Help
with employment and school
costs
While receiving social assistance you may be eligible for extra help with employment and school costs. To be eligible you must receive Ontario Works and participate in an activity that has been approved by Employment and Social Services. There is also help available if you start to work.
Employment and training costs you may get help with include:
- Transportation: to cover your transportation costs
- Clothing, grooming and equipment: for items such as uniforms, work boots, safety equipment or tools
- Supplies, services and licensing fees: for items related to your employment goals such as driver's licence renewal, medical examinations, a police record check, professional fees, fees for voice-mail services or books/manuals for training
- Child care
- Disability access: to cover the costs related to a disability, such as the need for large print materials or sign language interpreter services.
If you are already working or starting a job, read about help for people who start to work.
Child care
While receiving Ontario Works benefits, you may be eligible for help with child care while you are upgrading your education, learning new skills or attending a job search program (for details visit: Ontario Works activities).
Toronto Children’s Services provides child care subsidies, which are available for children from newborn to 10 years of age. In special circumstances, you may get a subsidy for children 10 - 12 years of age.
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If you know you will be needing child care, you are encouraged to apply for a subsidy as there is a wait list for most age groups across the city. Talk to your caseworker to refer you to Children’s Services. You will need to meet with a Children’s Services staff member to discuss your child care needs. |
Before your interview with a Children’s Services staff member, you should review the child care information package that you can get from your caseworker. You may also want to look into child care programs in your area. Subsidies are also available for Licensed Home Child Care Providers or private care-giving arrangements.
You do not have to be receiving social assistance in order to access a child care subsidy. To contact Children’s Services call 416-392-KIDS (5437).
You can also see a map of their office locations. 
| Advance Child Care Payment |
If you are starting a new job or training program and a child care provider is asking you to pay their fees up front, you may be eligible for extra help if you are receiving Ontario Works. The Advance Child Care Payment can help you pay up to one month’s child care costs.
You can also read about other help for people who start to work. |
| After-School Recreation Care (ARC) |
After-school programs are available for children aged 6 to 12 years. Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation offers these programs to families in specific neighbourhoods across the city.
To find out about program details, call 416-338-2512 or visit the After-School Recreation Care website. If you cannot afford the daily fee, you may qualify for a reduced rate through Children’s Services or Parks, Forestry and Recreation. If you are receiving Ontario Works, you should tell your caseworker that you are interested in ARC. |
Child care is just one example of a support available for families with children.
Clothing, grooming and equipment
While receiving social assistance, you may be eligible for help paying for clothing, grooming and equipment if you participate in an activity. You can receive up to $250 for these items.
The clothing amount is available for items such as work boots, uniforms, or clothes for volunteering or employment/training programs. Examples of equipment you might need are safety glasses, other safety equipment, or tools needed to start a training course.
If you are starting a job and need help with clothing or equipment costs, read about help for people who start to work. |
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Help for people who start to work
Many people work and are still eligible for some social assistance. As each person’s situation is different, talk to your caseworker about the rules that apply when you have income. Remember to complete the Income Reporting Statement to declare any money you receive.
While receiving social assistance, if you work or start a new job, Employment and Social Services can help with extra benefits and supports.
| Full-Time employment |
If you have been receiving Ontario Works for three consecutive months or more, you may be eligible for up to $500 to help with job-related costs when you start full-time work. You may also get this help if you increase your work hours from part-time to full-time. This money can help with costs such as clothing, tools and special equipment. Full-time work is 30 or more hours per week. You can receive this help once in a 12-month period. |
| Part-time, casual or self-employed work |
You may be eligible for up to $253 to help with your job-related costs such as clothing, special equipment, police record checks and licensing fees. Part-time work is less than 30 hours per week. You can receive this help once in a 12-month period. |
| Help with health costs |
If your new employer does not provide health benefits, Employment and Social Services may be able to help. Read about health benefits for people leaving Ontario Works. |
| Child care |
If you have to pay child care costs up front, you may be eligible for the Advance Child Care Payment. If you need help finding child care or applying for a subsidy, your caseworker can refer you to Toronto Children’s Services. Read more about child care or other supports for families with children. |
| Help with Housing |
If you have a child(ren) under the age of 18 and you are leaving Ontario Works for a full-time job, you may be able to get help if you have high housing costs. This one-time benefit is available based on your family size:
Family Size |
Benefit Amount |
2 |
$435 |
3 and 4 |
$549 |
5 or more |
$855 |
You may also get help if you are moving to take a new job.
Community services such as Housing Help Centres are also available. If you are not receiving social assistance and you are in rental arrears, you can contact the Rent Bank for help. |
| Keeping your job |
Starting a new job can be difficult. If you think you may need help with being successful in the workplace, talk to your caseworker or visit your local Employment Centre for support. |
| Re-applying for Ontario Works benefits |
If you lose your job or your income decreases, you may need to re-apply for Ontario Works benefits. Call an Employment and Social Services application phone line to reapply. |
| Important Contacts |
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You can also read about other help for people not receiving social assistance and government and community resources. |
Transportation costs
If you are receiving social assistance, you may be eligible for help with transportation costs if you participate in an activity.
The employment-related transportation allowance is $100 per month, whether you use a car or take public transit. You can get this amount for each month that you are in an approved activity.
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If you are not enrolled in an activity but need help paying for transportation, talk to your caseworker. You may be able to get the transportation allowance, for one month only, to help you research activities.
Read about medical transportation if you require help with transportation costs that are not related to an employment activity.
