Fresh Start - What Is Ontario Works?

The Ontario Works Program was implemented in London in July 1997. It is a program whose purpose is to make social assistance clients more employable and to actively support their efforts to prepare for, find and keep employment. It also provides basic financial assistance. The Ontario Works program is guided by the following principles approved by City Council:

• Assist individuals to plan, choose and follow the most effective route to employment or self-sufficiency.
• Maximize choice, autonomy and responsibility for individuals.
• Provide services according to need from a full range of supports, applying resources where they provide the most benefit.
• Support that assists individuals to successfully achieve goals such as employment and increase in earnings.
• Have organizations that support the achievements of individuals.
• Identify the skills required for recipients to obtain paid employment in the private sector and promote and market recipients in the private sector.

Key ingredients in Ontario Works - London are:

• Honour client choice.
• Support clients.
• Move people to real jobs.
• Meaningful employment placements.
• Maintaining benefits.
• Protecting benefits if no employment opportunities are available.

Employment Assistance & Basic Financial Assistance

There are two forms of assistance under this program: employment assistance and basic financial assistance.

Employment Assistance is designed to help a person to become and stay employed and includes:

• community participation; and
• other employment measures such as job search, job search support services, basic education, employment placement, job specific skills training, supports to self-employment and participation in substance abuse recovery program.

Basic Financial Assistance includes:

• income assistance for the cost of shelter and basic needs including food and clothing
• discretionary benefits; and
• emergency assistance.

Information about Ontario Works can be reached at: www.london.ca