| Ontario Works | Effective Date: March 1, 2022 |
| Topic: Income and Exemptions | Replaces: July 1, 2009 |
| Subject: Treatment of Payments | Policy No. H.5.2. |
Authority OW Art: Sec. 7(3) & OW Directives: Dir. 5.7
See Directive listed above.
Gifts and voluntary payments are exempt as income up to a maximum of $10,000 over a 12- month period per member of the benefit unit.
In addition to the $10,000 exemption, gifts and voluntary payments used for the following purposes are exempt as income:
• The purchase of a primary residence;
• The purchase of an exempt motor vehicle;
• To pay first and last month’s rent to secure accommodations for the benefit unit.
These payments are also exempt as assets, provided they are used as soon as practicable (i.e. 12 months for a principal residence and 6 months for a motor vehicle or rent). The Administrator has discretion to allow for a longer expenditure duration for these payments, if circumstances permit.