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Ontario Works Benefits
Mandatory Benefits
People in receipt of Ontario Works Assistance may be eligible for other mandatory benefits such as:
- Vision care for dependent children
- Travel and Transportation for medical appointments
- Assistance with diabetic supplies
- Assistance with surgical supplies
- Guide Dog Benefit
- Transition Child Benefit
- Advance Child Care Benefit
Discretionary Benefits
People in receipt of Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support assistance may be eligible for other discretionary benefits such as:
- Dental care for adults
- Vision care for adults
- Dentures
- Prosthetic devices
- Other items required for health related reasons
Employment Related Benefits
People in receipt of Ontario Works assistance who are actively involved in an employment assistance activity or who have started a job may also be eligible to receive assistance with related expenses such as:
- Clothing, grooming
- Safety equipment such as work boots, hard hats, etc
- Supplies and equipment
- Transportation
- Criminal reference checks or medical examinations and certificates
- Minor fees such as certification charges or short term training costs etc
- Child care costs
Health Benefits
People who have high prescription drug or other health-related costs and who are no longer eligible for assistance due to the amount of their income may be eligible to receive Extended Health Benefits. People are required to continue to meet the prescribed asset limits to be eligible and must have been in receipt of Ontario Works assistance in the month immediately before the month in which they became ineligible. How long a person can receive these benefits for will depend upon the type of income they are receiving. People with high prescription drug costs will be advised to apply to the Trillium Drug Benefit Program. Benefits include:
- prescription drug coverage
- vision care for dependent children
- diabetic supplies, surgical supplies and dressings
- medical transportation costs over $15 per month per benefit unit
- consumer contribution for an assistive device and eligibility assessment under the Assistive Devices Program (ADP)
- batteries and necessary repairs for mobility devices
- routine eye examinations once in every 24-month period