Free financial counselling for low-income individuals.
Quick facts
Service type: Financial Empowerment
Eligibility: Toronto residents living on low incomes and facing financial challenges. This includes (but is not limited to): older adults, newcomers to Canada, students, individuals with disabilities and individuals who are unemployed.
Delivery: In-person and/or by phone
Fee: Free
Program dates: Year-round
Program description
Free counselling for low-income clients, including those with trouble accessing government benefits and/or banking services, money management issues or general financial questions. Clients meet one-on-one with registered social workers who specialize in financial counselling.
WoodGreen’s Financial Empowerment team can help with:
Accessing and restoring government benefits
Debt management
Savings tools and options
Banking
Budgeting
Improving credit
Financial Foundations
Supporting Resources
Debt Management Guide
To learn more about debt management download this resource below.
"I feel I’m back in control. I can see the future now. I don’t feel so hopeless.”
Anonymous
Client
“I found WoodGreen’s financial counsellor to be very supportive, caring, knowledgeable and efficient. I can now look forward to a better financial future because of the help received from this program.”
How you can support
Every gift makes a lasting difference in our community
-United Way Greater Toronto’s Allan Slaight Seniors Fund
-The Sprott Foundation
-IRCC
-Prosper Canada – Ontario Financial Empowerment Champions project partner
-The Ontario Financial Empowerment Champions project is funded by the Government of Ontario
Related programs
Online
In person
Income Tax Clinic
WoodGreen offers a free year-round tax clinic for low-income individuals and households. Our team can assist with preparing simple tax returns and up to 10 years of back taxes, Notices of Assessment and other tax related matters.
Contact information: (416) 645-6000 ext. 1187
Toronto residents living on low incomes with simple tax returns
The Scotiabank Family Finance Clinic is a free three-month program providing one-on-one financial counselling. Participating families are supported to create and achieve realistic financial goals and build strong money management skills.
Contact information: (416) 645-6000 ext. 1922
Toronto families (parents and caregivers) living on a lower income
WoodGreen’s Income Transition Project offers free 1-on-1 counselling to support Ontario Works (OW) recipients to better understand the financial process of transitioning from OW to employment.
In person, virtually, over the phone
Registration is not open to the general public at this time
We deliver free presentations to community groups on a range of financial topics, including money management, income tax benefits and credits, low-income retirement planning and more. Workshops can be customized to suit an organization’s needs and interests.
Contact information: (416) 645-6000 ext. 1330
Toronto residents living on low incomes and facing financial challenges
