Ow Data Portal

The intent of the Ontario Works program is to help people in temporary financial need find sustainable employment and achieve self-reliance through the provision of effective, integrated employment services and financial assistance.

The provincial government is currently undertaking social assistance reform to improve employment outcomes and accountability. This modernization of social assistance delivery has included the implementation of MyBenefits, Reloadable Payment Cards, Electronic Document Management, Electronic Signatures and a Centralized Intake model.  This reform also includes an Employment Services Transformation (EST) that will integrate the employment services delivered through the Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support (ODSP) programs into Employment Ontario (EO).  The EST is intended to create efficiencies allowing Ontario Works staff more time to focus on supporting clients through the delivery of person centered supports and service system navigation to better meet their life stabilization needs. This work will help prepare individuals for active participation in employment related services sometime in the future when they are ready for referral to Employment Ontario.   In the District of Nipissing, the EST will reach full integration in March 2025.