Unemployed and Need Financial Aid? Try Ontario Works.

Hey Lovers, happy new month!

Thank you for all the congratulatory messages and love on Job Search breakthrough post. You guys are the real Gs!😘

There’s that stage of “Broke- ness” that often comes with not having a job and having gone through this phase, I will like to share an important information I wish I knew immediately after college with you .

One thing that being unemployed and broke led me to discover is the availability of various welfare programs in Canada. Every province in Canada has its own social assistance system but since I live in Ontario, I’ll be talking about the Ontario Works.

These welfare program has been and is still being misused by some individuals who believe they can beat the system.

But for those who truly need help, here's what you need to know about Ontario works and how to qualify for it.

---

Three month ago, a friend of mine who was unemployed for 5 months after graduating college called me and while we conversed about how my unemployment has taken a financial toll on me, he shared with me how he got through his own unemployment phase and was able to afford rent and some basic needs despite not having a job.

This is one good thing about having a government that works. There are various measures put in place to assist the people.

To be eligible for financial assistance from Ontario Works:

1. You must be living in Ontario.

2. You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, refugee claimant

3. You must actually have a need for the money . Means you must be unable to pay for basic needs such as food , transportation to interview venues, grooming items and house rent.

There are case workers who will then proceed to interview you and ask questions ranging from how much you have in your bank accounts, your assets, to how you lost your previous job. All these questions are asked to determine your eligibility.

It doesn't end there, the Ontario Works staff (often referred to as your case worker) will then proceed to help you come up with a plan to find a job or improve your skills to help increase your chances of getting a job. (So you can get off the financial support list and be able to fend for yourself). I went to the Ontario Works office in Richmond Hill and trust me some of these people genuinely care about supporting you.

Have it at the back of your mind that the different regulations surrounding welfare schemes forces some people to remain in a perpetual cycle of poverty, that eventually impedes them from being able to build future savings. You don't want to end up like these people, so play by the rules.

---

The government has a right to your bank accounts once you are on welfare and there are certain rules. for example, you cannot have over $10,000 in your bank account. (If you have that in your account, what are you doing collecting the government money anyway?).

My advice to anyone who intends to get help in their state of unemployment is that once you land your first job, inform your case worker and get them to get you off the Ontario Works List.

That will be the right thing to do. However, there are cases of individuals who wants to eat their cake and have it who still get paid by Ontario Works despite the fact that they can fend for themselves. If you are caught, you will have to pay back every dime of the money you got from Ontario works from the moment you started earning your salary.

---

If you need assistance with your rent and basic needs such as food and transportation fares, you are eligible to get $800 from Ontario Works. However, if you happen to live with a relative and you don't have to pay rent, you get $300 for your feeding and basic needs.

Also, if you need outfits for upcoming interviews , you can be hooked up with something decent to wear . Isn’t that amazing?

---

What Do i Do When I Finally Land my Dream Job?

As a typical Naija-Babe, the pride in me made it extremely uncomfortable to be content with being on welfare, so I worked extra hard at sending out those resumes so I could stop getting kickbacks from the government and start earning my own money.

Two weeks into my new job, I called up my case worker and informed her of my latest development.

I was told to fax my employment letter to her and also was also told that I will be getting the sum of $500 in what is called Employment Benefit. This funds is supposed to help me get some work outfits and toiletries so I can show up to my new job looking my best or somewhat decent.

This came in really handy and I was able to get some shirts and shoes on sale at the mall (I will write soon on when and wear to shop for different seasons and occasions ).

If you live in Canada, Ontario or other provinces and know about other available financial assistance programs , kindly share below.

Have an amazing weekend Lovers❤️.