COVID-19 Information and Updates

Public Buildings

The Grey County Administration Building,  Ontario Works satellite offices, and the EarlyON Child and Family Centre are temporarily closed to the public.  

Many program applications and services can be accessed online or over the phone.  

• Housing assistance call 519‑376‑5744.
• Ontario Works social assistance, call 519-376-7112.
• Administrative matters, please email clerks@grey.ca.
• All other needs, residents can call 2-1-1 (1-888-340-1001).

Visitor Restrictions at Long-Term Care Homes

Grey County Long-Term Care, in consultation with the Grey Bruce Health Unit, are following Ministry directions to enhance infection control measures in our homes to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Essential visitors are permitted in County homes (Grey Gables in Markdale, Rockwood Terrace in Durham, and Lee Manor in Owen Sound). The ministry is identifying essential visitors as those who have a resident who is dying or very ill.  

Outdoor, Electronic and Window Visits are available by contacting the home, or by using the online booking form for Grey Gables, Lee Manor or Rockwood Terrace. 

Designated Care Partners are permitted provided there is no outbreak in the home. A Designated Care Partner is more than a visitor; they support the health and wellbeing of a resident. To learn more, contact your resident's home. 

Grey County continues to follow all other guidelines for visitation and absence, as regulated by the Ministry. 

Licensed Child Care

Grey County is following Provincial directions and is supporting licensed child care centres and home child care providers who are currently operating or looking to reopen. We ask families for their patience and understanding as operators take the necessary steps to reopen safely. 

EarlyON Child and Family Centres Closed

EarlyON Child and Family Centres are operating with continued virtual programing. You can find updates, activities and resources for each location on their Facebook pages found on the EarlyOn Calendar page.

Provincial Offences Court Closure

Provincial Offences is currently closed until further notice. All matters will be heard by Zoom. Please call 519-376-3470 for the Zoom details for your court date. Remote ticket payment is still available.

For further information please call our office at 519-376-3470. 

Grey Roots is temporarily closed to the public. When it reopens, visitors will be welcomed for limited-time blocks, which can be reserved in advance. Visitors will be required to self-screen on entry and face coverings are required inside buildings. 

See more here: greyroots.com

The eligibility criteria for Emergency Assistance has been expanded.  It is available for those facing a crisis or emergency who have no immediate access to other supports. This assistance can be a bridge for those who are waiting for COVID-19 supports from the federal government (CERB, EI) and is temporary in nature. Emergency Assistance rates are based on provincial Ontario Works rates. 

To apply for this benefit, please contact your local office at the numbers provided above. You can also apply through the Emergency Assistance Online application.

Basic financial assistance may be available to assist with costs of basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter including health benefits and employment assistance for eligible individuals/families. More information about Ontario Works along with assistance rates can be found at Ontario Works Eligibility.

To apply for this benefit, please contact your local office at the numbers provided above. A complete online application is also available at Social Assistance Online.

A New Emergency Benefit is available to meet extraordinary costs during the COVID-19 crisis for individuals/families currently in receipt of OW/ODSP.  Recipients are asked to contact their caseworker if extra support is needed.  Examples of valid expenses include:

• Cleaning supplies for those diagnosed with COVID-19 or a family member who has been diagnosed
• Delivery or travel costs for food or other essential supplies for recipients or families who are self-isolating

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit has closed (federal government’s website). 

The Government of Canada announced changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) program and new recovery benefits. 

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)

The Canada Recovery Benefit will provide eligible workers with $500 per week (taxable, tax deducted at source) for up to 26 weeks for those who have stopped working and who are not eligible for EI, or had their employment/self-employment income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19. This benefit will be paid in two-week periods.

Learn more about the Canada Recovery Benefit

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)

The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) will provide $500 per week (taxable, tax deducted at source) for up to 26 weeks per household for workers unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they must care for a child under the age of 12 or family member because schools, day-cares or care facilities are closed due to COVID-19, or because the child or family member is sick and/or required to quarantine or is at high risk of serious health implications because of COVID-19. This benefit will be paid in one-week periods.

Learn more about the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)

The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) will provide $500 per week (taxable, tax deducted at source) for up to a maximum of two weeks, for workers who are unable to work for at least 50% of the week because they contracted COVID-19, self-isolated for reasons related to COVID-19, or have underlying conditions, are undergoing treatments or have contracted other sicknesses that, in the opinion of a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, person in authority, government or public health authority, would make them more susceptible to COVID-19. This benefit will be paid in one-week periods.

Learn more about the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit

Full Details

Eligibility

Applicants will be required to meet both financial and disability eligibility criteria (total process including the medical adjudication can take up to approximately 3 months).

How to Apply – Intake Application

Applications are taken by phone or on-line at: Social Assistance Online

If you contact us via telephone (519-376-1951) you will be called back to complete the application over the telephone and required to verify: * your personal information * information about members of your household * your household’s housing costs and other shelter-related costs * your household’s income and assets.

ODSP Emergency Benefit

A New Emergency Benefit is available one time to meet extraordinary costs during the COVID-19 crisis for individuals/families currently in receipt of OW/ODSP.  Recipients are asked to contact their caseworker if extra support is needed.  Examples of valid expenses include:

• Cleaning supplies for those diagnosed with COVID-19 or a family member who has been diagnosed.
• Delivery or travel costs for food or other essential supplies for recipients or families who are self-isolating.
• Additional costs for food as a result of food scarcity (e.g., not having access to lower cost staples).

Hours of operation: In effort to serve while protecting both clients and staff throughout the management of COVID 19, our office hours have been currently reduced to 10am to 2pm providing in office service for exceptional or extenuating circumstances only, and we kindly request that clients contact our office via telephone at 519-376-1951 to determine how we can best meet their needs or answer important questions. Please be advised that we will contact clients directly if there is a requirement to attend our office as most of the work can be accommodated and completed via email, FAX, phone or the mail.

Mail Drop Box: We have a labelled mail drop box that is located outside the front main door of Service Ontario accessible 24 hours a day for clients to leave required documents.

Email or FAX information: All clients can submit documentation or any changes to: income, accommodation/address or banking information to the following generic email address and their information will be forwarded to their caseworkers.  

Email: adminowensoundodsp@ontario.ca    Fax:  519-376-4544

Municipal COVID-19 Resources

City of Owen Sound   Municipality of Grey Highlands   Municipality of Meaford    

Municipality of West Grey   Town of Hanover   Town of the Blue Mountains   

Township of Chatsworth   Township of Georgian Bluffs   Township of Southgate

211 Community Resources

211 Ontario is your primary source of information on government and community-based social services. Services offered to respond to COVID-19 include live online chat, a comprehensive website, and phone support. Find them all here. 

Community and Food-Related Resources

The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force has links to information about community food services and updates to services and hours of operations at local food retailers. Click here for Community Food Resources

Resources for Newcomers

Instructions from United Way Bruce Grey on how to use google to translate into any language, and links to specific supports for newcomers.

Want to help Grey County Thrive? You can start by supporting locally owned businesses. 

Yes, I want to Rediscover Grey

Do you have skills and time to share? Add your name to the list at TheDo to be matched to tasks and people in the community. 

TheDo website

Ontario is accepting donations of Personal Protective Equipment for redistribution. 

Register your donations here