Financial Assistance

If you don’t have enough money for food and housing and are in financial need, you can apply for financial and employment assistance through Ontario Works.

Ontario Works - Apply Online

If you have an email and telephone number you can apply online using the new Social Assistance Digital Application (SADA). Service available 24 hours, 7 days a week, in English or French.

Register for MyBenefits

Access your OW or ODSP information online, anytime, anywhere! Includes information about your case, income reporting, and address changes

man sitting on couch with moving boxes behind him with his face in his hands looking upset

Short Term Emergency Assistance

Learn how to get short term financial support if you are in a crisis or an emergency situation and don’t have enough money for things like food and housing.

Apply by Phone

To apply for assistance you can call the provincial centralized intake at 1.888.999.1142 Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, excluding holidays

Watch this video to learn more about getting started with Ontario Works! As the Service Manager for Ontario Works throughout the District of Parry Sound, the DSSAB can help you:

• access the financial benefits available through the Ontario Works program
• find a job or the training needed to find work
• connect to health, housing, childcare and other social services
• by referring you to education, training and employment supports

The focus of the Ontario Works program is to provide financial, employment and life stabilization support to those in need. Our team provides personalized service and can help you navigate the broader system of supports and services available within the community.

To apply for Ontario works, please visit https://ontario.ca/socialassistance – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The online application will take approximately 40 minutes to complete.

If you have questions and would like to speak to someone over the phone, please call our office:

Parry Sound – Local (705) 746-7777 or (Toll Free) 1-800-461-4464
South River – Local (705) 386-2358 or (Toll Free) 1-800-661-3230

What is Ontario Works?

The Ontario Works Act, 1997 provides the framework for social assistance in Ontario. The Ontario Works program provides financial and employment support to assist individuals with their basic needs and accommodation while focusing on obtaining paid employment. Financial Assistance is provided to eligible persons who demonstrate need and satisfy the requirements to pursue and retain employment. We operate on the principles of respect and dignity for all, enhancing self-esteem, fostering independence, self reliance and community contribution.

How do I Apply?

Intake can be done in person or over the phone, Monday – Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

You can also apply online at https://ontario.ca/socialassistance – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The online application will take approximately 40 minutes to complete.

South River Office
16 Toronto Avenue
Box 1600
South River, Ontario
P0A 1X0
705-386-2358 or 1-800-661-3230

Parry Sound Office
1 Beechwood Drive
Parry Sound, Ontario
P2A 1J2
705-746-8886 or 1-800-461-4464

What Will I Need?

The application can take up to 40 minutes to complete and it is important to have all of the following information available at the time of the application. This information is needed for each immediate family member.

Date(s) of Birth
Social Insurance Number(s)
Health Card Number(s)
Immigration Information (if applicable)
Accommodation information including rent/mortgage amounts, heat and hydro expenses, property taxes etc.
Address history for the last 12 months
All asset information (ie. bank account details, investments, life insurance and vehicle details).
All Income details for each family member, including current income and earnings, if applicable (ie. National Child Benefit Supplement, EIB, WSIB, Support, and Earnings).

Please have all of the information available to ensure the best possible service.

Interactive Voice Respose System (IVR)

Participants of the Ontario Works program may access information about their case such as details of the most recent cheque, overpayment balance, status of the case or other general information and important announcements about Ontario Works by calling the Interactive Voice Response System. Each participant has a unique number to enable the activation of information.This telephone number is toll free and is accessible any time of the day or night: 1-800-808-2268

Participants are strongly encouraged to use the IVR system

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

ODSP provides income support, including health and other benefits, for people with disabilities in financial need. The program also provides employment supports to help people with disabilities prepare for, obtain or maintain a job. The intent of the program is to provide the supports necessary to enable individuals and families to live as independently as possible in the community. A person may be eligible for financial
assistance from Ontario Works pending determination of eligibility under ODSP. Ontario Works assists people to make an ODSP application.Spouses of ODSP recipients, who do not have caregiver responsibilities and do not have a disability, are required to look for work with the help of Ontario Works. Ontario Works employment assistance services will help spouses and dependent adults of ODSP recipients find a job that can put these families on the path to financial independence.For more information please visit the MCSS Website by clicking here

Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP)

Our Homelessness Prevention Program assists community members with housing issues. We also provide tenant and landlord education, tenant and landlord mediation, and public education on homelessness and affordable housing issues.This program works to:

To improve access to and connect households that are homeless with community services
To support households experiencing homelessness to obtain and keep longer-term housing
And to assist households at risk of homelessness

Homelessness Prevention Program Funding (HPP)

Are you experiencing rental arrears or utility arrears, or struggling to afford connection fees due to COVID-19? Are you currently suffering a housing crisis? Our Homelessness Prevention team works to prevent, reduce and address social problems that create or prolong homelessness. If you’re experiencing any of these difficulties, you may quality for Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) funding or even a Short Term Housing Allowance. In the District of Parry Sound, HPP funding is administered under a service agreement between the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the District of Parry Sound Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB), as the Service Manager. This funding aims to prevent and end homelessness by improving access to adequate, suitable, and affordable housing and homelessness services for people experiencing homelessness and for people at-risk of homelessness. Still have questions? Please reach out and chat with us. If you are a low income earner, a senior, or are receiving support through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) please call (705) 746-7777 Ext. 5209 or email us at hpp@psdssab.org.
If you are in receipt of Ontario Works, please reach out to your case worker for more information.

The vision of HPP is:A coordinated and holistic service delivery system that is people-centered, evidence informed and outcomes-based, and reflects a Housing First approach that focuses on homelessness prevention and reduces reliance on emergency services.The two key program outcomes of HPP are:

People experiencing homelessness obtain and retain housing
People at risk of homelessness remain housed

For more information on Homelessness Prevention Program Funding, please visit Addressing homelessness | Ontario.ca

Click this link to be directed to the Ontario Works page of the Provincial Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services Website.

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