Social assistance
Deemed income
Income a program treats you as having even if you did not receive it, for example, room and board from family or deemed returns on assets.
Deemed income can reduce assistance even when your actual cash income is low.
Benefits glossary
Canadian benefits glossary
Government benefits, tax, disability and drug-coverage terms explained in plain language.
Definitions are educational. Official program rules still apply.
Topics and A–ZSocial assistance
6 matching terms
Reset filtersSocial assistance
Earned income exemption
The amount of employment or self-employment income you can keep before a benefit is reduced dollar-for-dollar.
Exemptions encourage work but vary, report earnings exactly as your program requires.
Social assistance
Income reporting (assistance)
The requirement to tell your caseworker about earnings, gifts, or household changes so benefits stay accurate.
Failure to report can cause overpayments and penalties even if the underpayment was unintentional.
Social assistance
Liquid assets
Cash and assets you can quickly convert to cash, such as bank balances and some investments, counted in many assistance programs.
Exceeding asset limits can disqualify you even with low monthly income.
Social assistance
Ontario Works (OW)
Ontario's financial assistance program for people in temporary financial need, with employment participation requirements.
Social assistance
Social assistance
Provincial or territorial income support for people with little or no money for basic needs, with strict asset and earnings rules.
Often the last-resort income program, other benefits may reduce assistance dollar-for-dollar.
Related tools and guides
Use these MyEligible tools to explore programs after you understand a term.
Sources and methodology
Definitions explain common government and program language in plain words. They are starting points for understanding, not legal advice or official eligibility decisions. Confirm important details with the official program, CRA, Service Canada, or a qualified professional.
Glossary reviewed September 13, 2026