3. Answer questions about your relationship

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.

Ontario Works (OW) asks the questions that are in Part 1 of the Questionnaire (for Applicants or Recipients who are living with another adult) if:

  • you’ve been living with someone who is not a close family member for at least 3 months, and
  • you say that the person is not your spouse.

Questions in Part 1 of the Questionnaire

In Part 1, OW asks you to choose the option that best describes your relationship with this person. You can choose:

  • legally married
  • marriage-like, such as common-law
  • roommate
  • roomer or boarder
  • friend
  • caregiver, if you’re not married or living common-law

Or, if you choose, “other”, you have to explain what that means.

There are also questions about:

  • whether there’s a court order or agreement that says that the person you live with must support you or your child
  • whether or not you have children together

Based on your answers to Part 1, OW can decide either that:

  • you’re spouses, or
  • they need to ask you more questions before they can decide. Steps 4 and 5 talk about these other questions.

If you disagree with the decision

If OW decides that the person you’re living with is your spouse, they’ll say that you have to apply for assistance as a couple.

If you disagree with their decision, you may be able to appeal.

Hide this website