Closed
Source verified April 27, 2026
2.3 Emergency assistance
Immediate financial help in crisis situations
Offered by
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Emergency assistance provides immediate financial help for people in crisis or an emergency. It may cover basic needs, shelter, and benefits, for a maximum period of 48 days.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Immediate emergency financial assistance.
- Short-term support in crisis situations.
Documents Needed
- Completed application and required forms
- Consent forms for information verification
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Individuals in a crisis or emergency situation
- Applicants for Ontario Works financial assistance
Who is not eligible
- People currently receiving social assistance
- Tourists and visitors
Eligible expenses
- Basic needs
- Shelter costs
- Benefits
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Emergency assistance cannot be provided for more than 48 days.
- People currently receiving social assistance are not eligible.
- Tourists and visitors are not eligible.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
How to apply
- Step 1: Start the request
- Contact Ontario Works by phone, online, or in person.
- Requests can be made when first contacting the office or during an ongoing income assistance application.
- Step 2: Provide supporting information
- Submit the information available to justify emergency assistance.
- Provide any missing information needed to complete the eligibility review.
- Step 3: Review and decision
- Staff review the request and verify the information.
- The administrator decides on eligibility and issues the decision in the approved format.
- Step 4: Receive payment
- If approved, assistance is issued immediately for essential needs.
- Additional payments may be made within the 48-day period.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by the administrator after submission.
- Available information is checked and documented before a decision is made.
- A written eligibility decision is issued in the approved format.
- Continued support after 48 days requires a full income assistance application, including consent and a participation agreement.
Additional information
- A full application for income assistance is not required to receive emergency assistance.
- Applicants may apply at their local Ontario Works office, by phone, online, or in person.
- Multiple separate periods of emergency assistance may be issued within a six-month period, based on need.
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- 6.3 ShelterHousing support for eligible Ontario Works recipients
- 7.4 Employment and participation benefitsEmployment support for Ontario Works participants
- Discretionary Residency BenefitHousing support for eligible recipients
- Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP)Support for young parents to study and work
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding nutritional allowanceMonthly nutritional support for pregnant and breastfeeding women
- Temporary care assistanceIncome assistance for children in temporary care
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2.3 Emergency assistance Program
What is the 2.3 Emergency assistance?
Emergency assistance provides immediate financial help for people in crisis or an emergency. It may cover basic needs, shelter, and benefits, for a maximum period of 48 days.
Who is eligible for the 2.3 Emergency assistance program?
To be eligible for the 2.3 Emergency assistance program, you must:
Not receiving social assistance
Unable to cover basic needs
Emergency risk to health or housing
What expenses are eligible under 2.3 Emergency assistance?
Immediate emergency financial assistance.
Short-term support in crisis situations.
Where is the 2.3 Emergency assistance available?
The 2.3 Emergency assistance program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the 2.3 Emergency assistance a grant, loan, or tax credit?
2.3 Emergency assistance is a Other Support
Who are the financial supporters of the 2.3 Emergency assistance?
2.3 Emergency assistance is funded by Government of Ontario