Financial Assistance

Applying for CERB, EI, & Infectious Disease Emergency Leave

• Information on the new Emergency Response Benefit Program

• Frequently asked questions about Canada's Emergency Response Benefit 

• How to apply for Employment Insurance (EI) 

• Information on Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDEL)

• Document on how to apply for benefits step by step, in plain language

Support for Individuals, Families, & Students

• Information on the pause of student loan re-payments and interest

• Read about Emergency Funds for students from the Federal Government

• Apply for extra financial support if you have children

• Apply for financial help if you are a sex worker

Bills & Payment Supports

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• Information on mortgage deferrals

• How to get assistance with Hydro Ottawa payments

• Changes being made to Service Canada Centres

• Info on Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP). If you are a customer of an electricity utility and in a lower-income home, you may qualify for a reduction on your electricity bill.

• Info on Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) 

• The Ontario Works Emergency Assistance program supports residents in financial crisis with no access to other supports, including residents waiting for support from the federal government. To apply: Visit ontario.ca/socialassistance(link is external). Call 3-1-1 and select 4 for Social Services, then 3.Call your caseworker if you receive Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program benefits. If you receive Ontario Works benefits, you can also call 3-1-1, select 4, then 2.

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Housing Services

• Households and landlords will get housing allowances and rent supplements one week early to assist with cash flow.  

• There will be no evictions from social housing during this time. 

• City staff have reached out to hotels and motels that provide temporary emergency accommodation to provide Ottawa Public Health resources for hotel management, staff and clients. Staff are providing ongoing communications to clients at the hotels. 

• Ottawa Inner City Health is taking an active role in the shelter system and has a mobile assessment van in operation to visit the shelters on rotation, in addition to having a nurse on call for evenings and weekends.  

• If you are at risk of housing loss due to shelter arrears, call your Ontario Works/ ODSP Caseworker OR call 311 and press 4 for social services and follow the instructions.

Indigenous Services

• Non-insured health benefits: some temporary changes to make it easier to renew prescription and get respiratory equipment

• Jordan's Principle

• Supporting Inuit children

• Child and family services: First Nations youth who reach age of majority during the outbreak, continue to receive supports