Searching for Emergency Financial Assistance Progams
Located near Owen Sound
Owen Sound, ON, N4K 1P1
The United Way of Bruce Grey is open to in-person meetings, but strongly urges people to reach out by email or phone with in-person service available by appointment. Mask wearing is mandatory for anyone not feeling well, regardless if it is COVID-19 or another illness.
Offers financial assistance for low-income families and individuals living below the poverty line to assist with utility payments.
A venture of the United Way of Bruce Grey and funded by community donations. The financial assistance offered by the program is coordinated with a network of community agencies working in partnership with Bruce County and Grey County Housing as well as other community partners.
For furnace oil, propane, cord wood and wood pellets, the program pays up to $700 pending funding availability and meeting the program's criteria. If approved the program pays for current needs or the next delivery - it does not cover arrears. For all COD (cash on delivery), requires pre-approval prior to ordering of any product - oil, propane or wood products.
- CAUTION: Applicants with unpaid debts have been denied delivery by the service providers. Proceed with application, but be aware there are significant challenges to obtaining furnace oil, propane, cord wood and wood pellets if there are arrears.
For electricity and natural gas:
- Customers of Wellington North Power (WNP) aka North Wellington Hydro are eligible for arrears assistance from UWBG, proceed with intake.
As the funding for the LEAP program will now be available all year, the UWBG will no longer be required to assist the following:
- For customers of Hydro One and Enbridge, call LEAP for natural gas and electricity applications.
- Westario Power applicants should call Bruce County Housing at 1-800-265-3022.
For sewer and water: Will provide only up to $500. May also be able to assist with municipal sewer and water bills for low-income individuals with at least two billing periods in arrears. Grant is credited directly towards the bill for the following municipalities:
Meaford: homeowners and renters
Owen Sound : renters only
Saugeen Shores: renters only
May provide up to $500 for furnace repairs. Repairs cannot be already done. May require a second opinion before repair work is started
Financial budgeting assistance is provided with this program.
Owen Sound, ON, N4K 6Z9
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is designed to meet the unique needs of people with disabilities who are in financial need, or who want and are able to work and need support.
Offers two types of support:
- Income support - financial assistance provided each month to help with the costs of basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter, also includes benefits, such as drug coverage, vision care, benefits for dental care such as cleanings and extractions, for clients and their eligible family members
- Employment supports - Services and supports to help clients with disabilities find and keep a job, and advance their careers
Public washrooms available.
Provides financial assistance for families with children hospitalized out of their local community for one week or longer.
Financial support can assist families with expenses such as:
- travel
- parking
- accommodation
- food
- childcare for siblings
Owen Sound, ON, N4K 3E3
Owen Sound, ON, N4K 3E3
Grey County Social Services delivers the Ontario Works financial assistance program. Ontario Works is an income tested assistance program that provides temporary financial assistance for basic needs and shelter. Ontario Works recipients are also eligible for assistance with adult emergency dental, prescription medication, medical travel and discretionary health benefits.
Discretionary Health Benefits for ODSP recipients are also managed by Grey County Social Services. These benefits may include dentures, health care supplies, prosthetic devices, assistance with funerals and burials.
Assistance may also be available to individuals providing temporary care to a child through the Temporary Care Assistance program. For more information about Temporary Care Assistance please contact 519-376-7112.
Additional Numbers:
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268 - automated information and payment details, payment history, file status, information and announcements about Ontario Works. Service not available to TTY users.
Satellite offices for existing clients
- Dundalk: 90 Artemesia St S, N0C 1B0 (Erskine Community Health Centre)
- Durham: 575 Saddler St E, N0G 1R0 (Rockwood Terrace)
- Hanover: 286 10th St, N4N 1P2
- Markdale: 55 Victoria Ave, N0C 1H0 (South East Grey Community Health Centre)
- Meaford: 80 Victoria St, Unit 3, N0H 2S0
Owen Sound, ON, N4K 3E3
Allowable costs to obtain housing include: last month's rent and deposits for energy costs (gas, electricity, etc). Requires verification of costs and complete information about landlord (name, address, contact phone number) and energy service providers.
Allowable costs to remain housed include rental arrears to avoid eviction and energy arrears to avoid service disconnection (heat, electricity, water and sewage, utilities). Copies of disconnection and eviction notices are required. Bed bug or other infestations are the responsibility of landlords. If the landlord fails to address a problem and verification of the infestation is provided, assistance may be considered.
Costs are paid directly to landlords and/or service providers.
OW/ODSP clients may have their future rent/energy costs paid directly from their entitlement. Non-OW/ODSP applicants must provide verification of accommodation costs, income and assets.
Owen Sound, ON, N4K 3E3
- portable, so benefit may be received after moving to another address
- based on household income and local market rent values
Supports the local community, national and international organizations through local fundraising. Contributes towards CNIB, Dog Guide Canada, School Bursaries, ChildCan, City Fire Dept. Toy Drive, Salvation Food Bank, Diabetic Association, Lions Youth Exchange, and Camp for the Deaf / Camp Dorset summer camp which provides Dialysis on premises.
Collect used glasses from Optometrists and hearing aids and send them to underprivileged countries after being sterilized and labelled accordingly.
May contribute to aid local individuals.
Owen Sound, ON, N4K 5N5
Offers weekly worship services and adult Sabbath School. Also offers bible study and prayer group by Zoom, contact pastor for link
Church has a small program to assist Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program recipients in need of financial support to purchase dental care.
Also offers a vegetarian/plant based cooking class in the spring and fall. Call Pat Hepburn at 519-370-8771 for information.
Arran-Elderslie, ON, N0H 2N0
Events, services, and activities include:
- celebration of Legion Week in September
- annual Poppy campaign is held the first two weeks in November, activities included are; tag days; a parade to the cenotaph on Remembrance Day, November 11, followed by a service at the cenotaph and comradeship at the Legion - proceeds from the Poppy campaign are used to assist veterans and their families, bursaries for education, literacy and poster contest prizes
- provides donations for the local hospitals
- breakfast held last Sunday of the month, Sep-May
- Friday night BBQ, held May-Oct
- pick up location for Good Food Box
- funds free ice time for public skating on school holidays
Check the website or Facebook page for updates on all upcoming events.
Hall use is free for fundraisers or non-profit organizations.
South Bruce Peninsula, ON, N0H 2T0
Provides a number of programs and services including:
- Trades Start Program - one month program designed to teach individuals 15-30 trades skills. Call for details.
- Emergency assistance
Other programs with separate 2-1-1 listings for details:
- Food bank
- Coats for Community program in fall
- Christmas hamper program
- Community Christmas dinner
- Community meals.
Barrie, ON, L4M 3H1
Helps ease financial barriers to accessing dental care for eligible Canadian residents.
To qualify for the CDCP, you must meet all 4 of these requirements:
- You don't have access to dental insurance
- You and your spouse/common-law-partner (if applicable) must have filed your tax returns in Canada so that your family income can be assessed for the previous year
- Your adjusted family net income is less than $90,000
- You're a Canadian resident for tax purposes
Services Covered
- cleaning, polishing, sealants, fluoride treatments
- examinations, X-rays
- fillings, root canals
- extractions
- prosthodontic services, including complete and partial removable dentures
Some services may not be available until Fall, 2024, so check the website for updates
How Much is Covered?Some people will need to pay a co-payment
- those with an annual adjusted family net income of less than $70,000 do not have to pay a co-payment
- those with an income of $70,000-79,999 will pay a copayment of 40% of the treatment
- those with an income of $80,000-89,999 will pay a co-payment of 60% of the treatment
- see website for details