What are your options for money if you aren’t yet able to find a job and your Employment Insurance (EI) has run out? You do have an option. 

Ontario Works is an income program that many people rely on for monthly income, either for a short period between when EI ends and they find a job, between jobs if they are not eligible for EI, and longer periods when not able to work for many reasons. https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-works

In Grey and Bruce Counties, Ontario Works is administered by the Community Services Department in Grey County and the Human Services Department in Bruce County. Applications are done online and sent to a central intake office in Ontario. Once someone is approved for Ontario Works, their file is sent to the county-level office where the person lives. 

How to apply for Ontario Works

You can apply for Ontario Works:

• online: Click this link to apply for Ontario Works online. It takes 20 to 30 minutes. Submit 1 application for you and your immediate family members who live with you

or

• over the phone by calling the Social Assistance Support Line Toll-free: 1-888-999-1142 or Toll-free TTY: 1-800-387-5559.

If you cannot go online or use a phone, you can attend either a Grey County or Bruce County office and they will help you with an application.

Ontario Works can offer:

• Money to help you and your eligible family members with living expenses, including food and rent
• Health benefits for you and your eligible family members
• Connection to help finding and keeping a job. 

If you are eligible for Ontario Works, the amount of money you get will depend on your household situation. In most cases, you have to participate in activities that will help you towards getting a job to keep getting financial help.

For a single person with no dependents, they could receive $733 per month for basic needs and shelter. 

Thank you to the Income Security Advocacy Centre for this handy chart showing the rates for Ontario Works.

Ontario Works	Rates as of July 2025
Family Type	Basic Needs Allowance	Maximum Shelter Allowance	Total
Single	$343	$390	$733
Single Parent – 1 child	$360	$642	$1,002
Single Parent – 2 children	$360	$697	$1,057
Couple	$494	$642	$1,136
Couple – 1 child	$494	$697	$1,191
Couple – 2 children	$494	$756	$1,250

Ontario Works will also help with the cost of transportation to medical appointments for those receiving Ontario Works and eligible family members. 

If you do not have an income and have a disability, consider applying for Ontario Works. They can help you with the process to apply for the Ontario Disability Support Program. 

Next week we will talk about the Ontario Disability Support Program.