How does one go about getting welfare?

August 2, 2013 8:03 AM

I'm clueless as to how one goes about getting welfare. What can I expect? Is it easy to get?

I'm a Canadian male who lives where there's no work. Yes, I mean that. None.

I no longer want to mooch off my family and would like to get welfare to allow me to move to where there's work; I don't want to go on it just to be lazy.

I'm clueless as to how one goes about getting welfare. What can I expect? Is it easy to get? Etc.

posted by anonymous to Work & Money (4 answers total)

It depends where you are in Canada, in Ontario it is a municipal/regional programme called Ontario Works and you can often apply online. If you are moving to where there is work make sure to check you are eligible for welfare there too, in case you don't get a job immediately. (If you are moving Provinces keep in mind there is usually. A three month residency requirement for Health Care.). I know a few people that have received fund specifically to move to where there is work (travelling by bus, not plane) so that the municipality/province didn't have an obligation to provide on-going support. Be honest and upfront that you want to specifically move to where there are jobs and that you have a plan. I wouldn't tell them you are planning to couch-surf (if you are) because that may affect your shelter allowance and you'll need every penny as welfare is not generous. If you have worked at all in th east few years you should also talk to the staff at Employment Insurance in case you are eligible for any of their programmes.
posted by saucysault at 8:15 AM on August 2, 2013

If you have worked at all in th east few years you should also talk to the staff at Employment Insurance in case you are eligible for any of their programmes.

You can get this information at Service Canada, which I think is the greatest invention in the world. If you go down to your local office, they'll take and review your information, tell you what you're eligible for, and help you apply. If you are not eligible for EI or other federal benefits, your local office can probably point you to your provincial programmes.
posted by DarlingBri at 8:34 AM on August 2, 2013

There are a number of community organizations that can provide you assistance with the application for social assistance. If you can have a mod post what geographical area you are in, you can get more specific information.
posted by googlebombed at 8:35 AM on August 2, 2013

Can you update your province through the mods? The procedure varies.

If you're in Ontario and want to memail me, i'd be happy to help you with the process and get connected to resources. It can be a bit beaurocratic, humiliating and intimidating if you've never dealt with it before. I've been on OW before, I'm not going to judge you or shame you or anything like that.

I can tell you that they are very reluctant to provide funds to someone who has access to ANY other source of funding. So, if you are currently living off your family, they will give you a big hassle about it and will probably be unwilling to fund you. If your family is no longer willing or able to support you, they are a lot more likely to help. There might be an exception if you want the money specifically to move away to find work. But, they will probably want you to prove some things:

-that you have an idea of what kind(s) of work you will do
-that there are jobs like that available
-that you will have a place to live

And they also will want you to explore every possible option for funds before they give you anything. They want a breakdown of your budget expenses, proof of rent costs, and so on. The amount of money that OW provides a single person isn't really enough to live on, but most municipalities will supplement with programs to help you find work, get interview clothes, take courses and whatnot.

You won't really be able to be lazy on welfare because you have to log your job searching activities and their results, as well as most municipalities having mandatory workshops or activities. If you're not participating in a program, there may be a requirement for you to do volunteer work.

Anyways, I don't want to turn this into a novel, but memail me if you want to.
posted by windykites at 8:40 AM on August 2, 2013 [1 favorite]