Town of Whitby Subsidized Programs
Keeping You Connected - July 28, 2020

On Tuesday, August 4, the Town of Whitby will be opening its subsidy program and will be accepting applications. All applications for the Town of Whitby Access Program, Canadian Tire Jumpstart and the Region of Durham Recreation Program Cards will be processed. With the approval from the Ontario government to enter Stage 3, the Town of Whitby is reviewing how we can safely offer programs, open community centres, our pools and the health club. We want all clients to be approved as we prepare for our fall session launch as we re-open these services.

Please review the information below and visit us at www.whitby.ca/subsidy for updates about all of our subsidy programs.
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Town of Whitby Access Program
We know there are many questions you may have as we re-open. If your question is not answered below, please contact us at subsidy@whitby.ca and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.

Do I need to apply?
If the last unit you were assigned was a Summer 2020 unit or earlier, you will need to apply for approval for the Access Program. 

If you have a Fall 2020 or Winter 2021 unit, we encourage you to apply starting in November 2020. This will allow us to prioritize applications for people that do not currently have any units available.

If you currently receive the Region of Durham Recreation Program Cards, you do not need to apply. Please speak with your caseworker at the Region of Durham to have a current Recreation Program Card issued.

How do I apply?
We have moved the subsidy program online. All applications and supporting documents can be emailed to subsidy@whitby.ca . We accept scanned documents and photos. When sending photos, please send as the largest size possible. You may need to send us multiple emails if your attachments are too big for one email. 

We still require the following items for the Access Program:
Access Program Application
or

Enter information for you (applicant) and each family member living with you (spouse/partner, child/children).

Proof of Town of Whitby Address
Provide two of the following items showing your Whitby address:
  • Driver’s Licence
  • Ontario Photo Card
  • Utility Bill
  • Rent Receipt
Proof of Total Family Income:
  • Most recent Tax Return Notice of Assessment(s) listing total family income for the applicant and spouse/partner
or
  • If you receive Government Social Assistance through Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program, provide your most recent statement showing eligible family members

Canada Child Benefit Statement
If you are listing any child under the age of 18 on your Access Program Application Form, provide your most recent Canada Child Benefit statement listing eligible children.

What if I received government income assistance due to COVID-19?
If you received Employment Insurance (EI), the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or another government income assistance due to COVID-19, this will be reflected on your 2020 Tax Return Notice of Assessment. You may still qualify for the Access Program based on your most recent Tax Return Notice of Assessment and we encourage you to apply. You can also apply after you file your taxes for 2020 and submit your 2020 Tax Return Notice of Assessment to us, as it will accurately reflect your income due to COVID-19.

Are there any changes to the Access Program?
In May 2020, Whitby Council approved the most recent policy for the Town of Whitby Access Program. You can view the entire policy on the civic web . Below is an explanation of the main changes.

Children 0-14 years – one program or membership per individual, per session up to a maximum of $125/session fall, winter and spring; and $225 for summer.
This allows for a greater portion of the $600 annual funding to be allocated to summer camps, as they are more expensive than other seasonal programs.

Adults 55+ years – one 55+ annual membership and one program or membership per individual, per session up to a maximum of $150/session.
The inclusion of the 55+ annual membership removes a barrier of having to use a unit to purchase the required membership and creates easier access to programs for our clients. 

What will qualify for the Access Program?
All of the same programs and memberships we have offered in the past will still qualify for coverage with the Access Program. Due to COVID-19, there will be fewer programs available, smaller class sizes and restrictions on how many people can come in to use their membership at the same time. We will continue to re-assess the number and types of programs and activities we can offer in accordance with government and public health guidelines. We will also continue to ensure the health and safety of our staff and participants is at the forefront of all programs and activities we offer.

What happens to the Access Program units I didn’t get to use?
All Winter 2020, Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 units will be expired. You will need to apply if you do not have a Fall 2020 or Winter 2021 unit available.

Canadian Tire Jumpstart
Funding through Canadian Tire Jumpstart is available now. Apply online through the Canadian Tire Jumpstart individual child grant section. Programs are eligible if they are physically active and for participants ages 4-18 years.

Region of Durham Recreation Program Cards
If you receive Ontario Works, speak to your caseworker to request a Recreation Program Card. The cards grant access to the same programs and memberships included with the Access Program. Some exceptions may apply. 

We thank you for your patience and understanding as we begin to open again. We will process applications and answer questions in priority sequence. You can reach us at subsidy@whitby.ca . Please allow for at least two business days for any direct questions to be answered. Delays may occur due to volume and it may take longer during these peak periods.
Whitby Civic Recreation Complex 905.668.1424
Brooklin Community Centre and Library 905.655.2010

Note regarding links and websites
The Town of Whitby is providing these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any links does not imply endorsement by The Town of Whitby, nor can we be held responsible in any way for the content found on any third-party website.