Neighbourhood Information Post

Toronto Employment and Social Services Ontario Works
Office phone: 416-392-8623 General Inquiry
TTY phone: 416-392-2594 ; 416-392-2823
Fax: 416-392-4214
Web site: www.toronto.ca/socialservices
Address: 55 John St, 12th Fl, Toronto, ON, M5V 3C6


Mail Address: 55 John St, Stn 1123, 12th Fl, Toronto, ON, M5V 3C6
Location (Intersection): Toronto Central (University Ave-King St W)
Ward: Trinity-Spadina (Ward 20)
Officers: Heather MacVicar, General Manager
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30-4:30
Area served: City of Toronto - Area Offices serve specific districts
Languages of service: English ; French ; Multilingual Line -- Albanian 416-426-7051, Chinese 416-397-7383, French 416-397-7385, Farsi 416-392-2987, Polish 416-392-4225, Portuguese 416-397-7381, Russian 416-397-0123, Somali 416-397-7384, Spanish 416-397-7382, Vietnamese 416-397-1787
Eligibility: Youth and adults 18 years and over in financial need

• employable youth 16-17 years in financial need who cannot live at home but are attending school or seeking employment (funds must be managed by a trustee, guardian or agency)
• financial need is determined by a review of income, liquid assets and living expenses
• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) -- parents 16-21 years
• Employment Resource Centre -- open to all

How to apply: Ontario Works -- call the Area Office serving specific postal code, see branch records

• maps showing service area boundaries are available from 416-392-8623 or website
• toll free from pay phone 1-888-465-4478
• application also available online -- Web Access to Your Services (WAYS), see website for details

Physical access: Wheelchair accessible building including main entrance and barrier free washrooms - braille and voice elevator, lowered buttons - entrance close to parking Service description: Financial Assistance Monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income

• monthly drug benefit card
• other services include:

Client Services and Information Unit 416-392-2956 -- information on Division's programs, policies and procedures

• general information for persons in receipt of Ontario Works assistance
• mediates between Division representatives and clients or their representatives

Community Start-Up Benefit -- help with housing or moving costs

• Employment Start-Up Benefit -- covers costs related to starting a job or work placement
• Families with Children -- newborn child allowance, back to school allowance for dependent children, child care start-up costs, basic dental care for children

Employment Assistance Clients 18-65 years must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness, or caring for preschool children Employment Resource Centre -- walk-in job search centre

• access to computers, Internet, fax, photocopier, telephone
• resource materials, job banks, labour market information
• assistance with resumes
• referrals to job counselling and training

Community Participation -- volunteer placements

• job search programs -- based on individual's skills, experience and circumstances
• employment placement -- job matching service
• basic education -- basic adult upgrading
• high school upgrading
• English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
• literacy and basic skills
• job skills training -- development of skills for specific jobs
• on-the-job training
• supports to self-employment -- referrals to self-employment programs

Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) -- helps young parents finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment
Other services: Discretionary Benefits -- may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, special diet allowance, health care supplies, medical transportation funds, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials

• programs may vary by City or Municipality, and may be available to non-Ontario Works recipients upon income assessment

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268 -- automated information and payment details, payment history, file status

• information and announcements about Ontario Works
  • service not available to TTY users
  Welfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program assistance
  Organization type: Regional Government
  Subjects: Assaulted women; Assistive devices; Complaints; Computers; Dental services; Drugs; Employment; Fax machines; Financial assistance; Food; Fraud; Free services; Internet access; Job search training; Photocopiers; Social assistance; Telephones; Vision aids
  Other Services: See List
  Record ID: MET0679
  Last complete update: 2008-01-11
  Last modification date: 2009-05-01