Basic Needs Allowance
Shelter Allowance
Total assistance for one month (before income deductions if applicable)

PLEASE NOTE:
The Ontario Works rates changed in December 2011.

Low-income families with children under 18 years of age must ensure that they have filed their income taxes to be assessed for the monthly Ontario Child Benefit.

If you are receiving Ontario Works while this benefit is being processed, you may be temporarily eligible for the Transition Child Benefit from Ontario Works.

Number of children / dependent adults*

Amount

No children

$227

1 child 17 years or under

$347

1 dependent adult 18 or older

$561

2 children 17 years or under

$347

1 child 17 years or under, and 1 dependent adult 18 or older

$561

2 dependent adults 18 or older

$701

No children

$448

1 child 17 years or under

$448

1 dependent adult 18 or older

$588

2 children 17 years or under

$448

1 child 17 years or under, and 1 dependent adult 18 or older

$588

2 dependent adults 18 or older

$744

For each additional child / dependent adult:

• add $0 if the child is 17 years or under
• add $157 if the dependent adult is 18 or older

*Dependent adults are children 18 and older who rely on financial help from a social assistance recipient. For more information see: dependent adults and dependent children.

Family size

Monthly Maximum
Shelter Allowance

1

$372

2

$584

3

$634

4

$688

5

$742

6 or more

$769

Number of children / dependent adults*

Maximum
Amount

Special Allowance

Total

0

$409

$62

$471

1 child 17 years or under

$572

$634

1 dependent adult 18 or over

$680

$742

2 children 17 or under

$636

$698

1 child 17 years or under, and 1 dependent adult 18 or over

$744

$806

2 dependent adults 18 or over

$786

$848

3 children 17 years or under

$696

$758

2 children 17 years or under, and 1 dependent adult 18 or over

$804

$866

2 dependent adults 18 or over, and 1 child 17 years or under

$846

$908

3 dependent adults 18 or over

$882

$944

Number of children / dependent adults*

Maximum
Amount

Special Allowance

Total

0

$625

$62

$687

1 child 17 years or under

$681

$743

1 dependent adult 18 or over

$717

$779

2 children 17 or under

$734

$796

1 child 17 years or under, and 1 dependent adult 18 or over

$770

$832

2 dependent adults 18 or over

$804

$866

3 children 17 years or under

$787

$849

2 children 17 years or under, and 1 dependent adult 18 or over

$823

$885

2 dependent adults 18 or over, and 1 child 17 years or under

$857

$919

3 dependent adults 18 or over

$891

$953

For each additional child / dependent adult of a single parent:

• add $60 to the maximum amount if the child is 17 years or under
• add $105 to the maximum amount if the dependent adult is 18 or over

For each additional child / dependent adult of a two parent family:

• add $53 to the maximum amount if the child is 17 years or under
• add $90 to the maximum amount if the dependent adult is 18 or over

Obtaining long-term housing

This includes help paying for:

• deposits for rent and utilities
• moving and storage, or
• necessary household items in start-up situations (such as bedding, dressers, tables, chairs, dishes or small appliances).

Maintaining affordable housing and avoiding eviction

• such as help paying rental and utility arrears

Moving to affordable or suitable housing

If you are moving to new permanent housing and need start-up money, you may be eligible for this help if you are:

• leaving an institution such as a hostel, hospital or jail
• leaving an unsafe situation, or
• moving to greatly improve your living situation.

Minor home repairs to conserve energy and water

A one-time benefit of up to $50 is available to reimburse the cost of items such as:

• caulking
• sealing or weather-stripping for doors and windows
• insulation for hot water pipes and hot water tanks, and
• flow restrictors for shower heads.

To be eligible, you must receive Ontario Works and:

• be responsible for paying the bill for the specific utility
• not pay for these costs as part of your monthly rent, and
• provide receipts for the purchase of items that will help conserve the utilities you pay for (such as fuel, water, or electricity)

Smoke alarms/smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors

You may qualify for help to buy a smoke alarm/smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector. 

The following costs can be reimbursed:

• up to $25 per family for a smoke alarm/smoke detector, and
• up to $50 per family for a carbon monoxide detector.

To be eligible you must:

• receive Ontario Works
• own your home, and
• provide receipts for these items.

Landlords are responsible for providing smoke alarms/smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors for their rental units.

How do you receive the Ontario Child Benefit?

Your eligibility for the Ontario Child Benefit is based on the number of children in your family under age 18 and your family net income as reported on your income tax return.
To be eligible to receive the Ontario Child Benefit you must:

• be a resident of Ontario
• be a primary caregiver (as defined by Canada Revenue Agency) for one or more children under the age of 18 years
• file your income tax return
• register your children for the Canada Child Tax Benefit
• have a net income below the Ontario Child Benefit income levels

The Canada Revenue Agency will automatically review your eligibility for this benefit once your (and your spouse’s) income tax return is assessed and you have registered for the Canada Child Tax Benefit.

To estimate how much you might receive from the Ontario Child Benefit, visit the online calculator.