I heard that, as an Ontario Works recipient, I am entitled to certain benefits other than financial assistance. What are these benefits?
As a recipient of either Ontario Works or Ontario Disability benefits, you may be entitled to more than just financial assistance. There are additional benefits which are mandatory so long as you qualify and there are also benefits which are discretionary (meaning you do not automatically qualify, but you can be considered for these).
This article focuses on mandatory benefits and our next article will focus on discretionary benefits.
Some of the Ontario Works benefits which are mandatory include the following. Note that the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) provides similar (although not always identical) benefits.
a) Special Diet Allowance. If a medical professional verifies that you or anyone else in your benefit unit has certain conditions, you would be entitled to a set monthly amount of money, up to a maximum of $250 for each person in the benefit unit, in order to enhance your diet. Examples of conditions include hypertension, diabetes, and lactose intolerance.
b) Pregnancy/Breast-feeding Nutritional Allowance. If a medical professional confirms you are pregnant or you confirm that you are breastfeeding, you would be entitled to $40 per month (or $50 per month if a medical professional confirms you are lactose intolerant) in order to enhance your diet. Those who are breastfeeding are entitled to this benefit until your child is 12 months of age.
c) Ontario Drug Benefit Coverage.
d) Eye Examinations. Routine eye examinations are covered once in every 24-month period for every person in the benefit unit if they are between the ages of 20 and 64 years. Children under the age of 20, adults over the age of 64, and adults between the ages of 20 and 64 who have medical conditions requiring regular eye examinations (i.e., treatments for infection, disease and injury) receive coverage for these eye examinations once in every 12-month period under OHIP.
e) Glasses/Lenses. Generally, children in the benefit unit can receive a new pair of frames and lenses every three years or more frequently if there is a confirmed change in prescription.
f) Diabetic Supplies. If a medical professional confirms that you or any member of the benefit unit require diabetic supplies (e.g., glucose monitor, test strips, insulin pump) and you are not entitled to coverage under another program, this would be covered.
g) Medical Supplies. If a medical professional confirms that you or any member of the benefit unit require certain medical supplies, such as adhesives/skin barriers, incontinence/ostomy supplies (e.g., diapers), or catheters, this would be covered.
h) Medical Transportation. If a medical professional confirms that it would cost you or any member of the benefit unit more than $15 per month to travel to medical-related appointments, this would be covered. The medical professional is required to confirm the methods of transportation which you are able to use and you would be covered for the cheapest one.
i) Assistive Devices Program. The Assistive Devices Program of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care provides funding to people with long-term physical disabilities to obtain personalized assistive devices appropriate to their basic needs (e.g., hearing aids, walkers, wheelchairs, orthotics). Normally, if you are eligible for the program, you have to pay 25% towards the device and you may have to pay for the assessment to determine eligibility for the device. The Ontario Works or Ontario Disability office can cover these amounts.
j) Full-Time Employment Benefit/The Other Employment and Employment Assistance Activities Benefit. A maximum amount of $500 in a 12-month period can be provided to you or any member of your benefit unit to help with expenses associated with beginning full-time employment. This benefit may be paid in more than one installment if needed. Further, if a member of the benefit needs assistance with beginning or changing employment/an employment assistance activity (e.g., work clothes, tools and equipment, transportation costs, licensing) an additional $253 in a 12-month period can be issued.
This is legal information and not legal advice. If you need further information or need legal advice, please call our Intake Line at 416-441-1764 ext. 1 or complete our online Intake Form.