Working While on Ontario Works Assistance
You can earn up to a certain amount while receiving Ontario Works assistance without it affecting your assistance.
- Child care costs are an allowable expense up to a maximum amount. This means that less employment earnings may be deducted to help cover for this cost. Speak to your caseworker or employment counselor for more details on how earnings will be treated for your case.
Learn more about how much you can earn without it affecting your assistance:
I’ve been on assistance for at least three months and now earn $200 a month or less
- Your Ontario works entitlement will not be affected.
Example of total monthly income if you earn $200 or less:
| Type of Income | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ontario Works Entitlement | $1000 |
| Earning from Work | $200 |
| Amount Deducted from Ontario Works | $0 (no deductions for earnings of $200 or less) |
| Total Income | $1200 ($1000 from Ontario Works + $200 earnings) |
I’ve been on assistance for at least three months and now earn over $200 a month
- 50% of your net earnings will be deducted from your Ontario Works entitlement.
Example of total monthly income if you earn over $200:
| Type of Income | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ontario Works Initial Entitlement | $1000 |
| Earnings from Work | $500 |
| Amount Deducted from Ontario Works | $150 ($500 earnings - $200 earnings exemption = $300. $300 net earnings x 50% = $150) |
| Amount of Ontario Works Assistance after Deduction |
$850 |
| Total Income | $1350 ($850 Ontario Works amount after deductions + $500 income from earnings) |
I’ve been on assistance for less than three months and have earnings
- Earnings are taken off dollar for dollar.
Example of total monthly income if you’ve been on assistance for less than 3 months and earn any amount of money:
| Type of Income | Amount |
| Ontario Works entitlement | $1000 |
| Earning from work | $250 |
| Amount deducted from Ontario Works | $250 (same as earnings from work) |
| Amount from Ontario Works after deduction | $750 |
| Total Income |
$1000 |