Provincial or territorial service · Benefits and money
Apply for income assistance (welfare)
Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked
Short answer
If you cannot pay for food and shelter, your province or territory's income assistance program can help. In Ontario it is Ontario Works.
Who handles it
Each province and territory runs its own. Find yours in the table below.
Canada Service Map is independent and not a government website. The official page always has the final word.
Payment dates by province
Only where a province publishes its dates. Each one is paid by that province alone.
Ontario
Next payment:
Source: ontario.cachecked
British Columbia
Next payment:
Source: gov.bc.cachecked
Alberta
Next payment:
Source: alberta.cachecked
Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS)
Saskatchewan
Next payment:
Source: saskatchewan.cachecked
Manitoba Employment and Income Assistance (EIA)
Manitoba
Next payment:
Source: gov.mb.cachecked
Québec Social Assistance Program and Aim for Employment Program
Quebec
Next payment:
Source: quebec.cachecked
Nova Scotia
Next payment:
Source: novascotia.cachecked
In every province and territory
Who handles it in each province and territory, with the official link.
| Province or territory | Who handles it | Official link | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction | Apply for income assistancechecked | |
| Alberta | Alberta Supports, Income Support (Government of Alberta) | Apply for Income Supportchecked | |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Income Support (Ministry of Social Services) | Apply for income supportchecked | |
| Manitoba | Employment and Income Assistance (Manitoba Families) | How to applychecked | Apply by phone or in person; there is no online application. |
| Ontario | Ontario Works (Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, delivered by municipalities) | Apply for Ontario Workschecked | |
| Quebec | Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale (Services Québec) | Apply for financial assistancechecked | |
| New Brunswick | Department of Social Development | Social Assistance Programchecked | Start by calling 1-833-733-7835 for screening; an appointment follows to complete the application. |
| Nova Scotia | Employment Support and Income Assistance (Department of Opportunities and Social Development) | How to applychecked | Apply by phone at 1-877-424-1177 or at a local office; there is no online application. |
| Prince Edward Island | Social Assistance Program (Department of Social Development and Seniors, Government of PEI) | None on record | Call 1-877-569-0546 to be screened; eligible applicants then get an intake appointment. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Income Support, Department of Social Supports and Well-Being | How to applychecked | No online application; apply by phone at 1-877-729-7888 or by mail or fax. |
| Yukon | Social Assistance (Government of Yukon, Health and Social Services) | None on record | Start by phoning or visiting a social assistance office. |
| Northwest Territories | Income Security Programs, ECE Service Centres (Department of Education, Culture and Employment) | How to applychecked | Apply in person at your local ECE Service Centre, where a Client Navigator can help. |
| Nunavut | Income Assistance (Nunavut Department of Family Services) | Find your local officechecked | Apply in person with the Income Assistance worker in your community. |
Cite this page
Canada Service Map, "Apply for income assistance (welfare)", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/social-assistance