The Emergency Benefit is a one-time discretionary benefit that is intended to provide emergency financial support to social assistance recipients for special services, items or payments, at the discretion of the caseworker, to address health and safety issues related to COVID-19.

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services announced Emergency Assistance supports offered through Ontario Works for Ontarians who are in a crisis or facing an unexpected emergency and are unable to meet basic living expenses due to COVID-19.