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| INCOME SECURITY
What kinds of' income security benefits are available? Governments at the federal, provincial and municipal level help people who are unable to provide for themselves and their families. Special programs help people in different circumstances, such as: raising children (Child Tax Benefits), retirement (Canada Pension/Quebec Pension, Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement), job-related injuries (Workers' Compensation), the loss of a job (Employment Insurance), longer-term unemployment (Social Assistance). Who can receive income security benefits? Most benefits are for people in specific circumstances. You must qualify for each type of government assistance. For some benefits, you must pay into the plan to be eligible to receive them. Sometimes, a person or family may qualify for more than one kind of income security, but each has separate application or procedures and rules to ensure that benefits only go to those who need them. To qualify for any benefits, you must have a Social Insurance Number. What is a Social insurance Number (SIN)? A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is an identification number given to each person for the purposes of income tax, Employment Insurance, old age pension, etc. Most newcomers receive an application form for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) when they first arrive in Canada. If you did not get one, you can apply at any Human Resource Centre of Canada (HRCC). You will need to show your birth certificate, Canada Immigration visa (Record of Landing) and passport. There is a small administrative fee. Forms are also available at Canada Post offices and through many immigrant-serving agencies.  The federal government provides monthly payments to parents or guardians on behalf of children under the age of 18, through a program called the Child Tax Benefit. It is usually paid to the mother of the child if the child lives with her. The amount is different according to family income, number of children and their ages. Who is eligible? To be considered for the Child Tax Benefit you must be the parent or guardian of the child who lives with you. In addition, you or your spouse must he either a: Canadian citizen, Permanent resident, Convention refugee in Canada whose refugee status has been confirmed by the Immigration Refugee Board, or Visitor or holder of a Minister's Permit under the Immigration Act, who has lived at least 1 8 continuous months in Canada before applying for the Benefit. How do you apply? Send an application form to Revenue Canada, Taxation and show documents such as Record of Landing or passport. Proof of birth must also be provided for each child. You may also contact a Client Service Centre, Income Security Program, Human Resources Development Canada. For further information, look in the government pages of your telephone book. The Old Age Security (OAS) pension is given to people 65 and over who meet residence requirements. Those who have little or no other income may be eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). The spouse (between the ages of 60 and 64) of a low income or deceased pensioner may qualify for the Spouse's Allowance (SPA). Who is eligible? If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who has lived in Canada for 40 years after the age of I 8, you are eligible for a full OAS pension. People who have lived in Canada for less than 40 years may get a reduced pension. Permanent residents from some countries may be able to receive old age security from their previous country of residence. Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and Spouse's Allowance (SPA) are available to people who can prove they need the money. How do you apply? You can apply to a client Service Centre, Income Security Program Branch of Human Resources Development Canada. You will find these listed in the government pages of the telephone book. You will need a birth or baptismal certificate, passport or Canada Immigration visa (Record of Landing). Canada and Quebec Pension Plans are a form of insurance to which people must contribute during their working years, to receive monthly payments starting at age 65. A reduced pension is available at age 60. These plans also include survivor's pensions for the spouses of deceased pensioners, disability pensions and children's and death benefits. Who is eligible? Canadian citizens, permanent residents, visitors and holders of a Minister's Permit who have been legally admitted to Canada for one year, whose income that year was subject to Canadian income tax and who contributed to the plan. The amount paid out will depend on the total amount contributed. How do you apply? You can apply to a Client Service Centre, Income Security Programs, Human Resources Development Canada. You will find these listed in the government pages of the telephone book. You will need a birth or baptismal certificate, passport or Canada Immigration visa (Record of Landing). Who is eligible? You are eligible if you have made payments to Employment Insurance (El) while you were working over a minimum time, and if you lose your job through no fault of your own. You may also be eligible for benefits if your reason of unemployment is the birth or adoption of a child, enrolment in a national training program, work sharing or job training. How do you apply? You must apply to the Human Resource Centre of Canada (HRCC) nearest you. Consult the government directory pages of the telephone book. Social Assistance, often called welfare, helps people in need who are not eligible for other benefits. Benefit payments help pay for food, shelter, fuel, clothing, prescription drugs, and other health services. Eligibility rules and the size of payment are different from region to region. In some cases, you may be eligible for programs to train you for the work that is available. Social Assistance is usually administered though local offices of the provincial or municipal departments of social services. Workers's Compensation People injured while at work may be eligible to receive financial benefits, medical and rehabilitative services. The provincial Workers' Compensation Board offices decide if you qualify for compensation, based on medical reports and proof that your injury was work-related. |
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A: How do I apply for a
Social Insurance Number card? A: When is a fee charged?
A: What documents must
I provide?
If you are a Canadian Citizen born in Canada, you must submit
one of these documents: A: Supporting Documents
Required A: Importance of the names
on your Social Insurance Number card A: What do I do if my
S.I.N. card is lost or stolen? A: S.I.N. and fraud
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| Health Newcomers to Canada may face barriers to proper health care such as language, low income, cultural sensitivities and immigration or refugee status.For instance, in Ontario, Community Health Centres (CHCs) offer health care services to people who might otherwise not get the help they need. Medical Examination for Immigrants and Refugees Immigrants, refugees, and some visitors to Canada must pass a medical examination. The examination must be performed by a doctor who is on Citizenship and Immigration Canada's list of designated medical practitioners (DMPs). There are DMPs in Canada and in countries around the world. You must take the examination before you enter Canada unless you are visiting in Canada and apply for landed immigrant status with the sponsorship of a family member you claim refugee status from within Canada. To pass the examination you must not have a health condition that is of danger to public health or safety or would place excessive demands on health or social services in Canada. For example, a person who has tuberculosis or who is being treated for cancer will not be accepted. Canada's national health care system is known as Medicare. Medicare is a network of health insurance plans that are managed by Canada's ten provinces and three territories. These plans must meet standards that are set by the Government of Canada. Residents of Ontario are covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). There is usually a three-month waiting period from the time you arrive in Ontario until you are covered. During this period, you are encouraged to buy health insurance from a private company. When your application for OHIP has been accepted, you will receive a Health Card. You will need to show your Health Card every time you visit your doctor. If your doctor prescribes medication, you can buy it at a drug store or pharmacy. OHIP does not pay for prescriptions. Your employer may offer a group insurance plan that will cover some of the cost, or you can buy an individual plan from a private company. Most Canadians see a family doctor or general practitioner ("GP"). Family doctors diagnose and treat most medical problems. If you have a specific health problem, your family doctor may refer you to a specialist. Choose from these sub-topics to learn how you can find different types of health professionals, including family doctors, dentists, optometrists and psychologists. As a health care consumer, you have both rights and responsibilities. Your right to receive safe and proper care is balanced by your responsibility to participate in health care decisions and follow instructions for taking medication. If you are very sick or injured, you can go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital. Take your Health Card with you. If you need an ambulance, call 9-1-1. This service is available in most areas in Ontario. If your area does not have this service, look in the front of your local telephone book under "Emergency Numbers." You must pay for ambulance service in full if it was not essential for you to take it. Community and Public Health Community Health Centres (CHCs) provide health care and education to people who may otherwise have difficulty getting the help or information they need. For newcomers to Canada, barriers to proper health care can include language, low income, cultural sensitivities and immigration or refugee status. You may be eligible for services at a CHC even if you do not have a Health Card. The public health care system in Ontario focuses on the health of whole communities rather than individuals. For example, public health professionals monitor the population for outbreaks of diseases such as influenza (flu). They also play an important role in educating youth and adults about sexual and reproductive health. The community care system in Ontario provides health care to people of all ages who require assistance but want to stay in their homes rather than go to a hospital or other institution. Forty-three Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) coordinate community care services across the Province. CCACs also offer placement services for long-term care facilities such as nursing homes. Alternative Health Many Canadians use services that are not part of the main health care system. Alternative health approaches are often well-established in countries outside Canada and include such things as chiropractic, naturopathy, and acupuncture. The cost of these services may be covered in part by OHIP or not at all. Individual and group insurance plans cover some treatments by regulated professionals. |
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| A: How do
you obtain medical services? Medical services are available from hospitals, doctors and other health care providers. Persons without health insurance coverage are charged directly for these services. Insurance coverage for essential medical services is available to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Each person carries a personal health card which must be shown at the reception desk of the doctor or hospital. Each province has its own particular requirements to obtain a health insurance card so it is important to contact a provincial ministry of health office in the province you reside. You can apply for a health card at the provincial ministry of health office in your city. You will find the address in the provincial government listings in your telephone book. Take with you your birth certificate, Canada Immigration visa (Record of Landing) and passport. Some provinces also request further documentation showing your name and address and your signature. All members of your family must have their own coverage. Take their documents with you, and ask the government officer for information about registering them. - former residents returning to live in Ontario - new Ontario residents who meet eligibility requirements for OHIP coverage. A: Who can apply for a replacement Health Card? - people whose Health Card has been lost, stolen or damaged - people reporting a change of personal information. Note: If you already have a photo health card, you may not have to visit a Ministry of Health office. Please call your local office for information. You must go to a Ministry of Health office to apply. Before you go, make sure you have all the documents you need. Whether applying for a new or replacement Health Card, you must take three original documents, one each from lists 1, 2 and . If you are applying for a new Health Card, you must also fill in a Registration for Ontario Health Coverage form. If you need to replace your Health Card, you must also fill in a Change of Information form. If you have a Health Card you must take that as well. The documents you must take with you You will need three original documents. 1. To show your Canadian citizenship or immigration status, bring the original of one of these documents: - Birth Certificate from a Canadian province, territory or the Department of National Defence Certificate of Canadian Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization (paper document or card, not commemorative issue) - Current Canadian Passport (or expired passport issued Feb. 15, 1977, or later), - Certified Statement of Live Birth from a Canadian province or territory, Certificate of Baptism or equivalent if born in Quebec (prior to January 1994) or Newfoundland. - Certificate of Indian Status (paper or plastic card) - Registered Indian Record (certified) - Immigrant Visa and Record of Landing - Canadian Immigration Identification card - Canadian Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad - Convention Refugee Determination Division letter - Minister's Permit (exceptions may apply) - Employment Authorization (exceptions may apply). 2. To show you live in Ontario, bring a current original document with your name and home address on it. It can be one of these: valid Ontario Driver's Licence or Temporary Driver's Licence Ontario motor vehicle permit (plate or vehicle portions) bank account statement (savings or chequing account, not automatic teller receipts) utility bill (telephone, cable TV, public utilities commission, hydro, gas, water) mortgage, rental or lease agreement income tax assessment insurance policy (home, tenant, auto or life) employer record (pay stub or letter from employer), Certificate of Age of Majority card school, college or university report card or transcript Statement of Old Age Security T4A(OAS) or Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits T4A(P) Statement of Unemployment Insurance Benefits Paid T4U Workers' Compensation Board Statement of Benefits T5007 Child Tax Benefit statement letter from Indian band administrator Statement of Direct Deposit for Ontario family benefits allowance, Your Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions statement of Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) or Registered Home Ownership Savings Plan (RHOSP) from a financial institution (bank, trust company, credit union) property tax bill letter from an administrator of an agency for convention refugees or for the homeless letter from an administrator of a publicly funded long-term care facility. 3. To show you are the person you say you are, bring the original of a document with your name and signature. It can be one of these: Social Insurance Number card credit card or bank card current employee ID student ID card union card library card certified Statement of Marriage from the Registrar General of Ontario or a marriage certificate from anywhere else valid Ontario Driver's Licence or Temporary Driver's Licence Ontario motor vehicle permit (plate or vehicle portions) Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (plastic card) passport (Canadian or foreign) Canadian Immigration Identification card current professional association licence. Certificate of Indian Status (paper or plastic card) Old Age Security card Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Outdoors card You cannot use the same document twice. For example, if you use your driver's licence for section 2, you can't use it again for section 3. You may be asked for additional documents. For example, if your name has changed, you may need to provide a marriage certificate or a change of name certificate. If your children are 15 1/2 years or younger, apply for their health coverage at the same time you apply for your own. The children don't have to go with you because they won't have a photo on their card. All you will need is a document from list 1 for each child. Children older than 15 1/2 years must register in person because they will have a photo and signature on their card. They will need three original documents in their name, one each from lists 1, 2 and 3. A: Who is eligible to receive a health card? Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible in all provinces. Certain persons in Canada for a temporary period of time (e.g., temporary workers, holders of a Minister's permit, foreign students, and refugees whose status has been confirmed by the Immigration Refugee Board) are also eligible in some provinces. Essential health care services are available to refugee claimants through the Interim Federal Health Program at Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Permanent residents are eligible immediately, except in British Columbia, Ontario and New Brunswick where there is a three-month waiting period. Persons in Canada temporarily and holding Immigration Canada documentation (e.g., temporary workers, holders of a Minister's permit and foreign students) have different waiting periods, depending on the province. For more information, contact the provincial ministry of health. A: Is your health card accepted throughout Canada? For permanent residents, your health card is primarily for use in the province you live in. if you move to another province, reapply as soon as possible. There are waiting periods before you can be covered, although you are covered by the health plan of the province you left for a certain amount of time. If you are visiting another province, your card can be used in an emergency. Residents residing in a province for a temporary period should contact the provincial health insurance plan office in the province, of permanent residence for further clarification concerning their coverage throughout Canada. Most medical services are paid for by various tax measures. Basic hospital charges and doctors' fees are covered. Two provinces charge premiums (British Columbia and Alberta). In general, insured services are provided on a prepaid basis, i.e. provincial plans pay the hospital or doctor directly for services they provide to eligible residents. A: What medical services are NOT covered? Provinces do not pay for services that are medically unnecessary, such as cosmetic surgery. Some provinces provide coverage for non-medical service coverage, such as prescription drugs and assistive devices. These may require a co-payment by the patient. |
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