Employment Start-Up

This benefit is up to $500 and you can get this if you are: starting or changing a job (full-time, part-time or casual), starting a training program, starting your own business, starting a volunteer position, starting school or starting any other activity that will help you get or keep work.

If you are starting full-time work, you can get $500.

If you are starting part-time work or an employment assistance program, you can get $253.

The money is for: clothes, shoes, grooming costs (ie. haircuts, etc.), tools and equipment, transportation, license fees or association costs, or any other item that is necessary for work or training related expense.

If you are getting off of welfare and going onto OSAP, you may be able to get this benefit. However, they won’t give you money for books, but they might give it for clothes.

To apply, send in a letter or some other proof from your employer, supervisor, school, (or yourself if you become self-employed) and provide a list of items you need with an estimate of their cost to your worker. It is always a good idea to put down more things than you could actually pay for in case they do not allow one of the items. Rarely, they will ask for receipt.

You can get this benefit once a year.

Each person in your family can get this benefit. So, if you get a job and so does your partner, you could get up to $1,000.