What if someone wants to apply for Ontario Works but is living with their parent(s)?

General Rule: Someone living with their parents is not eligible for income assistance because they aren’t considered financially independent.  However, in some cases, your client could be exempt from this rule. Some examples of when this might happen include: 

• If they lived with a spouse at any time in the past
• If they are a parent who has/had lawful custody of their child
• If they received a degree or diploma from a post-secondary institution
• If Five years have passed since they stopped attending secondary school or receiving at-home instruction
• If they are or have been eligible as a sole support student under the Student Assistance Program (OSAP) or the First Nations Post-Secondary Funding Program
• If they have, for a cumulative period of at least 2 years:
  • Had basic needs and shelter provided by a source other than an institution or parent
  • Received social assistance in their own right
  • Lived away from their parents’ home after their 18th birthday
  • Had a monthly income (other than support payments) that was higher than the maximum amount provided to a single person under Ontario Works ($733/month in 2020)

How You Can Help:

• Step 1: If your client believes they meet one of these exceptions, help them contact Ontario Works to review their eligibility.
• Step 2: If your client wants to dispute a denied application related to their financial independence, refer them to a legal clinic and make sure they bring their Notice of Decision, if they have it.
• Step 3: If your client can’t receive legal advice, help them complete a form letter for internal review or draft their own letter. Make sure they submit their request within 30 days from when they received the Notice of Decision about their denied application.