No Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) for Individuals Lacking Legal Status.

August 13, 2026, Toronto – The Ontario government announced today a significant change in the rules governing the province’s social assistance programs. This new move will deny monetary benefits to individuals without legal immigration status in Canada, specifically targeting those not recognized as citizens or permanent residents.

This decision follows a recent ruling by the Ontario Social Benefits Tribunal, which determined that a man who came to Canada decades ago on a temporary work permit was eligible for Ontario Works social assistance.

In response to the ruling, Premier Doug Ford posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Our government will always support people in hard times—but that support does not extend to individuals living in Canada illegally. If provincial regulations need to be modified to make this clear, we will make those changes.”

The newly implemented regulations will take effect immediately.

Under these new rules, individuals in Canada illegally, along with those temporarily authorized to remain in the country (such as those on student visas, work permits, or visiting), will no longer qualify for social assistance.

Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, stated that while the government remains committed to helping those in need, taxpayer-funded social assistance should not go to individuals residing in Canada without legal status.

“These changes will safeguard taxpayer dollars and ensure that these programs serve their intended beneficiaries. As a result, applicants for social assistance programs will now be required to demonstrate their citizenship or immigration status,” he added.

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