Toronto’s Welcome Policy is a city-based program that pays for fitness and recreational programs. Available to vulnerable households, the city offers an annual payment to all members of a household that can be used for any qualifying city based program.
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How the Welcome Policy Works
If your household is approved for the program, each children and youth (those under 25 years old) are eligible for a $571 benefit, and each adult is eligible for a $264 benefit. These benefits can then be used to pay for any qualifying fitness and recreation program in the City of Toronto.
Benefits are allocated to each individual and expire after a 12-month period.
Who Is Eligible for Toronto’s Welcome Policy?
The aim of this program is to aid low-income households, so the main qualifier is your household’s combined before-tax income. Individuals that apply must be 18 years of age or older, and Toronto residents.
Individuals that are on social assistance are automatically eligible and can speak with their caseworker to enroll.
The following are the maximum combined household earnings to qualify for the Welcome Policy
Using the above example, if you are a two-parent household with two children, then your maximum household qualifying earnings is $47,084 and you’ll receive a total of $1,670 in 2020.
Applying to the Welcome Policy
To apply, you will need to submit an application that can be retrieved from; the City of Toronto’s website, by phoning 416-338-2000, or by visiting a Toronto recreational centre. The application form must be filled out, attached with proof of income, copies of identification for all household members, copy of proof of address, and delivered to either; a Toronto Employment and Social Service office, dropped off at a Civic Centre, faxed to 416-338-5046, or mailed to the below address.
City of Toronto,
Welcome Policy Application,
55 John Street – Mail Room
Toronto, Ontario M5V 3C6
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