No. Effective immediately, Ontario has amended the Ontario Works Act and the Ontario Disability Support Program Act to restrict eligibility to legal Canadian residents. Temporary residents, including international students, temporary workers, and visitors, along with individuals without legal status, no longer qualify for these programs.

What Exactly Changed Under the Amended Regulations?

Ontario has updated the eligibility rules for its two main social assistance programs, Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program. Under the amended regulations, two groups are now explicitly excluded: individuals who are in Canada without legal status, and individuals authorized to be in Canada only on a temporary basis, such as those holding a study permit, work permit, or visitor status.

The change took effect immediately upon announcement, with no transition period. Applicants now need to demonstrate their citizenship or permanent immigration status to qualify for either program.

Why Is Ontario Making This Change Now?

Provincial officials framed the change as a matter of fiscal targeting rather than program cuts. The stated goal is to reserve taxpayer-funded assistance for people who are legally settled in Ontario on a permanent basis, while continuing to grow support for that group. The province points to a roughly 23 percent increase in ODSP rates since September 2022, alongside annual increases tied to inflation, as evidence that the underlying programs are still expanding for eligible residents.

This kind of eligibility tightening is not unique to Ontario. Several provinces have revisited who qualifies for provincially funded benefits as temporary resident populations have grown, and Ontario’s move reflects that broader trend rather than a standalone policy shift.

Who Is Still Eligible for Social Assistance in Ontario?

Canadian citizens and permanent residents facing financial hardship remain fully eligible for both Ontario Works and ODSP, subject to the programs’ existing income and asset tests. ODSP recipients with a disability can still earn up to $1,000 per month through employment without losing eligibility for income support and benefits, and Ontario Works recipients continue to have access to caseworker support aimed at helping them find employment.

What Should Temporary Residents in Financial Hardship Do Instead?

For temporary residents who lose access to provincial assistance, the more relevant supports now sit at the federal level. Depending on the situation, that can include Employment Insurance for those with sufficient insurable hours, the federal Migrant Worker Support Program for workers facing an emergency, or status flexibility for temporary residents affected by circumstances outside their control, such as extended timelines to restore or extend status.

Anyone in this position should also confirm their status is not at risk before pursuing new employment or benefits. A change in eligibility for provincial assistance does not change your immigration status, but taking on unauthorized work or letting a permit lapse while sorting out finances can create separate, more serious problems. Speaking with a licensed consultant before making decisions under financial pressure is the safest way to avoid compounding a short-term hardship into a status issue.