If you need help paying for food and rent in Ontario, Ontario Works (OW) can pay a single person up to $733 a month in 2026. A couple can get up to $1,136 a month. The program, which many people call welfare, helps people in financial need while they look for work.
This guide shows the 2026 Ontario Works rates for each family type, the asset limits, how much you can earn and how to apply. The rates have not gone up since 2018.
What Ontario Works pays · 2026
up to$733a month
for a single person · 2026, unchanged since 2018
Couplesup to $1,136 a month
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Key facts · 5 facts · checked October 23, 2026ShowHide
- Single person: up to $733 a month in 2026 ($343 basic needs + $390 shelter).
- Couple: up to $1,136 a month; couple with 1 child: up to $1,191.
- Single parent with 2 children: up to $1,057 a month.
- Asset limit: $10,000 single, $15,000 couple, plus $500 per dependant; your home and main vehicle do not count.
- After 3 months on OW, you keep the first $200 a month of net earnings, then half of the rest.
Main source: Ontario Works (Government of Ontario)
Ontario Works rate table for 2026
| Family type | Basic needs | Maximum shelter | Total maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single person | $343 | $390 | $733 |
| Couple (no children) | $494 | $642 | $1,136 |
| Single parent + 1 child | $360 | $642 | $1,002 |
| Single parent + 2 children | $360 | $697 | $1,057 |
| Single parent + 3 children | $360 | $756 | $1,116 |
| Couple + 1 child | $494 | $697 | $1,191 |
| Couple + 2 children | $494 | $756 | $1,250 |
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The shelter component is based on your actual housing costs, up to the maximum listed above. If your rent is lower than the maximum, you receive only your actual amount. Basic needs is a fixed amount based on family size.
Payments come on the last business day of the month before. See our Ontario Works payment dates for 2026.
How Ontario Works Compares to ODSP in 2026
Ontario Works and ODSP serve different situations. Here is how they stack up for a single person in 2026:
| Ontario Works | ODSP | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly maximum (single) | $733 | $1,436 |
| Last rate increase | 2018 (frozen) | July 2026 |
| Next rate increase | None announced | July 2027 (expected) |
| Earnings exemption | $200/mo (after 3 months) | $1,000/mo (flat) |
| Asset limit (single) | $10,000 | $40,000 |
| Who qualifies | Anyone in financial need | Must have disability |
| Employment requirement | Yes, must take part | No |
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Ontario Works rates have been frozen at $733 since 2018. ODSP rates have gone up by more than 22% since September 2022. If you have a disability, switching to ODSP could mean up to $703 more per month for a single person.
For a full breakdown, see ODSP vs Ontario Works 2026: full comparison.
How Ontario Works is calculated
Your monthly OW payment is determined by two components:
Basic needs covers food, clothing, personal items, and other daily necessities. The amount is set by family size and does not vary based on your actual expenses.
Shelter allowance covers rent, mortgage payments (principal and interest), property taxes, utilities, and other housing costs. You receive the lesser of your actual shelter costs or the maximum for your family size.
Other income, such as pay from a job or a pension, is deducted from your total benefit. Pay from work gets the earnings exemption below.
Earnings exemption: how much can you earn on OW?
Ontario Works allows you to keep a portion of your earnings without reducing your benefit:
- First $200 per month of net employment income: fully exempt, no deduction
- Above $200 per month: 50% is deducted from your OW payment
Important: the earnings exemption only applies after you have been on Ontario Works for 3 or more consecutive months. During the first 3 months, all employment income is deducted dollar-for-dollar.
Example: a single person who earns $800 a month after deductions and has been on OW for more than 3 months
- First $200: exempt
- Remaining $600: 50% deducted = $300 deduction
- OW basic needs + shelter: $733
- Monthly OW payment: $733 - $300 = $433
- Total income (OW + employment): $433 + $800 = $1,233
Working part-time while on OW always leaves you better off financially than not working, once the exemption kicks in.
Asset limits
To qualify for Ontario Works, your assets must be below certain limits:
| Situation | Asset limit |
|---|---|
| Single person | $10,000 |
| Single parent with 1 child | $10,500, plus $500 for each extra dependant |
| Couple, no children | $15,000 |
| Couple with 1 child | $15,500, plus $500 for each extra dependant |
What counts as an asset: cash, bank accounts, investments (stocks, bonds, GICs), RRSPs you can cash out, and property other than your home.
What does not count: the home you own and live in, your main vehicle, RESPs, RDSPs and locked-in RRSPs or pensions. A prepaid funeral of any value, household items like furniture and clothing, and some funds held in trust also do not count.
If you own a home, you can still qualify for Ontario Works as long as your other assets fall within the limits.
How to apply for Ontario Works in 2026
Ontario Works intake was centralized in January 2025 through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. You can now apply through:
- Online: start a new application on the Ontario Works page on ontario.ca. It takes 20 to 30 minutes.
- Phone: the Social Assistance Support Line at 1-888-999-1142 (toll-free) or TTY 1-800-387-5559
- In person: your local Ontario Works office
After you submit your application and provide all required documents, an eligibility decision is typically made within 4 business days. For each step, see our guide to Ontario Works eligibility and how to apply.
Documents you'll need:
- Social insurance numbers (SIN) and OHIP cards for your family
- Birth certificates and immigration papers, if they apply
- Tax returns and your banking information
- Proof of income and housing costs, such as pay stubs, a lease or bills
- Bank statements for at least the month before you apply (up to 12 months may be asked)
What changed for Ontario Works in 2025 and 2026
Several administrative changes have occurred, though rates remain unchanged:
January 2025: Intake was centralized through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
March 2025: Employment activities for OW recipients are now referred to Employment Ontario service providers, rather than being managed through individual municipal offices.
Rates: Ontario Works rates have been frozen since 2018. Unlike ODSP (which has gone up by more than 22% since September 2022 and is now tied to inflation), OW has received no cost-of-living adjustment.
Canada Disability Benefit: The new federal Canada Disability Benefit (started July 2025) is exempt as income for Ontario Works. It does not reduce your OW payment.
Other benefits you may qualify for while on OW
Many people receiving Ontario Works also qualify for additional programs that can significantly increase their total support:
Automatic eligibility while on OW:
- Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB): prescription drug coverage; some pharmacies may charge up to $2 per prescription if you are 25 or older
- Dental care: children 17 and under are enrolled in Healthy Smiles Ontario, and adults may get dental care through Ontario Works
Programs you should also check:
- Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP): a $35 to $75 monthly credit on your electricity bill, and more in some cases
- Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB): Monthly tax credit combining OSTC + OEPTC + NOEC
- Canada Child Benefit (CCB): up to $8,157 a year ($679.75 a month) per child under 6, from July 2026 to June 2027
- Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit): up to $679 a year for a single person, from July 2026 to June 2027
Example: a single parent with two children under 6 pays at least $697 a month in rent and has no other income. From July 2026 to June 2027, the family could get up to $1,057 a month from Ontario Works. It could also get up to $1,359.50 from the Canada Child Benefit and $293.32 from the Ontario Child Benefit. That is up to $2,709.82 a month before the other credits above.
How Benefit Check helps
Benefit Check estimates your eligibility for Ontario Works alongside 20+ other federal and provincial programs. The calculator shows you:
- how much you'd receive from OW based on your family size and shelter costs
- which other programs you qualify for
- how your total benefits change if your income or family situation changes
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is welfare in Ontario per month?
Ontario Works, the program many people call welfare, pays up to $733 a month for a single person in 2026. A couple can get up to $1,136 and a single parent with two children up to $1,057. The amount depends on your family size and your actual rent, and most other income you have is deducted.
Can I work while receiving Ontario Works?
Yes. After you have received Ontario Works for 3 consecutive months, you can earn up to $200 per month without it affecting your payment. After that, your benefits are reduced by 50 cents for every dollar you earn above $200. If you are new to Ontario Works, there is no earnings exemption for the first 3 months.
How much does a single mother of 2 get on Ontario Works?
A single parent with two children under 18 can get up to $1,057 a month from Ontario Works in 2026: $360 for basic needs and up to $697 for shelter. The Canada Child Benefit and the Ontario Child Benefit are paid on top and do not reduce Ontario Works. For two children under 6, they can add up to $1,652.82 a month from July 2026 to June 2027.
What is the maximum shelter allowance for a single person on Ontario Works?
The maximum shelter allowance for a single person is $390 per month. Your total maximum benefit is $733 ($343 basic needs + $390 shelter). If your actual rent is lower than $390, you receive your actual rent amount, not the maximum.
How is Ontario Works different from EI (Employment Insurance)?
Ontario Works is Ontario's social assistance for people in financial need. Employment Insurance (EI) is a federal program for people who lost a job and have enough insurable hours. You can apply for Ontario Works while you get EI, but EI payments count as income, so they reduce your Ontario Works payment.
Will Ontario Works rates increase in 2026?
No increase has been announced. Ontario Works rates have stayed the same since 2018: up to $733 a month for a single person. ODSP rates, by contrast, are tied to inflation and go up every July. They rose 1.9% in July 2026.
How do I apply for Ontario Works?
You can apply online from the Ontario Works page on ontario.ca, which takes 20 to 30 minutes, or call the Social Assistance Support Line at 1-888-999-1142. You can also apply through your local Ontario Works office. Once the caseworker has all the information they need, you are told within 4 business days if you are approved.