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Social support

Resources for seniors and vulnerable residents, access to food programs, and other services to support you during COVID-19.

Our communities have been deeply affected by COVID-19. During this time, we’re adapting Regional programs and services to meet the changing needs of our residents.

Beware of people contacting you by phone or at your door

Peel Public Health does not:

You should report a fraud to the Police non-emergency line.

The Canadian government is currently monitoring several scams.

Other information

Supporting Peel's most vulnerable residents during COVID-19. We're working with local community partners, agencies and the not-for-profit sector on planning, operations and service delivery. Learn more about the Community Response Table.

Emergency child care

In collaboration with the Ontario government, the Region of Peel is partnering with licensed child care providers to deliver free emergency child care for eligible health care and other essential workers.

Emergency child care centres are open across Peel. Some of these centres offer child care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to eligible parents with children who are 12 and under.

To learn more about eligibility and how to apply, visit child care for essential workers.

Other available child care options in Peel

If you do not qualify for emergency child care, some licensed home child care agencies in Peel are still open. For more information on available licensed home child care, visit infopeel.ca or call Child Development Resource Connection Peel (CDRCP) at 905-890-9432.

If you need financial support for licensed home child care, you might be eligible to apply for a child care fee subsidy.

Child care fee subsidy

If you're currently receiving a child care fee subsidy, during the closure period:

  • Your fee subsidy eligibility will continue.
  • If your child does not attend care for all or part of the closure period, these days will not count towards your 36 absence days per year.
  • For families paying a parental contribution, your child care program will advise you about whether you will be required to continue paying your parental contribution. Contact your child care provider for more information.

All appointments to discuss fee subsidy will be over the phone, so do not come into the office. If you have documents that you would like to drop off rather than mail or email, there are drop boxes located outside the entrances of our Regional buildings.

Families working in essential services, who are not eligible for emergency child care will be prioritized for placement in licensed home child care. To enroll in licensed home child care, contact your Children's Services Worker (CSW).

EarlyON Child and Family Centres

Due to COVID-19, all EarlyON centres are closed. Programs, including child development supports, are being offered online.

To learn more about:

Scheduled immunizations for children

During the COVID-19 pandemic it's still important to get your child immunized as outlined in the schedule. This will keep your child safe from diseases that can be prevented by immunization. Talk to your health care provider about booking an appointment and about ways to stay safe during the visit.

You'll need to be screened over the phone for COVID-19 before your appointment. Only 1 adult should come with the child to the appointment.

Clinics should use appropriate personal protective equipment during immunization.

Tenants and housing providers can access our housing and homelessness update to learn about the available services.

If you're at immediate risk of losing housing or are homeless call us at 905-453-1300.

Access a list of public access wireless (WiFi) spots in Peel.

If you've been exposed or are showing symptoms of COVID-19 and need to self-isolate, call the Street Helpline 1-877-848-8481. They can help you get access to testing and refer you to a safe place.

Get more information about available washroom, showers and drop-in centre locations.

Peel Living tenants

Visit affected services and facilities or up-to-date information about Peel Living during COVID-19.

Food banks and community food programs

Refer to the Peel Food Map to check the updated hours and for information on donations, through the Emergency Donation Centre.

Call 211 if you can't access the online food map. Food programs on the map include:

  • breakfast programs
  • community meal programs (soup kitchen)
  • food banks
  • food pantries
  • emergency donation centre

Food banks and community food programs are following Public Health's physical distancing guidelines to protect their guests, volunteers and staff.

Brampton residents

If you and your loved ones need immediate access to food, visit Brampton's Social Support Task Force page and complete the online form to request support.

Online grocery and delivery

While online grocery retailers are still operating, many are experiencing delivery delays and low stock of certain items. The following are a selection of available options:

Additional information for food banks and food program providers

Visit community spaces for information about safe food handling and food distribution.

Ontario Works program

During the COVID-19 crisis, current Ontario Works clients will continue to receive their scheduled payments. Clients can access Ontario Works COVID-19 key information from the Ontario government.

For current clients, appointments with your caseworker will take place over the phone, call 905-793-9200 if you live in Brampton or Mississauga. If you live in Caledon, call toll-free at 1-800-327-5379.

You can also access information about your OW case, report income, and change your address online. Register and access at ontario.ca/MyBenefits

You can apply for financial assistance online. Learn more about Ontario Works.

Extended discretionary emergency benefits

Available to Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients. If you require assistance with costs of additional expenses, contact your OW caseworker or ODSP caseworker.

Additional help

The Canadian government is also providing support in several areas including, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (available in early April), Canada Child Benefit, GST credits, mortgage support, student loan relief and employment insurance.

If you don't currently qualify for emergency financial support through Canada's emergency care package, you can apply for help to cover food, rent, medicine, transportation and other services by completing an online application.

Learn more about Canada and Ontario response plans.

We're recommending that all residents stay home and only leave the house once a week for essentials like groceries, medicines and medical appointments.

If you're over the age of 70 you should stay home and rely on family and social supports as much as possible for essential needs. Learn more about how to protect yourself.

Meal delivery
Seniors-only shopping hours

Many grocery stores and pharmacies across Peel are offering special hours just for seniors to shop. Check with your local store for times and details about seniors discounts.

If you live in Brampton and have no one to assist you with medication pickup, call 311 or email COVID19senior@brampton.ca

Free grocery delivery
Help with groceries, medication and other errands

Volunteers from the City of Brampton Senior Support Task Force are available to support you. You can sign up online for assistance. You will need to be able to pay for groceries or medications online.

The Regional Community Response Table is working with community partners on other resources to support you.

Transportation

Although public transit is essential, service may be affected. View the following for up-to-date information.

Local Health Integration Network Home and Care Community
Resources
Support for everyone
  • Wellness Together Canada
    A portal dedicated to mental wellness. It connects Canadians to peer support workers, social workers, psychologists and other professionals for confidential chat sessions and phone calls. Supported by the Canadian government and other partner organizations.
  • Big White Wall
    An anonymous, online peer-to-peer support community providing support for anxiety, depression, and other common mental wellbeing issues.
  • Canadian Mental Health Association – Peel Dufferin Branch
    A pioneer in providing a variety of mental health services including crisis support and counselling.
  • Check Up From The Neck Up
    A private, online check-up that connects people with mental health resources and help.
  • ConnexOntario
    Free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, mental illness or gambling.
  • eMentalHealth.ca
    Anonymous, trustworthy information about mental health and where to find help.
  • Veterans Affairs OSI (Operational Stress Injuries) Connect app
    A free mental health learning and self-management app developed to provide help through the OSI Clinic Network.
Support for adults and youth

Bounce Back
Help for managing low mood, mild-to-moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry for anyone aged 15 or over. Delivered over the phone with a coach and through online videos.

Support for youth

Mindyourmind
Mental health resources and advice for youth aged 14-29.

Supporting and helping kids

Kids Help Phone
Professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support for young people. Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.

Additional support

During this challenging time you may find support from your place of worship or faith community. Many are offering live streaming of services, visit your local place of worship online to see what support and services they may be offering.