2. Learn about when you must try to get spousal support
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 the updated content when it is available.
Question & Answer
Can I get spousal support and money from OW?Ontario Works (OW) can refuse to give you assistance or can reduce or cut off your assistance, if you:
- might be able to get , and
- don’t make “reasonable efforts” to get it.
“Reasonable efforts” could include:
- applying to family court for a support order
- making sure you give OW all the information you have about trying to get support
OW will ask for the name of your spouse. They could also ask where that person is and for other information, like:
- their (SIN)
- their employer’s name and address
- how long you lived together and when you separated
If you know this information but don’t give it to OW, they can refuse to give you assistance, or reduce or cut off your assistance.
If this happens, you might be able to appeal OW’s decision.
What OW may ask you to do
OW may ask you to:
- make a support agreement with your spouse that follows the guidelines that the courts use to decide on spousal support
- apply to get a for spousal support
- go back to court and ask the court to order your spouse to pay more support
- enforce a spousal support agreement or court order that you already have
But there are times when you may not have to try to get spousal support. See Step 3.
