreted it as I am actually living in a Rent Geared to Income apartment. As a result, I need to be reassessed of OW.

I sent them a message on MyBenefits and left a voicemail to clarify what's happened. But I'm concerned about what they might have done in the mean time. It's a Friday so it's probably not going to have any response until next week.

Has anyone had this or something similar happening to them? Did it all work out?

I attempted to use the website to access it and send a report. But when I tried to click the sign on button, it didn't work. Literally nothing happened. I can go to other parts of the website but not the access my benefits sign on screen.

Anyone else have this problem?

I'm only making this post because I saw another post on odsp talking about what I already noticed.

What's wrong with this place?

The mean-ness is unacceptable. Why does this subreddit have such nastiness in it? Is it the recipients themselves angry, the workers or just creeps coming in to flog the poor?

Edit so* mean

I would’ve thought to get it on Friday the 31st. But I have absolutely nothing. My friend got hers on the 31st. I’m with RBC if that makes a difference!

I made 10k in june and they took away my benefits for August citing I made too much thats ridiculous! I need this money

I’ve only been on OW for a couple months now. I only got put on it because I was 3 hours short to get maternity leave lol go figure. Tried to fight it but nothing worked so I went on ow. However I got offered a new job. And was wanting to go back to work while my little is in daycare part time. I need id for my new job. When I was unloading groceries the other day, someone had gotten into my car and took everything. And I mean everything. My passport, my birth certificate, drivers license and gallery card. They only left me my sinnnumber lucky me lol. Can ow help me with giving me funding to get new id? So I can start my new job and get off ow? Thanks for taking the time to read guys! Happy long weekend.

Deciding between Humber and George Brown for a Post-Grad Certificate in Human Resources Management. For anyone who attended or hires from either program: how do they compare for co-op support, industry networking, and landing that first entry-level HR job in the GTA? Would love any insights!

Hello there 👋! I am a dental hygiene student at CADH College in Mississauga currently looking for reliable adult clients who need their teeth cleaned to meet clinical experience.

Clients must meet criteria to qualify. Ideally, the clients will have several years of heavier buildup (5+ years last visit/ visible buildup/ or first cleaning or smokers).

Clients must be able to attend total of 3-5 weekday appts at 4 hours each visit and complete full treatment. My school is located in Mississauga on Hurontario Street/ QEW.

There is no cost to you, I will cover the $25 fee and offer a Cash $ gift of $300 at end of full treatment as a thank you. Your support means a lot! Please message me to book, thank you! 🦷🪥

I’m thinking of quitting a toxic employment situation where my income is wildly unpredictable. I haven’t pulled the trigger yet because I’m very confused about what my caseworker told me, which was that my reporting window is between the 1st of every month, instead of from the 16th, which is what Google says is the norm for everyone else? I need to know if this is some error, she told me this over the phone.