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Ontario Works Payment Dates (2023): When it is Deposited

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Quick Answer

  • Ontario Works payments are issued monthly, on the last business day of the previous month.
  • The amount you receive from the Ontario Works benefit depends on your family size, income, shelter costs, and assets. 
  • For the amount payable for basic needs, individuals can receive up to $781 and couples can receive up to $826 monthly. The maximum shelter amount a family of 3 can receive is $697 a month.

Ontario Works is one of the main pillars of social assistance and welfare payments in the province of Ontario.

If you need financial support to pay for basic needs, this benefit can help and is disbursed through the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services.

Depending on your circumstances, social assistance is also available through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

This article covers Ontario Works payment dates in 2023, how to apply, and how much you can expect in OW benefits.

Ontario Works Payment Dates 2023

Ontario Works payments are issued monthly and are paid on the last business day of the previous month. For 2023, the payment dates are:

Benefit MonthPayment Date
JanuaryDecember 30, 2022
FebruaryJanuary 31, 2023
MarchFebruary 28, 2023
AprilMarch 31, 2023
MayApril 28, 2023
JuneMay 31, 2023
JulyJune 30, 2023
AugustJuly 31, 2023
SeptemberAugust 31, 2023
OctoberSeptember 29, 2023
NovemberOctober 31, 2023
DecemberNovember 30, 2023

You can receive your payment through direct deposit (the faster option), cheque, or on a reloadable payment card.

These payment dates are the same for ODSP and Ontario Trillium benefits.

Ontario Works Benefits

Ontario Works provides eligible Ontarians with financial difficulties with money to pay for food, housing, and clothing.

The program also assists them in finding a job.

Ontario Works Financial Assistance

If you meet the eligibility requirements (discussed below), you receive temporary monthly income support to pay your bills. How much you get is dependent on your family size, income, and the costs of basic necessities.

In addition to this monthly financial assistance, Ontario Works recipients may also qualify for health benefits and coverage for:

  • Prescription drugs
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Eye exams and vision care
  • Diabetic supplies
  • Medical travel and transportation services
  • Assistive devices
  • Extended health benefits
  • Guide dogs
  • Special diets

Ontario Works Employment Assistance

The program assists you with finding a job by giving you access to job-specific training, counselling, employment workshops, job placements, and more.

To receive financial assistance, you must agree to participate in “employment assistance activities” that will help you find a job.

After finding a job, you may be eligible to receive money to cover childcare, training, and employment-related costs.

After leaving Ontario Works, you may still qualify for extended health and prescription drug coverage, and employment-related expenses.

Related: Ontario Child Benefits.

Who is Eligible for Ontario Works?

To qualify for Ontario Works, you must:

  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Live in Ontario
  • Be in financial need and lack the resources to pay for basic needs
  • Be willing to look for a job unless medical or special reasons prevent you from doing so.

How To Apply For Ontario Works

You can apply for Ontario Works benefits online.

To complete the 20-30 minutes application, you will need to provide your social insurance numbers (SIN), banking information, and details from your Ontario health insurance plan, tax returns, pay stubs, birth certificates, and immigration papers (if applicable).

After submitting your application, a caseworker will contact you to review your information and request additional documentation if needed.

You can also apply by calling 416-338-8888 or 1-888-465-4478 (toll-free), or 416-392-2823 (TTY) from 8:30 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.

If your application is denied, you can request an internal review within 30 days of receiving the decision. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you can appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal.

Ontario Works Benefit Amounts

The Ontario Works benefit amount you receive depends on your family size, income, assets, and shelter costs.

The amount payable for basic needs is as follows:

Number of Children or Dependent AdultsSingle PersonCouple
0 children$343$494
1 child aged 17 or under$360$494
1 dependent adult aged 18 or older$623$652
2 children aged 17 or under$360$494
1 child 17 years or under, and 1 dependent adult 18 or older$623$652
2 dependent adults aged 18 or older$781$826

For each additional child or dependent adult, the monthly basic needs amount is increased by $175.

A shelter benefit can cover your rent, mortgage payments, taxes, insurance premiums, utilities, and other eligible housing costs.

The maximum monthly shelter amounts are:

Family SizeMaximum Monthly Shelter Allowance
1$390
2$642
3$697
4$756
5$815
6+$844

Depending on your living situation, you may qualify for a board and lodging allowance (instead of basic needs and shelter). The rates for board and lodging are:

ontario works board and lodging
Source: mcss.gov.on.ca.

A special boarder allowance of $71 is paid in addition to the amounts above.

You are required to report your income earnings every month while receiving financial assistance.

The first $200 in earnings per month is exempt. For every additional $1 earned, $0.50 is clawed back from your payment.

ODSP Payment Dates FAQs

What day does Ontario Works get deposited?

Ontario Works welfare payments are paid by direct deposit on the last business day of the month. Cheques sent by mail may arrive on different dates depending on Canada Post. Your cheque is dated on the same day that direct deposit payments occur.

How much money do you get on welfare in Ontario?

The maximum Ontario Works benefit paid to cover basic needs and shelter for one person in 2023 is $733 per month.

Is Ontario Works going up in 2023?

There is no information about increasing Ontario Works benefits in 2023. The last increase on the Ontario Works rate chart for basic needs and shelter benefits was in 2018.

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Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)

Enoch Omololu, personal finance expert, author, and founder of Savvy New Canadians, has written about money matters for over 10 years. Enoch has an MSc (Econ) degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School and has completed the Canadian Securities Course. His expertise has been highlighted in major publications like Forbes, Globe and Mail, Business Insider, CBC News, Toronto Star, Financial Post, CTV News, TD Direct Investing, Canadian Securities Exchange, and many others. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances. You can read his full author bio.

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5 thoughts on “Ontario Works Payment Dates (2023): When it is Deposited”

  1. Gravatar for Nisreen

    Hi
    I am single mom of five children under the age of 17 and I do not have a job. I applied to Ontario Works and my application was accepted, but unfortunately the amount I received from them for myself and my children is only $1,200 per month, knowing that this amount is not even enough to pay the house bills except for food. I do not know the reason for reducing the amount provided to me, knowing I had big family . I don’t know what can I do.Thanks

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @Nisreen: I think it would be best to contact Ontario Works so they can take a look at your file. You can try reaching them by calling 416-338-8888 or 1-888-465-4478 (toll-free) or 416-392-2823 (TTY).

    • Gravatar for Me

      Don’t waste your time. I called every branch of government. It is what it is. OW is a joke. They lack proper training. They lack common sense. Don’t waste your energy. OW is a hindrance. Save yourself the stress and try to figure something else out. The Canadian Government doesn’t care about us

  2. Gravatar for Jane

    Does the amount you* receive from Ontario Works differ depending on what City you live in, in Ontario? Example: Toronto vs Elliott Lake. Thanks

  3. Gravatar for Tatianna

    I’m a single mother of three (all under the age of 12) I receive $850.00 a month. This is to cover food and rent. Rent is 500.00 a month for me but in this area rent for a one bedroom basement starts at $1400.00 a month. I have been waiting to be put on ODSP for over a year now. Patiently waiting. I have questioned my worker many times how am I supposed to feed and cloth my kids and I have been told many times I’m getting max payments and I should be lucky that at least I have a house to live in. Now I know why their are so many people are turning to the streets, cause we don’t have a choice anymore. If ur looking for assistance to help feed and cloth ur family this isn’t the way to go. The Ontario government only cares about putting money in their own pockets not the ones in need.

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