Assistance and Support

Program overview

The City of Oshawa is a proud partner of Canadian Tire Jumpstart. Jumpstart helps children overcome financial and accessibility barriers to sport and recreation to provide inclusive play for children of all abilities.

Jumpstart offers individual child grants for families that meet specific criteria including:

• Financial criteria as per Revenue Canada's Low-Income Cut-Offs Chart (L.I.C.O.).
• Program participants are between the ages of four and 18 years.
• The program is a sustained program that involves a sport or physical activity.
• Programs are a minimum of five weeks and include at least one session per week. Sports camps must last at least five consecutive days.

Visit the Canadian Tire Jumpstart website for more information, or apply for Jumpstart funding online.

City of Oshawa program registration with Jumpstart funding

You have two options to register for a recreation or sports program with the City of Oshawa using Jumpstart funding.

1. Option one
   You pay the full program fee at the time of registration and then complete your Jumpstart application to be reimbursed. Once approved, we will receive the approved funding and contact you with steps to collect your refund. Refunds go back to the original method of payment including the debit or credit card used at the time of registration, cheques for payments made by cash, cheques, or where the original debit or credit card is no longer valid.
2. Option two
   Complete your Jumpstart application. We will receive your approved funding, add it to your activeOshawa account as a credit, and then contact you to advise your funding has been received. You can then visit a recreation facility to complete your program registration using the credit on your account. Unused credits at the end of the calendar year will be returned to Jumpstart.

Durham Region recreation program cards

Oshawa residents who are recipients of Ontario Works can participate in recreation programs and services through this program. If you receive Ontario Works, speak with your case worker to request a Recreation Program Card. Visit the Durham Region Social Services website or contact 905-666-6239 for more information.

Durham Region child care fee subsidy

The Region of Durham offers a Child Care Fee Subsidy that assists qualifying families with financial assistance towards program fees for City of Oshawa Holiday Camps, March Break Camps and Summer Camps.

Applications for this subsidy are coordinated by Durham Region. To get started, visit the Region's Child Care Fee Help (Subsidy) website. Once approved, your assigned caseworker will communicate directly with us to complete your camp registration.

Depending on your annual family income, the Durham Region Child Care Fee Subsidy may cover the entire camp cost or a portion of it. An applicable parent fee, as determined by the Region of Durham, will be charged to you and must be paid to the City of Oshawa before finalizing your program registration.

If you are an Oshawa resident who has already been approved for the Region's Child Care Fee Subsidy, speak with your caseworker about applying the subsidy to one of our camp programs.

Recreation discounts for Oshawa seniors

The City of Oshawa recently adjusted the senior age requirement, lowering the minimum senior age from 65 to 55 years old.

Residents 55 years of age and older, living in or paying property taxes in Oshawa, now qualify for discounted rates on City recreation programs, fitness memberships and admission fees for recreation facilities.

The Oshawa Resident 55+ discount includes:

• A 35 per cent discount on activeOshawa registered programs (some exclusions may apply)
• Discounted rates on fitness memberships
• Discounted admission fees on City fitness centres, leisure swimming, leisure skating and drop-in sports

Please note: The Oshawa Resident 55+ discount cannot be combined with any other discounts.

Get the Oshawa Resident 55+ discount

To take advantage of the Oshawa Resident 55+ discount, visit a City of Oshawa recreation facility and present proof of your age and residency using government-issued identification. If you do not reside in Oshawa but pay property taxes, you still qualify for this discount. Present both your most recent tax bill and government-issued identification that shows you meet the 55+ age requirement.

Please note proof of age and residency is required each time the Oshawa Resident 55+ discount is requested for a registered program, membership or leisure admission.

Program overview

If you are an Oshawa resident with a permanent disability, you may be eligible for the Recreation Access Membership Program (R.A.M.P.).

Program eligibility

Oshawa residents may qualify for automatic enrollment in this program if they receive:

• Ontario Disability Support Program (O.D.S.P.)
• Canadian Pension Plan (C.P.P.) Disability Support

Or if they have a:

• Canadian National Institute for the Blind (C.N.I.B.) Card
• Access 2 Entertainment Card
• Disability Travel Card

If you do not have one of the above-mentioned verification methods, you can complete the R.A.M.P. application form providing two professional references. Professional references must confirm:

• you have a permanent disability
• the disability restricts you from performing activities within the range considered normal
• the disability cannot be eliminated by the use of a technical aid

If you are a caregiver accompanying a participant for supportive purposes, you may do so at no extra cost. Caregivers who wish to take part fully in a program or amenities in a facility are required to pay applicable program or admission fees.

Program benefits

Single adult or youth R.A.M.P. benefits

• A free annual Level 1 Swim, Skate and Walk Membership.
• A 35% discount on admission fees for fitness centres.
• A 35% discount on a Level 2 Fitness Centre or All Inclusive Membership.
• A 35% discount on program fees for recreation and culture programs. Certain exceptions apply.

Family R.A.M.P benefits

If a primary caregiver for a family qualifies for the R.A.M.P. through O.D.S.P any spouse or child, 17 years of age and younger, living at the same address can access the same R.A.M.P. benefits. 

Application forms

Applications for R.A.M.P. can be submitted online or dropped off at a recreation facility.
 Submit an online R.A.M.P. application form
Complete a paper R.A.M.P. Adult/Youth application form or R.A.M.P. Family application form. Forms are also available at recreation facilities.

Please note it could take up to two weeks before you hear back on the status of your application when determining eligibility via a professional reference check.

Program Overview

The City of Oshawa believes that all Oshawa community members should have the ability to take part and enjoy recreation facilities, programs, and services despite financial circumstances.

The Recreation Fee Assistance Program may be able to provide you, and your family, with financial assistance towards fees for programs and services dependent on your annual family income.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Recreation Fee Assistance Program you must:

• Live in Oshawa. Proof of residency is required at the time of application through a recent utility bill, lease agreement, or government-issued identification.
• Have an annual gross family income not exceeding 25% above the Low-Income Cut-Offs Chart (L.I.C.O.) threshold.
  •  Refer to line 15,000 (total income) on your Notice of Assessment(s) to calculate your gross family income.
• Provide recent official documentation to support your gross family income, such as a recent Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency. Visit the Canada Revenue Agency website or call 1-800-959-8281 to get a copy of your Notice of Assessment.

Source: Statistics Canada

Benefits

Program benefits include:

• A 50% discount on the eligible programs and membership fees for applicants whose annual household income is below the L.I.C.O. threshold.
• A 35% discount on the eligible programs and membership fees for applicants whose annual household income is not greater than 25% above the L.I.C.O. threshold.

Definitions and exclusions:

• A family is a maximum of two adult parents/guardians and their children (17 years of age and younger) living at the same address.
• Discounts can be applied towards one program or membership with a maximum value of $150 per individual per program session.
• Discounts applied through the Recreation Fee Assistance Program cannot be combined with any other discount. The applicant must pay the remaining balance of program and membership fees at the time of registration or enrollment.

Applying for the Recreation Fee Assistance Program

Applicants are required to submit the following on an annual basis:

• A completed Recreation Fee Assistance application form.
• All required documentation listed under the program eligibility section.
• A completed Program Registration Form and/or request for a Level 1 Swim, Skate or Walk Membership or Level 2 Fitness Centre Membership.

How to apply

Applications for Recreation Fee Assistance Program can be submitted online, emailed or faxed to a Supervisor, Recreational Programs or dropped off at a recreation facility. 

 Submit an online application form

Complete a paper application form. Forms are also available at recreation facilities.

Please note it can take up to five business days before you hear back on the status of your application.

We are excited to offer a 7-Day Free Family Level 1: Swim, Skate or Walk Membership pass for Oshawa residents to enjoy our recreational activities. This pass can be used for any recreational swim, skate or drop-in sport activity that is included in a Level 1: Swim, Skate and Walk Membership.

Important Information

Registration

Residents can register for the 7-Day Free Family Level 1 Membership by completing the online form, you will be contacted by Service Oshawa when a pass becomes available.  

Residency Requirement

You must be an Oshawa resident to qualify. Proof of residency must be shown when picking up the pass (Driver's License, Ontario Photo Card, or utility bill).

Pick-Up Process

Passes must be picked up in person at Service Oshawa. The person named on the waitlist must be the one to pick up the pass and show their ID. You will be notified by phone when a pass is available, once notified you will have 3 days to pick up the pass at the Service Oshawa counter located at City Hall – 50 Centre St. S. Service Oshawa hours are Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.      

Limitations

Each family is eligible for one pass per calendar year. The following activities are not included: shinny hockey and fieldhouse drop-in activities that occur on weekdays in the evening and all day on weekends, and 18+ and 35+ soccer.