Basic Needs Guide

Money Issues

Running out of money is a frustrating and stressful experience. If you find yourself out of work you can contact the Service Canada office to see if you qualify for Employment Insurance. If you don’t qualify, you may want to apply for social assistance (also called Ontario Works) by contacting the Waterloo Region Social Services Department.

If you are a senior, you could check the financial assistance programs that are available specifically for seniors.

You can also explore this guide to find ways to keep your costs down or to increase your educational and employment opportunities.

During times of financial strain it can be tempting to use credit to cover your basic needs. Unfortunately, this strategy sometimes gets you trapped in a circle of paying one credit card with another. How do you decide which bill to pay when they are all past due? Credit counselling may be helpful to you and is available through the Catholic Family Counselling Centre in Kitchener. They will help you with debt consolidation, negotiations with creditors, and getting the most out of your money.

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Basic Needs Guide: Basic Needs

Resources

Canada. Department of Social Development, Income Security Programs, Old Age Security

409 Weber St W, Kitchener
phone: 1-800-277-9914, 1-800-277-9915 (French)

Canada. Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Canada Pension Plan, Death Benefit

409 Weber St W, Kitchener
phone: 1-800-277-9914, 1-800-277-9915 (French)

Canada. Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Canada Pension Plan, Disability Benefits

409 Weber St W, Kitchener
phone: 1-800-277-9914, 1-800-277-9915 (French)

Canada. Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Canada Pension Plan, Retirement Pension

409 Weber St W, Kitchener
phone: 1-800-277-9914, 1-800-277-9915 (French)

Canada. Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Canada Pension Plan, Survivor Benefits

409 Weber St W, Kitchener
phone: 1-800-277-9914, 1-800-277-9915 (French)

Canada. Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Employment and Insurance Services

409 Weber St W, Kitchener
phone: 1-800-206-7218 (Employment Insurance), 579-1550

Canada. Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Employment and Insurance Services

Cambridge Place, 73 Water St N, Cambridge
phone: 621-7150 (Employment Centre), 1-800-206-7218 (Employment Insurance)

Catholic Family Counselling Centre, Region of Waterloo, Credit Counselling Services

400 Queen St S, Kitchener
phone: 743-6333 ~ 1-800-743-4140

Ontario. Ministry of Community and Social Services, Ontario Disability Support Program

Cambridge Place, 73 Water St N, Ste 605, Cambridge
phone: 623-1230, 1-888-214-0738

Ontario. Ministry of Community and Social Services, Ontario Disability Support Program

385 Fairway Rd S, Ste 200B, 2nd Flr, Kitchener
phone: 886-4700, 1-800-441-9820

Waterloo Region Community Legal Services

170 Victoria St S, Kitchener
phone: 743-0254

Waterloo Region Community Legal Services

Cambridge Self Help Food Bank, 54 Ainslie St S, Cambridge
phone: 743-0254

Waterloo Region. Social Services Department, Employment and Income Support, Ontario Works

99 Regina St S, 2nd Flr, Waterloo
phone: 883-2100, 883-2010 (caseworkers)
crisis: 883-2230 (after hours)