Ontario Works (OW) - Financial Assistance (Shelter Allowance)
Ontario Works gives you money each month if you are in financial need and willing to take part in job activities. It includes a shelter amount that helps pay rent and housing costs. The shelter amount for one person is up to $390 a month. A single person's total OW is $733 a month.
What you get
Up to $733/month
Who it's for
You qualify if you live in Ontario, are in financial need, and meet the savings and participation rules.
This takes you to the official website
Depends on your household size and income.
What to have ready
Documents they may ask for
- Government ID for everyone in your household, if available
- A copy of your lease or rent agreement
- Recent rent receipt, ledger, or proof of what you owe
- Recent pay stubs, benefit statement, or income proof
- ODSP, Ontario Works, CPP, OAS, or other benefit statement if you have one
- Recent bank statement, if the program asks for it
What to say when you call
“Hi, I found your housing support program and I want to check if I can apply. Can you tell me the current rules, documents needed, and the next step?”
Use the official page first, then call 211 if you are not sure where to start.
Can I get this?
You have a good chance if this sounds like you:
- You qualify if you live in Ontario, are in financial need, and meet the savings and participation rules
What to do next
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The fine print
More details about the money
Maximum monthly shelter allowance by benefit unit size: 1 person $390; 2 $642; 3 $697; 4 $756; 5 $815; 6 or more $844. Total financial assistance for a single person is $733 a month and may be adjusted based on your situation.
Amounts and eligibility change. Confirm the current figure with the program administrator through the official link before you rely on it.
The full eligibility rules
Ontario residents in financial need who meet asset and participation requirements. The shelter portion is based on your actual shelter costs (rent, utilities, heat, property tax, etc.) up to a maximum that depends on the number of people in your benefit unit.
Good to know
Shelter maximums quoted directly from OW Policy Directive 6.3 (Shelter), shown as effective July 2024. Unlike the ODSP directive, the OW shelter directive does not state an automatic annual indexation, so re-verify the table periodically. The $733 single-person figure is quoted directly from the Ontario.ca 'Financial assistance from Ontario Works' page.
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