Toronto Hardship Fund: help paying for eyeglasses, medical items, emergency dental work and medication
Toronto Hardship Fund: help paying for eyeglasses, medical items, emergency dental work and medication is a free program run by the City of Toronto for low-income Toronto residents. Checked on the official page on October 8, 2026.
You likely qualify if: Live in Toronto; Low income; On Ontario Works or ODSP: ask your caseworker.
Call 416-338-8888Send to someone who needs thisChecked on October 8, 2026 on the official page
We last read this on October 8, 2026. That was a while ago, so please check their own website before you rely on it, and tell us below if something changed.
The City of Toronto may pay for medically based items and services such as eyeglasses, emergency dental work, medication, walkers, hearing aids, hospital beds or funeral costs.
Who qualifies
Low-income Toronto residents. If you are not on Ontario Works, Emergency Assistance or ODSP, apply to the Hardship Fund; if you are, ask your caseworker for the same items.
You likely qualify if:
- Live in Toronto
- Low income
- On Ontario Works or ODSP: ask your caseworker
How to apply
- Application Support Centre phone (option 3): 416-338-8888
- Come back here and tell us if it worked.
Where else they are
Their website is toronto.ca/.../hardship-fund.
Good to know
- CostFree
- LanguagesEnglish
- Their stepsNot on Ontario Works or ODSP: call 416-338-8888 and choose option 3. On Ontario Works or ODSP: talk to your caseworker. Have a prescription or assessment and a cost estimate for the item. Apply before you pay, or you may not be paid back.
Did this way in answer?
Talk to a person: call 2-1-1, any time
Something wrong? Tell us
What to bring
- Your financial information
- A prescription or assessment, and a cost estimate
Dates
The official page we read gives no date. Check it before you apply.
Something wrong? Tell us
We read all of this on their own website. If something has changed, tell us here. It takes 20 seconds, needs no account, and nothing is deleted: the old fact stays until a person checks yours.