People in Canada who can’t meet their basic needs without some kind of income support can get help from social aid programs.
Along with helping people make ends meet, Canada’s welfare programs offer support to help qualified people find and keep a job.
There are special social safety nets for people who have a disability or impairment that makes it impossible for them to work and make money.
This article talks about when to get provincial social support payments, the different kinds of benefits, and how to apply.
Help with Social Issues in Ontario
Two programs in Ontario, Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), help people in need.
Ontario Works helps people who are struggling financially by giving them money and job opportunities. ODSP helps disabled people who qualify by supplementing their income.
When to Get Social Assistance in Ontario
The times that ODSP and Ontario Works will pay out in 2024 are shown in the table below.
| Benefit Month | ODSP Payment Date | Ontario Works Payment Dates |
| January 2024 | January 31, 2024 | December 20, 2023 |
| February 2024 | February 29, 2024 | January 31, 2024 |
| March 2024 | March 28, 2024 | February 29, 2024 |
| April 2024 | April 30, 2024 | March 28, 2024 |
| May 2024 | May 31, 2024 | April 30, 2024 |
| June 2024 | June 28, 2024 | May 31, 2024 |
| July 2024 | July 31, 2024 | June 28, 2024 |
| August 2024 | August 30, 2024 | July 31, 2024 |
| September 2024 | September 27, 2024 | August 30, 2024 |
| October 2024 | October 31, 2024 | September 27, 2024 |
| November 2024 | November 29, 2024 | October 31, 2024 |
| December 2024 | To be determined | November 29, 2024 |
What Is the Cost of Welfare in Ontario?
Your monthly income depends on how much money you have and how many people live in your home. As an example, a single person can get $733 for their basic wants and a place to live. ODSP gives up to $1,228 to a single person to cover basic needs and housing.
How to Get Help with Welfare in Ontario:
Online is where you can start the application. Call your local Social Assistance Office to find out more about the program.
Help for The Needy in British Columbia
In British Columbia, people can get social welfare benefits like help with their pay or help with their disabilities. You must be labeled as a Person with Disabilities (PWD) to get disability aid.
People with Persistent Multiple Barriers (PPMB) can also get help with their pay in B.C.
Dates when BC Social Assistance is paid out
In British Columbia in 2024, the following dates mark when income support and disability benefits will be paid:
| Benefit Month | Payment Dates (Income Assistance and PWD) |
| February 2024 | January 17, 2024 |
| March | February 14, 2024 |
| April | March 20, 2024 |
| May | April 17, 2024 |
| June | May 15, 2024 |
| July | June 19, 2024 |
| August | July 17, 2024 |
| September | August 21, 2024 |
| October | September 18, 2024 |
| November | October 23, 2024 |
| December | November 20, 2024 |
| January 2025 | December 18, 2024 |
How Much Does B.C. Welfare Feel Like? For single people, you could get up to $1,060 a month in income support. For people with disabilities, you could get up to $1,483.50 a month.
How do I get help in British Columbia? Online is where you can start your application. To get help, call 1-866-866-0800 or go to the service B.C. office closest to you.
Help with Social Issues in Alberta
Alberta helps people who qualify by increasing their income so they can pay for basic needs and living costs.
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) payments may be available to you if you have a permanent physical condition that makes it impossible for you to work.
When to get social assistance in Alberta
Here is a list of when people in Alberta are likely to get paid for AISH and income support in 2024.
- December 2023 (payment for January 2024)
- February 1, 2024
- March 1, 2024
- March 31, 2024
- May 1
- June 1
- June 30
- August 1
- September 1
- September 29
- November 1
- December 1
What is the cost of welfare in Alberta? People who get AISH get $1,787 a month as a basic living income. A single adult can get up to $919 a month in cash support.
If you live in Alberta and want to get welfare, you can start your application online for income support or here (AISH). To ask questions, call the toll-free number 1-877-644-9992.