Financial Aid

Programs to help people who have little or no employment income, or considerable debt.

See the sections on Food & Nutrition, Affordable Housing and Health Care Options for other low or no cost options.

Income Assistance

Employment Insurance (EI) – Regular Benefits – income support after the loss of a job through no fault of your own after working the required number of hours and being available for work.  Call EI at 1-800-206-7218 for information.  Applications can be submitted online.

Employment Insurance (EI) – Caregiving Benefits and Leave – income support for someone who needs to take time off work to care for a sick child, adult or anyone who is at end of life.  To qualify, you must have worked the required number of hours, recently lost a percentage of income due to time away from work for caregiving and receive verification from the person’s medical team.  Call EI at 1-800-206-7218 for information.  Applications can be submitted online.

Ontario Works (OW) – provincial program that helps individuals living in Ontario who are age 16 and over with the essential costs of living, and support to find and keep a job.  Call Hamilton OW Office for information at 1-855-999-8729. Applications can be submitted online.

Disability Supports

Employment Insurance (EI) – Sickness Benefits – income support for individuals who are unable to work for medical reasons.  To qualify you must have worked the required number of hours, recently lost a percentage of your income due to time away from work for illness and receive a medical certificate to confirm your inability to work. Call EI at 1-800-206-7218 for information.  Applications can be submitted online.

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) – income and employment support for Ontarians at least 18 years of age, who are in financial need and meet the program’s definition of a person with a disability.  Call the Hamilton ODSP Office for information at 1-800-561-0369.  Applications are a multi-step process including an application for social assistance, a meeting with a case worker and a determination of disability

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) – Disability Benefits – for individuals under age 65 with a long-term mental or physical disability that limits their ability to do regular work.  Sufficient contributions to CPP must have been made. Call CPP for information 1-800-277-9914.  Applications can be done on paper or online.  A medical form must also be submitted.

CPP – Children’s Benefit – monthly payments for a dependent child up to age 18 or 18 to 25 if a full-time student.  Parent or guardian must be receiving CPP Disability Benefits or deceased and contributed to Canada Pension Plan.  Call CPP for information 1-800-277-9914.  Applications can be submitted online.  A declaration of full-time school attendance is required for applicants 18 to 25 years of age.

Pensions

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) – a monthly taxable payment which can begin from age 60 to 70 years as long as valid contributions to CPP have been made.  Call Service Canada 1-800-277-9914.  Applications may be done on paper or online.

Old Age Security (OAS) – a monthly payment for any Canadian citizen who has lived in Canada at least 10 years since age 18 and your annual income doesn’t exceed $128,149. Payments can begin at age 65 or up to age 70. Call Service Canada 1-800-277-9914.  Applications may be done on paper or online.

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) – a non-taxable monthly payment for low-income seniors aged 65 and over who collect Old Age Security.  Applications may be necessary if not enough information is available and can be done on paper or online. Call Service Canada 1-800-277-9914.

Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) – a monthly payment for seniors age 65 and over who live in Ontario, receive OAS and GIS, and only a small amount of pension income from all other sources.  If you receive OAS and GIS and complete your annual tax return, your eligibility will be automatically determined.

Financial Support

City of Hamilton – Support Programs to assist with the cost of such things as transit, utilities, home renovations and funerals and burials.  905-546-2489

Ontario Home and Vehicle Modification Program – of the Ministry of Community and Social Services and is administered by Ontario March of Dimes.  Funds are available to eligible children and adults to make modifications that help them continue living in their home, avoid job loss and participate in their community. Contact Ontario March of Dimes 1-877-369-4867

Income Taxes

Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) – free income tax returns for people of modest income who have uncomplicated returns.  Call Flamborough Connects 905-689-7880

Credit Counselling

Catholic Family Services – Financial wellness and credit counselling; sliding scale fee may apply. 905-527-3823 or intake@cfshw.com

Credit Counselling Society Hamilton – Free Debt Help and Relief 1-888-527-8999 or info@nomoredebts.org

Credit Canada – Free Credit Counselling 1-800-267-2272.