“Sometimes if I didn’t have the money for groceries, I wouldn’t eat for two days,”
Lenard Monkman, Teghan Beaudette (2018). “Aging out: First Nations youth navigates life on his own after growing up in foster care” online: CBC News
“Under the current system, some young people who leave care are eligible for financial assistance until age 21 and other supports until 24. Still, advocates who have been calling for a readiness-based model say those supports haven’t been close to enough.”
King, Angelina, (2021) “Ontario changing child-welfare system to stop teens from aging out of care unprepared” online: CBC News
Help for Income Support
https://stepstojustice.ca/legal-topic/income-assistance/
This website provides legal information about a lot of important things, including financial support. It’s a good place to start if you are unsure about next steps or have a problem when applying for financial support.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/socialassistance?_ga=2.185298985.1239732685.1616427719-566094327.1616427719#section-1
This resource provides guidance for those interested in applying for OW or ODSP.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/audience/indigenous.html
This site provides information about benefits and programs for Indigenous people. Many of the linked resources are tailored for Indigenous youth seeking financial support or financial assistance with education. You can check here to see if any of the linked resources are useful for you.
https://www.legalaid.on.ca/services/legal-clinics/
Legal clinics across the province can help you access Ontario Works or ODSP or appeal the decision if you were denied benefits.
We want to help people aging out by providing a measure of dignity and support that communicates that we see them.
