Family Support Program
You may be able to get child and/or spousal support under the Ontario Family Law Act and the Ontario Child Support Guidelines.
Under the Ontario Works Act, you are required to make a reasonable effort to pursue support. If you are receiving Ontario Works, an Employment and Social Services Family Support Worker will help you find the options that best suit your situation and that meet the legal requirements.
How Family Support Workers can help
Family Support Workers are located at all Employment and Social Services offices, the Ontario Courts of Justice and the Family Support Unit. Their services are free and they can help you:
- by answering your questions about pursuing support
- complete a support agreement
- pursue support in court
- arrange paternity testing
- locate individuals who may be responsible to pay support, and
- with referrals to various agencies.
Support agreements
There are a number of types of written support agreements. Some do not require you to go to court. These agreements are called private agreements and may be referred to as separation or paternity agreements. A court order is a support agreement that is set up through the court.
The Ontario Child Support Guidelines determine the amount of support to be paid.
The benefits of having a written support agreement are:
- Your court order or private agreement remains in effect after you leave Ontario Works.
- Support income is not taxable income.
- The support payor must disclose his/her income on a yearly basis. This means you may get future increases in your support payments.
- You will be able to register your written agreement with the Family Responsibility Office which will enforce your support payments if necessary.
If you receive support payments… |
If you receive support, Employment and Social Services must deduct the full amount of the payments from your social assistance amount. You must report any payments you receive from the respondent/payor including non-cash support.
You must also tell your caseworker if you did not receive your support payments. Your caseworker will tell you what steps you will need to take. Support will not be deducted from your Ontario Works amount until the payments are in full, regular pay.
When you no longer need social assistance your support payments will continue to be an additional source of money available to you.
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Private agreements
Private agreements include paternity agreements and separation agreements. They are voluntary written contracts between two people who are willing to work out a support agreement.
If you are receiving Ontario Works, a Family Support Worker will arrange to meet with both parents to reach an acceptable support agreement. The person who is to pay support is required to provide pay stubs, income tax returns and other information to confirm his/her income.
The court process
If you cannot reach a private agreement, have safety concerns or believe court is a better option for you, other options are available. The Employment and Social Services Family Support Worker can help you fill out application forms to start court action. After completing and signing your court application, you will receive your court hearing date. Your first court appearance will be at least 45 days after completing your court application.
The other person, referred to as “respondent” or “payor,” will receive a copy of your application form as well as other court forms to complete before the court date. The Family Support Worker will explain what needs to be done and how it will happen.
At the court hearing, if you do not have a lawyer, a Family Support Worker will be present at court to help you and speak on your behalf. You will also be able to talk to a Duty Counsel, who is a lawyer available on your day in court for legal advice.
The court process will be faster if you and the other person:
- attend all scheduled hearings
- provide all required financial information
- both agree on paternity, and
- are able to negotiate an agreement.
Location services
If you are receiving Ontario Works and you do not know the whereabouts of the person required to pay you support, the Family Support Worker may be able to find this person. The worker may ask you to provide relevant and updated information about assets, banking information, past addresses, income sources or to provide a photograph.
If there are violence, custody or access issues/concerns with the other person… |
You should discuss these issues with your caseworker or Family Support Worker at any time. The worker will listen to your concerns and discuss other available options such as a referral to Legal Aid or a counselling agency.
If you are at risk of abuse you can also read about help for people in crisis. |
Paternity testing
A paternity test is a saliva test that determines whether someone is the biological father of a child. If paternity is in question, you can speak to your Family Support Worker to arrange for paternity testing. The paternity testing for you and your child is free.
Other resources
For more information about child and spousal support contact:
Employment and Social Services
Family Support Worker Phone Numbers:
Office |
Family Support Worker Phone Number |
Malvern |
416-338-7779 |
Kennedy |
416-397-1273 |
Beaches |
416-397-0287 |
Golden Mile |
416-397-5061 |
Yonge Eglinton |
416-397-1832 |
Metro Hall |
416-392-2655 |
Wellesley Place |
416-392-5111 |
High Park/Parkdale |
416-397-7854 |
Lesmill |
416-392-2813 |
Chesswood |
416-397-9462 |
Lawrence Square |
416-397-1605 |
York Humber |
416-392-5427 |
The Queensway |
416-392-6576 |
Attwell |
416-392-6515 |
 You may also read Employment and Social Services’ Family Support Program brochure.
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