Durham Region. Income and Employment Support - Ontario Works, Whitby

Assistance for those that are in financial need

Financial Assistance

• monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income
• monthly drug benefit card
• income tax clinic

Other services include:

Mandatory and Discretionary Benefits

• may include dentures, emergency dental services
• eyeglasses
• special diet allowance
• health care supplies
• medical transportation funds
• prosthetic devices
• funerals and burials
• programs may vary by City or Municipality

Community Participation

• volunteer placements
• job search programs based on individual's skills, experience and circumstances
• employment placement, job matching service
• job skills training - development of skills for specific jobs
• on-the-job training
• supports to self-employment, referrals to self-employment programs
• basic education, basic adult upgrading
• high school upgrading
• English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
• literacy and basic skills

Employment Assistance

• clients 18-65 years must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness, or caring for preschool children

Employment Resource Centre

• walk-in job search centre
• access to computers, Internet, fax, photocopier, telephone
• resource materials
• job banks
• labour market information
• assistance with resumes
• referrals to job counselling and training

Employment Start-Up Benefit

• covers costs related to starting a job or work placement
• families with children -- newborn child allowance, child care start-up costs, basic dental care for children

Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP)

• help young parents finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment

Additional services:

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268

• available Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm and Sat, Sun noon-5 pm
• automated information and payment details, payment history, file status
• information and announcements about Ontario Works
• service not available to TTY users

Welfare Fraud Hotline 1-800-394-7867 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program assistance