Greater Sudbury residents applying for Ontario Works financial assistance will now be able to contact the local Ontario Works office instead of calling a Northern Ontario Call Centre in Elliot Lake.

Starting on Monday, May 2, 2005, all individuals applying for Ontario Works assistance within the Greater Sudbury area are to contact the City of Greater Sudbury Ontario Works office at 675-2411.  The current Northern Ontario Call Centre number of 1-877-869-8452 will not be in service as of April 30, 2005.

Earlier this year, the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services announced that the application process for Ontario Works would be conducted at the local level.  In the past, the City of Greater Sudbury was required by the Ministry to enter into a reciprocal service agreement to use the services of a call centre in Elliot Lake as provided through the Algoma District Services Administration Board.

“We are pleased that the Provincial Government is decentralizing the intake process to the local level,” said Harold Duff, Director of Social Services.  “The knowledge of local resources, an understanding of the local economy and the ability to determine the eligibility of complex cases were issues that staff at an out-of-town call centre could not always speak to.  The new service delivery model is more suited to adequately address these issues,” added Mr. Duff.

The application for Ontario Works will now begin with a call to the Ontario Works Sudbury Office at 675-2411.  During the initial telephone interview, callers are provided with an appointment to have their application completed and are asked some basic information about their current situation.

The application is completed in person at the Ontario Works Sudbury Office (9th floor, 199 Larch Street).  There candidates are required to complete and sign a detailed application form and a participation agreement outlining a plan to return as quickly as possible to paid employment.

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Media contact:

Harold Duff
Director, Social Services
City of Greater Sudbury, 671-2489 ext. 3559