FAQ
- How do I apply for social assistance?
- What help is available to assist families with the cost of child care?
- I need emergency housing - where can I go for help?
- Who can apply for subsidized housing?
- How do I apply for subsidized housing?
Q. How do I apply for social assistance?
A. If you are a resident of Northumberland County and need social assistance, there are 2 ways to apply:
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You can call 905-372-6846, ext. 2468, or
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You can visit this website to apply online … www.ontario.ca/socialassistance
When applying by phone …
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The Intake Screener will ask you a number of questions to determine if you qualify for assistance.
This telephone screening will take 15 to 20 minutes. -
If it looks like you might be eligible, you will be scheduled to attend a Verification Interview at our local office located at 555 Courthouse Road in Cobourg.
When applying online …
- The screening process can take up to 60 minutes to complete. This NEW online application is confidential, available in English and French, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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If it looks like you might be eligible, there is also a feature that allows you to suggest up to three dates
and times that you could come in to the local office for a Verification Interview.
Whether you are applying online or by phone, be sure to have the following information for you, your spouse and dependents ready before you get started:
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Birth Certificate
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Social Insurance Number(s)
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Health Card Number(s)
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Immigration Number and Date of Landing (if applicable)
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Cost of Accommodation (including mortgage, rent, heat and hydro)
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Address Information (for the last 12 months)
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Employment Information (for the last 3 months)
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Bank Account and Asset Information (such as RRSP, GIC, CSB)
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Information on all earnings and income (such as Canada Pension or Workplace Safety Insurance Board)
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Notice of Assessment and Child Tax Assessment from Revenue Canada
Please note that you must also bring this information with you to the Verification Interview. During this in-person interview, your eligibility to receive assistance will be confirmed and required forms completed. You will also view a brief overview presentation and you may be asked to complete a literacy screening test. And if so, please remember that it's not a matter of passing or failing - it's a matter of finding out whether you may need help, so that we can then get you the help that you need.
If it is determined that you are not eligible for assistance, you may be referred to other services within our department such as Children's Services and Housing Services or other services within our local community. People who are in crisis or unable to go through the screening process online or over the telephone, will be able to access services at our local office.
Q. What help is available to assist families with the cost of child care?
A. Governed by the Day Nurseries Act and managed by Northumberland County Children's Services, Child Care Fee Subsidy is financial assistance toward the cost of licensed child care or recreational programs while parents or guardians are involved in employment, job searching, education or training.
Based on eligibility, parents pay a portion of the daily cost of child care to the child care centre or recreational facility; the balance of the daily cost is paid by Children's Services directly to the centre or facility on their behalf. Eligibility is determined through an application process based on provincial legislation and municipal guidelines.
Financial assistance towards the cost of licensed child care, recreational program or an informal caregiver can also be provided to parents or guardians who are involved in an Ontario Works employment, job search, education or training program.
For more information about accessing financial assistance for child care, call 905-372-6846 or toll-free at
1-800-354-7051, ext. 2481.
Q. I need emergency housing - where can I go for help?
A. Transition House, located at 10 Chapel St., Cobourg, offers temporary emergency housing for people in need and assists its residents in securing more permanent accommodations. You can contact Transition House at 905-377-0378.
The Salvation Army can provide one to four nights' emergency shelter for single men. Contact 905-373-9440 or
1-866-865-0768.
There are also two emergency shelters for women who are fleeing from abuse. Northumberland Services for Women can be reached at 905-372-0746 or 1-800-263-3757, and Alderville Women´s Shelter can be reached at 905-352-3708 or 1-800-388-5171. Both agencies also provide counselling and support services.
Q. Who can apply for subsidized housing?
A. You can apply for Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) Housing if:
- You are over 16 years old and are able to live independently.
- All members of your household must be legal residents of Canada or refugee claimants. No member is currently under deportation, departure or exclusion order to leave Canada.
- Your household does not owe money to any social housing provider.
- Your household has not been convicted in a court of law or found by an administrative tribunal to be misrepresenting your income for purposes of RGI assistance.
- Your household must be willing to pursue other available income including Ontario Works, support payments, employment insurance, pensions or support payments required under a sponsorship agreement.
Q. How do I apply for subsidized housing?
A. If you are interested in applying for Rent-Geared-To-Income (RGI) Housing, you may:
Contact Northumberland County Housing Services at 905-372-3329 ext. 2304 or our toll free number 1-800-354-7050. Applications can be mailed directly to the applicant, OR can be picked up at the Northumberland County office located at 555 Courthouse Road, Cobourg, Ontario, OR you can go to the Housing Section of this website to download an application form.
Documentation Required with Application:
- Birth Verification for all household members
- Verification of all income for all household members (past full month)
- Verification of all assets for all household members
Please note that this includes a copy of all bankbook(s) and/or statement(s) for all household members (past 2 months), statements from all investments (ie. RRSP, RIF, GIC, annuities, etc.), life insurance documentation verifying the cash surrender value of your policy, and verifications of any transfer of assets from the past 3 years. - Income Tax Notice of Assessment (that you received back from Revenue Canada from previous year) for all household members. You may request a copy of your assessment from Revenue Canada by calling
1-800-959-8281. - School verification for all dependents 16 years of age and older
Please note that your application cannot be processed without all of the above documentation.
Mail or bring the original completed application with appropriate documentation to Northumberland County Community & Social Services, Housing Services, 555 Courthouse Road, Cobourg, ON K9A 5J6.
