Learn how to get short term financial support if you are in a crisis or an emergency and don’t have enough money for things like food and housing.

About emergency assistance

If you are in an emergency and you live in Ontario, you might be eligible for emergency assistance, which will provide you with temporary financial support.

If you are eligible for emergency assistance, the amount you get will depend on your specific situation. In most cases you will not get more than what you would get on Ontario Works.

For example, you may get:

• approximately $733 for a month if you are a single person and need help paying for food and shelter
• more if you have children
• up to 48 days of support depending on your specific situation
• additional periods of support, depending on your circumstance

Eligibility

You may qualify if you live in Ontario (not a visitor or tourist), are in a crisis or emergency, and do not have enough money for things like food and housing. For example, a crisis or emergency includes situations where you:

• have been affected by COVID-19 
• are being evicted from your home
• are in or are leaving an abusive relationship 
• are worried about your safety
• have emergency authorization to be in Canada for humanitarian reasons
  • this includes Ukrainian migrants arriving or remaining in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel pathway (CUAET).

You are not eligible if you are getting assistance from Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program

Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel

Ontario is responding to the invasion of Ukraine by ensuring individuals and families seeking safety in Ontario from the conflict have the services and supports they need to integrate and succeed in our province.

If you have arrived or are remaining in Ontario under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET), you can apply for temporary financial support through emergency assistance.

If you are eligible, emergency assistance will give quick support to you and your family.

Support available

You may receive approximately $733 a month if you are a single person and need help paying for food and shelter. You may receive more if you have children.

You and your family may receive financial support for up to six months if you do not have enough money or assets to meet your basic needs.

Prescription drug benefits

If you are eligible for emergency assistance, you will be issued a drug card to pay for part of your prescription drug costs.

Applying for emergency assistance

If you have a Canadian social insurance number (SIN), email address and phone number, you can apply online.

If you do not have a social insurance number, email address and phone number, contact your local Ontario Works office.

Submit only one application for you and your immediate family.

If you choose to apply online, your application will follow these steps. It will take about 15 to 20 minutes to apply.

Step 1: gather the necessary information and submit your application

You will need:

• personal information for you and your family
• your housing costs
• your family’s total income and available assets
• your bank account information (if you have one) so you can get your payment quickly
• documentation confirming your status in Canada, including your passport, visa, permits, etc.
  • this applies to persons in Ontario under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET)

Step 2: Ontario Works reviews your application

A worker at your local Ontario Works office will review your application.

Step 3: Your local Ontario Works office will contact you

A worker from your local Ontario Works office will contact you within four business days of submitting your application. This does not include weekends and holidays.

They may ask you to provide more information to verify your application, like copies of bills or other documents.

If no additional information is required, they may tell you if your application has been approved and how much you can expect to receive.

Step 4: if you are eligible you will get a payment by direct deposit or cheque

If your application is approved your local Ontario Works office will issue you a payment right away. If you provided your bank information, you will get a payment in your bank account within two business days. If you did not provide your bank information, you can expect a cheque to arrive in the mail in seven business days.