Domestic Violence and Ontario Works:

How we can help with
your job efforts…
• Practical help with finding a job
• Volunteer opportunities to gain experience
and skills (Community Placement)
• Basic education and job-skills training
opportunities
• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP)
to help teenage parents finish high school,
gain parenting skills and find work
• Help with cost of transportation, work
clothing and equipment, childcare and
other job-related expenses
Cette publication, qui porte le titre de
«La violence familiale et Ontario au travail :
Ce que vous devriez savoir » est également
disponible en français. Pour obtenir un
exemplaire, veuillez composer le
1 888 789-4199 ou écrire à l’adresse
suivante :
Ministry of Community and Social Services
ServiceOntario INFOline
777 Bay Street, Suite M212
Toronto, ON M5G 2C8
ServiceOntario
1-888-789-4199,
Teletypewriter (TTY) 1-800-387-5559
or visit
www.ontario.ca/mcss
Where to reach us…
Domestic Violence
and Ontario Works:
What You Should Know
The application process is confidential
and your privacy will be protected.
© Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2006
ISBN 1-4249-2171-6 500/10/09
Ce document est également disponible en français
Other ways we can help…
We can help you develop your safety plan
as a first step.
A caseworker will help you connect with the
supports and services you need such as
emergency shelter, legal help, affordable
housing and counselling.
You are not alone. We can help.
Financial assistance…
If you are living in a violent or abusive situation,
Ontario Works can help. Ontario Works is a
program that offers financial assistance and
job-related supports to eligible people in need.
Eligible people receive financial assistance
to help with the cost of food, clothing and
housing. The amount of financial assistance
you receive depends on things such as
housing costs, number of children and level of
assets. The caseworker will need information
from you to determine the amount of financial
assistance you may be eligible to receive.
What you can expect…
Tell the caseworker you are in an abusive
situation and you will receive an appointment
within 24 hours at a safe location.
• You will be believed and treated with respect.
• You will receive services in French if required.
•
If you do not speak English or French
an interpreter for languages (other than
French) will be provided for speaking with
the caseworker.
• You will not be asked to pursue financial
support from your abuser.
• Money can be provided to help you move
out immediately.
•
Money can be provided to help you set up
a home in the community if you are leaving
an abusive home, an interval home or a
shelter.
• If you have a job, you may still be able to
get financial assistance from Ontario Works
depending on how much you are earning.
Additional money may be provided to help with
other home set-up costs such as hydro connection
and security features to help make sure your
new home is safe.
A drug card for prescription medication will be
provided each month.
Basic dental and vision care will be provided for
your children. In some cases, dental and vision
care may also be provided to adults.
You will receive extra money to help you buy
clothing and supplies for your children when
they start school each year.
You will receive extra money to help you buy
winter clothing for your children.