Ontario Works
URGENT MESSAGE: Regarding your May, 2013 Ontario Works payment
What is the issue?
The province experienced technical difficulties with the processing of May, 2013 Ontario Works payments in several regions including Windsor-Essex county.
Who is affected?
Only those persons who have pay directs for rent and/or utilities in place.
What happened and what do I need to do?
Direct payments for rent and utilities were not made by the municipality on your behalf. Instead, the money was included in your May, 2013 cheque or direct deposit amount.
You must pay your rent and/or utilities (hydro) and/or gas for the month of May, 2013 out of this payment.
URGENT MESSAGE: Regarding your May, 2013 bus pass
What is the issue?
The province experienced technical difficulties with the processing of May, 2013 Ontario Works payments in several regions, including Windsor-Essex county.
Who is affected?
Those persons who receive a monthly bus pass, shown as a $0.10 or $0.12 benefit on their monthly statement.
What happened and what do I need to do?
You may have received a cheque in the amount of $2.50. If you are entitled to a bus pass for May, 2013 use the cheque stub to obtain it. And please ensure you cash the cheque.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your Ontario Works caseworker directly or for general information call 211.
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The Ontario Works Act, through the Province of Ontario's Ministry of Community and Social Services provides the framework for the provision of employment and basic financial assistance to persons in need. The City of Windsor's Employment and Social Services Department delivers Ontario Works to residents of Windsor and Essex County.
There are two options available to those who need to apply for Ontario Works assistance:
Online at
www.ontario.ca/socialassistance ~ The website provides instructions on how to complete the application and also outlines the information needed. The appointment scheduling feature allows you to suggest dates and times you are available to attend a verification interview (VI). Once the application is screened and uploaded, one of our intake service representatives will contact you to confirm your VI appointment. Depending on the number of applications received, you will receive a call back the same or next business day.
Note: A call-back telephone number is required in order for us to provide you with the VI appointment details. If no call-back telephone number is provided, you will need to contact our intake unit at 519-255-5600 (please see Item 2 below for office hours) to obtain your appointment time along with additional details pertaining to your appointment. If after 5 days we are unable to contact you, a new application will need to be completed online or by telephone; OR
Our intake unit is available by phone at 519-255-5600, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 and 11:30 am or 1:00 and 4:00 pm. When you call, a brief application will be taken and a time set up for you to meet with a caseworker to finalize the application (verification interview). Please have the following information available when you call:
• Social Insurance Number
• Ontario health card number
• Relevant immigration papers, if applicable
• Rental or mortgage information
• Income information such as earnings, pensions and support
• All banking and investment information
Recipients of Ontario Works may access information pertaining to their assistance by phoning 1-800-808-2268.
In Windsor call 311 for general information. For detailed inquiries, call (519) 255-5200.
Fax: (519) 255-1011 or (519) 255-1503
Email: socserv@city.windsor.on.ca
In Leamington call (519) 946-9988.
Fax: (519) 322-3529 or toll free at 1-866-763-1222
Email: socserv@city.windsor.on.ca
Drop off at Customer Care Centres:
Required documents or letters can be dropped off at any of the Customer Care Centres located in the various wards of the city. Please visit our
Customer Care Centres page for a listing of participating locations and
hours of operation.