We recently attended a City of Toronto webinar titled “Programs for People with Precarious Status: Connecting Clients to City Services,” where we had the chance to learn about the seven benefits programs available to low-income Toronto residents with precarious status. To help our Welcome Group Program newcomers and volunteers, we have created a simple guide below.

Together Project’s Guide to City of Toronto Benefit Programs:

Welcome Policy – Each child/youth resident (age 0 to 24) can receive $683.04 per year, and each adult (age 25 and over) can receive $314.60 per year for recreation frees, after-school care, camps, and lessons offered by City of Toronto recreation centres.

Fair Pass Transit Discount Program – Eligible adult residents can get a 12-month transit pass discount and save $1.20 per ride. This is programmed onto a physical PRESTO card or a digital PRESTO card. While documented status is not a requirement, demonstration of financial need is necessary. A Letter of Support is an avenue for organizations to refer their clients. Learn more about the Letter of Support here.

Childcare Fee Subsidy – This program is for children aged 12 or younger to sign up for licensed childcare and before/after school programs at a subsidized price that depends on the number of children and the family’s income. This is for status holders or people with a work permit. Applications can be made online at My Child Care Account or over the phone. 

Rent Geared to Income  – RGI, or subsidized housing, is for residents with documented status to acquire more affordable rent. Since there is a 10+ year waitlist for RGI, eligible candidates should apply as soon as possible to My Access to Housing Toronto (MATHTO). While undocumented people are ineligible for this program, they can sign up for the waitlist for shelters.  

Ontario Works / Emergency Assistance – While OW provides ongoing assistance, emergency assistance covers immediate but temporary financial support, for money for food, shelter, clothing, health, and household costs, etc. The amount depends on the situation, size of family, housing costs, and income. They can apply online, by phone, or in person at Service Ontario. For people awaiting status, while they are not eligible for OW, they can still put in an application either over the phone or in person. If they don’t receive funds, they can apply to appeal the decision, since if there is an acknowledgment of claim, that is enough to receive Ontario Works. People starting the refugee process and have an acknowledgment of claim, or an appointment to attend a hearing may be eligible to apply. There is an IRCC check during the process which will reveal if their status situation has changed.

Health Support – Essential medical and health-related items are available for low-income residents who don’t have OW or ODSP assistance. These include incontinence supplies, eyeglasses and exams, diabetic supplies, dental services, prosthetic appliances, mobility aids, orthotics, hearing aids, wheelchair repairs. Individuals can apply to The Hardship Fund, which is open to those who need health support but don’t have legal status. If eligible, applicants receive a voucher that covers the cost of the health item. They can apply over the phone or in person, and will need to demonstrate need with documents from their bank account, and documentation from a medical professional that they need this benefit.

Funeral Expenses – This benefit covers basic funeral expenses for deceased Toronto residents when they don’t have funds for basic funeral and burial services. Applicants need to live in the city of Toronto. These applications can only be completed over the phone. If the deceased person was not on OW or ODSP, applicants may be eligible for this benefit. However, if the deceased person was on OW or ODSP, applicants can go to the funeral home, where staff will handle this, and the person handling the funeral arrangements would call regarding this benefit.

How to Learn More:

By Phone: 416-338-8888. Interpreter services are available over the phone. 

Online: toronto.ca/humanservices

E-mail: HSI@toronto.ca 

In Person:

Once a week, there are in-person pop ups for people to learn more and apply for programs with staff at three community centres: 

-Tuesdays at Scarborough Civic Centre at 150 Borough Dr., 9-4pm

-Wednesdays at Regent Park Community Centre at 402 Shuter St., 9-4pm

-Thursdays at Keele Community Hub at 1652 Keele St. All are 9-4 PM

The staff will help them apply for things all at once, to multiple programs. 

For more information: click here.