Employment Insurance & Financial Assistance
There are programs to help you if you lose your job, or if you have a disability. The Government of Ontario has many programs to help you find a job, such as Second Careers. Talk to a person at an Employment Ontario agency in Chatham-Kent to learn about their programs.
The three important government financial assistance programs are:
• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Ontario Works (OW)
Employment (EI)
Employment Insurance (EI) is for people who lose their job because of a bad situation, like layoffs. If you can show proof of 'just cause' for leaving your job, they may give you EI.
They give Canadians or Permanent Residents with no job, money so they can look for work or better their skills. There are five categories to the Employment Insurance Program:
• Regular Benefits
• Maternity and Parental Benefits
• Sickness Benefits
• Compassionate Care Benefits
• Fishing Benefits
Settlement.org gives you a good idea of Employment Insurance. They have a list of important requirements and the main documents you need, like the record of employment. Follow the link to learn more about Chatham-Kent's eligibility requirements for EI (add your postal code).
Use the EI application form online or go to your local Service Canada office in Chatham or Wallaceburg. If you need help with the forms or have a question ask a person who works there.
Remember to tell the person at any of the Employment Ontario sponsored agencies that you get EI, and, if you got EI in the last three years, to use the Ontario Skills Development program.
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Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is for people with disabilities in need of money. This is also for people who can work, but need extra help. This program has two parts: Income Supports and Employment Supports.
Go to the link for ODSP Application Forms and find the Chatham-Kent's Ontario Works location to apply.
You can go to Settlement.Org for more details on the ODSP program and the Disability Tax Credit Certificate.
If you get the Ontario Disability Support Program and need help looking for jobs contact: Career Essentials (519.351.4333) or Insights Enterprises (519.355.1222).
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