Emergency financial assistance in Canada

In Canada, emergency help for people on low incomes is split between the federal government, the provinces and territories, municipalities and a dense network of charities. That can make it hard to know where to turn when the rent is short or the heat is about to be cut off. The good news is that much of this help is a grant or a benefit, not a loan, and none of it requires a good credit score.

This page covers help you do not have to pay back. If you are comparing borrowing options, our guide to loans for low-income households in Canada deals with credit unions, payday loan rules and credit reports.

Provincial and territorial social assistance

Income assistance, often called welfare or social assistance, is run by each province and territory, so names and rules differ. Ontario has Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program; British Columbia has Income Assistance and Disability Assistance; Quebec has its social assistance and social solidarity programs; other provinces have their own equivalents.

Beyond the monthly amount, most programs can provide emergency or crisis help in specific situations: a one-time payment towards an essential need, emergency shelter costs, a utility arrears payment, or help if you are fleeing abuse. You can usually apply for emergency assistance even if you are not already a client, as long as you meet the income and asset rules.

How to ask

• Contact your provincial or territorial social services office, or apply online where available.
• Explain the emergency clearly: the amount, the deadline and what happens if it is not paid.
• Ask directly whether a crisis supplement, hardship payment or emergency allowance exists for your situation.
• If you are refused, ask for the decision in writing and how to request a review or appeal.

Federal benefits you may be missing

Many federal benefits are paid through the tax system. If you have not filed your tax return, you may be missing money you are entitled to, even with little or no income. Free tax clinics run by volunteers through the Canada Revenue Agency's community program help people with modest incomes file for free.

• Canada Child Benefit: a monthly tax-free payment to families with children under 18, higher for lower incomes.
• GST/HST credit: a quarterly payment for individuals and families with low and modest incomes.
• Canada Workers Benefit: a refundable tax credit for low-income workers.
• Employment Insurance: if you lost your job or hours, or cannot work because of illness or caregiving, apply quickly, because delays can reduce what you receive.
• Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement: for seniors, with the supplement aimed at those with low incomes.

The Government of Canada's benefits finder on Canada.ca can help you see what applies to you.

Help with rent, heat and utilities

Housing costs are the most common emergency. Depending on where you live, look for:

• Rent banks: in many Ontario municipalities and some other cities, a rent bank can help with arrears to prevent eviction, sometimes as a grant and sometimes as an interest-free loan.
• Utility emergency programs: in Ontario, the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) can help with overdue electricity or gas bills; other provinces and utilities run their own hardship or arrears programs.
• Housing allowances and rent supplements: offered by provinces and municipalities to reduce the gap between income and rent.
• Municipal emergency funds: some cities provide one-time help for essentials, moving costs or a damage deposit for people on low incomes.

Call your utility company before the disconnection date and ask about payment arrangements and hardship programs. Many provinces also have rules limiting winter disconnections. Our page on help with overdue rent explains how to talk to a landlord about arrears.

Charities, food banks and 211

Dialling or texting 211, or visiting the 211 website, connects you with community, social and government services in most of Canada. It is free and confidential, and it is often the fastest way to find out who is giving emergency help in your area this week.

Food banks, many of them members of Food Banks Canada, provide groceries and sometimes hygiene and baby items. The Salvation Army, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, community health centres and local churches, mosques, temples and gurdwaras often run emergency funds, clothing banks or meal programs. Indigenous friendship centres can help First Nations, Inuit and Métis people find culturally appropriate support.

Free credit counselling and debt advice

If the emergency comes on top of debts you are already struggling with, speak to a non-profit credit counselling agency before you borrow again. Members of Credit Counselling Canada offer free budget reviews and advice and can arrange a debt management plan with creditors. A licensed insolvency trustee can explain formal options such as a consumer proposal; the first consultation is normally free.

Taking a high-cost loan to cover an emergency when your budget is already stretched usually makes the next month harder. Our page on debt hardship assistance describes what an adviser can negotiate.

Checklist for the first 48 hours

1. Call 211 to find emergency help near you.
2. Contact your provincial social assistance office and ask about a crisis payment.
3. Call your landlord or utility before the deadline and ask for a payment arrangement.
4. Visit a food bank to free up money for rent or bills.
5. Check that your taxes are filed so federal benefits keep coming.
6. Book a free credit counselling appointment if debts are part of the problem.

Keep copies of your ID, recent bank statements, benefit letters, your lease and the overdue bill ready: most services will ask for them.

Avoid scams aimed at people in need

Fraudsters impersonate the Canada Revenue Agency, Service Canada and even charities. Be suspicious of anyone who demands payment by gift card, cryptocurrency or wire transfer, threatens arrest, or promises a "government grant" if you pay a processing fee first. Government benefits and charity help are free to apply for. If in doubt, hang up and call the organisation back using the number on its official website.