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:
- Ask for credit card or health card information in communicating COVID-19 test results.
- Sell or deliver COVID-19 test kits or Personal Protection Equipment such as gowns and surgical masks.
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.
The Ontario government has allowed licensed child care centres to reopen. Child care providers will need to meet health and safety guidelines before reopening.
We're working with licensed child care providers on the reopening of child care as guided by the Ministry of Education and Peel Public Health, to keep children, families and child care workers safe.
Learn more about the reopening of child care centres.
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:
- Online programs at EarlyON Child and Family Centres including story time, music time and more, visit infopeel.ca.
- Child development supports available, connect with an EarlyON Resource Consultant at 905-795-3527, extension 3550.
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:
- Cartly.ca Indian and Pakistani Groceries online
- Chambers Food Service delivering fresh Canadian fish and meats
- Costco offers delivery of grocery and household products
- Fresh City Farms delivers produce, prepared meals or meal kits
- Grocery Gateway delivery service offered through Longo's
- Instacart delivers groceries from major retail stores
- M&M Food Market offers online grocery delivery
- Mr. Case delivers grocery items by the case or individually
- The Real Canadian Superstore online grocery delivery
- Walmart offers grocery delivery to your home
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
- Meals on Wheels
- Brampton
- Caledon (for Caledon and Orangeville area)
- Mississauga
- Free Meal Help for seniors and families in need in the Brampton area.
- Langar Seva Meal and Support Services offering cooked meals and check-in telephone calls to relieve loneliness for isolated individuals.
- Langar on Wheels program offered by Punjabi Community Health Services.
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
- Grocery and medication pick up and delivery offered by City of Brampton
- Food Bank 2 Home delivery service offered by Mississauga Food Bank for seniors aged 65+
- Food delivery for Seniors aged 60+ offered by Sai Dham Food Bank
- Good Neighbour Mobile offered by Knights Table
- Good Neighbour Project GTA offering grocery and supplies delivery for seniors and adults with disabilities during COVID-19
- Supplies and Grocery delivery service offered by MISK Islamic Society of Canada
- Roots Community Services offering help with grocery and medication pickup.
- Solel Synagogue volunteers available to pick up and deliver groceries and medicine
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
- Central West (Brampton, Malton, Caledon) 905-796-0040
- Mississauga Halton 905-855-9090
Resources
- Help for Mom provides caregiver support over the phone.
- Roots Community Services – offering telephone check-in program to reach out to seniors who may be isolated. Also resources available to help with grocery and medication pick up.
- Punjabi Community Health Services is offering services over the phone.
- Bereaved Families of Ontario – Halton/Peel – provide support to seniors who have lost a loved one and are having difficulty coping with their grief.
- COSTI immigrant and employment services continues to be available to provide services by phone, video-conferencing, and email.
- Indus Community Services providing client support to newcomers, families, women, and seniors
- Alzheimer Society Peel is offering counselling over the phone and through video sessions. They are also offering online education sessions. Get details about the April and May sessions (PDF).
- The CNIB Foundation has expanded their virtual program offering for Canadians impacted by blindness.
- Malton Neighbourhood Services is offering limited services over the phone.
- Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services: is offering over the phone or LiveChat.
- Caledon Community Services is offering modified services.
Support for everyone
- Wellness Together Canada
A portal dedicated to mental wellness. It connects Canadians to peer support workers, social workers, psychologists and otherprofessionals for confidential chat sessions and phone calls. Supported by theCanadian 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.
