I used to be on OW and I need it again. What can I do?
The Ontario Human Rights Commission has released their latest take on mandatory vaccines, passports and testing, here: http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/news_centre/ohrc-policy-statement-covid-19-vaccine-mandates-and-proof-vaccine-certificates. In light of this update, and the new directives that the Province released a few weeks ago, we are in the process of updating our covid testing content. Please re-visit the site to access the updated content when it is available.
Long delays for appeal hearings
If you’re appealing a decision made by OW or ODSP in 2020, your appeal hearing may not happen for a long time. People report that they’re getting hearing dates from the that are between 9 and 16 months in the future. We’ll update this information as things change.
You might be able to re-apply without doing a whole new application. It depends on when you stopped getting from Ontario Works (OW).
Less than 6 months
OW can let you re-apply if you stopped getting financial assistance less than 6 months ago. And the OW office can start your application with the information you gave them the last time you applied.
But they may ask you for more information to show that you still qualify.
More than 6 months but less than a year
OW can let you re-apply if you stopped getting assistance more than 6 months but less than a year ago. And they may start your application with the information you gave them the last time you applied.
But they can also decide that you have to start a whole new application.
If they use your last application, they may ask you for more information to show that you still qualify.
More than a year ago
If it’s been more than a year since you stopped getting OW assistance, you have to start a new application.
If OW cut off your assistance
If OW cut off your financial assistance because they said you were not following the rules, you might have to wait to re-apply.
For example, this could happen if you were cut off because:
- they thought you were not trying to find and keep work, and
- looking for work was in your Participation Agreement.
When this happens, you can’t get financial assistance for:
- one month, if it’s the first time you were cut off for this reason
- 3 months, if it’s not the first time
And you can’t re-apply for OW assistance until after the one month or 3 months is over.
If you disagree with an OW decision
Talk to a community legal clinic if you disagree with an OW decision.
They may be able to help you appeal the decision.
