Ontario Works

Submit an initial application

If you live in Renfrew County, there are three ways to start an application for Ontario Works:

• Apply online (available 24 hours)
• By phone
• By visiting an office

The purpose of the initial application is to collect information to determine if you might qualify for financial assistance. You will be asked questions about:

• Who is to be included within your application (examples: self, spouse, children)
• Assets (examples: bank accounts, vehicles, property, investments)
• Income (examples: earnings, Employment Insurance Benefits, insurance payments)
• Living Arrangements (your address and expenses such as rent, hydro, heat)

Once this first step is completed, you will be scheduled for a Verification Interview.

Verification interview

The Verification Interview is an in-office meeting attended by yourself and any family member 18 years of age or older (if they are included in your application). During this meeting an Ontario Works Agent will help you complete necessary paperwork for your application. This includes reviewing and signing documents such as:

• Application for Assistance
• Consents
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Participation Agreements

The Ontario Works Agent will ask questions to determine if you or your family require assistance with:

• Applying for other benefits (examples: Child Tax Credit, Ontario Disability Support Program, other government benefits)
• Housing (examples: help to prevent eviction or utility disconnection)
• Child Care (examples: applying for a child care subsidy, finding a child care provider)
• Other Community Services (examples: mental health, legal, employment, education)

Required documents

The following information is required for yourself and family members who are included in your application:

• Verification of Date of Birth (examples: Passport, Birth Certificate, Driver's Licence)
• Ontario Health Card
• Social Insurance Number

Additional information will be requested to verify your address, income, and assets. Examples include:

• A lease or letter from your landlord to verify your address and rent amount
• A mortgage statement if you own your home
• Most recent utility bills (water, heat, hydro)
• Tenant or homeowner's insurance
• Pay stubs for the current and previous month
• Record of Employment
• Employment Insurance Benefit Statement
• Bank Statement(s) for the last 30 days
• Vehicle ownership(s)

Please note that information is requested depending on your unique financial and housing circumstances. The Ontario Works Agent will let you know what information is required.

Eligibility decision

Once the Verification Interview is completed and required documents submitted, we will let you know if you qualify for financial assistance. The amount of assistance issued is set by the Province of Ontario. It is based on how many people are included in your application and any other income that you (and your family) are receiving. If you do not qualify for Ontario Works, we will try to provide you with information to help you with your circumstances.

Pembroke office

The Pembroke office is located at:

169 Lake Street

Pembroke, ON K8A 5L8

You can contact us by phone at 613-732-2601 or 1-866-897-4849.

Renfrew office

The Renfrew office is located at:

450 O'Brien Road, Suite 104

Renfrew, ON K7V 3Z2

You can contact us by phone at 613-433-9846 or 1-888-281-7526.

Arnprior office

The Arnprior office is located at:

80 McGonigal Street West

Arnprior, ON K7S 1M3

You can contact us by phone at 613-623-5426 or 1-844-623-5426.

Killaloe office

The Killaloe office is located at:

1 John Street, PO 102

Killaloe, ON K0J 2A0

You can contact us by calling 613-757-0770.