Ontario Works helps people in temporary financial need become employed and achieve self-reliance.
Ontario Works is delivered at the municipal level through 47 Consolidated Municipal Service Managers (in Northern Ontario, they are called District Social Services Administration Boards), and First Nations delivery agents.
The Ontario Works Act, 1997 and its regulations provide the legislative framework for the program. The legislation states the purpose of the act is to establish a program that:
- recognizes individual responsibility and promotes self reliance through employment;
- provides temporary financial assistance to those most in need while they satisfy obligations to become and stay employed;
- effectively serves people needing assistance; and
- is accountable to the taxpayers of Ontario.
Policy directives provide the interpretation and application of the legislative and policy requirements of the program.