Ontario Works (OW) is designed to provide financial assistance while helping individuals and families achieve financial independence. If you are receiving Ontario Works and are earning money from employment or self-employment, this guide outlines how your earnings affect your assistance, reporting requirements, and employment resources available.
Table of Contents
Employment Services: Support to Help You Succeed
1. Personalized Employment Plans
When you apply for Ontario Works, you’ll work with a caseworker to create an individual employment plan tailored to your skills, experience, and circumstances. This plan focuses on activities that will improve your employability and is updated as you complete tasks or start new ones.
2. Job Search and Preparation Support
Ontario Works provides practical help for finding and keeping a job, including:
- Workshops on résumé writing, interview preparation, and job applications.
- Referrals to training programs and job counseling.
- Access to job banks, computers, and internet services.
- Information on employers who are hiring.
3. Educational and Training Programs
Ontario Works offers opportunities to enhance your skills:
- High School Completion: Programs to help finish high school.
- Literacy and Skills Training: Support for improving reading, writing, or math skills.
- Rapid Training Opportunities: Programs such as micro-credentials and Better Jobs Ontario provide in-demand skills quickly.
4. Special Support for Young Parents
The Learning, Earning, and Parenting (LEAP) program helps young parents (ages 16-25) finish high school, develop parenting skills, and prepare for employment.
Reporting Earnings While on Ontario Works
Monthly Reporting
You must report all earnings to ensure accurate calculation of your financial assistance. Use the following methods to report your income:
- Online via MyBenefits.
- By phone through the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system.
- By submitting the Statement of Income form.
Even if you do not earn money in a given month, you must report $0 in earnings to avoid interruptions in your assistance.
Information to Report
You’ll need to provide:
- Gross Pay: Income before deductions like taxes or Employment Insurance.
- Net Pay: Income after deductions.
- Pay stubs and receipts for childcare expenses (if applicable).
Missed Reports
If you fail to report income by the deadline, your payments may be delayed or stopped until the required information is submitted.
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How Employment Affects Financial Assistance
Earnings Exemption
- After receiving Ontario Works for three months, you can earn up to $200 per month without affecting your assistance.
- For earnings beyond $200, 50% is exempt, meaning only half of your income above this threshold is deducted from your monthly Ontario Works payment.
Example: If you earn $500 in a month:
- $200 is fully exempt.
- 50% of the remaining $300 is deducted from your assistance.
- Deduction = $150, leaving you with more overall income.
Special Rules for Students
If you are in high school or postsecondary education:
- Earnings are fully exempt, meaning they do not affect your financial assistance.
- Summer earnings are also exempt if you plan to return to school in the fall.
Self-Employment and Business Income
If you earn money through self-employment, the rules are similar:
- Report gross income and deduct eligible business expenses to calculate net profit.
- The first $200 of profit is exempt, with 50% of any additional profit above $200 deducted from your assistance.
Eligible Business Expenses
You can deduct costs like:
- Supplies, tools, and equipment.
- Advertising and bookkeeping fees.
- Childcare costs (up to $600 per child for informal care, or full costs for licensed care).
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Leaving Ontario Works
As your earnings increase and you gain financial independence, your need for Ontario Works may decrease. If your employment leads to financial independence, you may qualify for transitional benefits, such as extended health coverage.
Ontario Works offers a range of supports to help recipients earn income while transitioning to self-sufficiency. By utilizing the available resources and understanding reporting requirements, you can make the most of the program while building a stable financial future. For more details, contact your Ontario Works office or visit Ontario Works Employment Services.
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