REFUGEE CLAIMANT ONLY. Resettled refugees are eligible for limited, temporary coverage through IFHP until they qualify for provincial or territorial health coverage. If you are a CONVENTION REFUGEE, you are not eligible for Ontario Works during the period in which they are eligible for the RAP or the PSR and JAS programs.
Refugee claimants waiting for a decision on their claim are eligible to receive OW for up to 45 days from the date they applied for assistance. After the 45-day period, they must meet additional eligibility criteria to continue receiving OW.
Refugee claimants waiting for a decision on their claim are eligible to receive OW for up to 45 days from the date they applied for assistance. After the 45-day period, they must meet additional eligibility criteria to continue receiving OW.
Refugee claimants with official documentation confirming they have made a claim for refugee protection are eligible for OW effective the date they initiated their claim with an immigration officer. In cases where an individual has a future appointment scheduled with the IRCC to determine if their claim is eligible for referral to the IRB, the status of their claim must be verified one week (5 working days) after their scheduled appointment with an immigration officer.
i. The removal order has been stayed
ii. The individual has made an application to stay in Canada for humanitarian, compassionate or other reasons under the authority of the IRPA
iii. The removal order cannot be carried out for reasons entirely beyond the control of the individual, such as:
iv. Travel documentation and arrangements are delayed or have not been finalized by the IRCC
v. IRCC has determined that the safety of the deportee cannot be assured in the home country due to strife or political unrest
vi. Criminal charges have been laid, but not yet heard
i. The removal order has been stayed
ii. The individual has made an application to stay in Canada for humanitarian, compassionate or other reasons under the authority of the IRPA
iii. The removal order cannot be carried out for reasons entirely beyond the control of the individual, such as:
iv. Travel documentation and arrangements are delayed or have not been finalized by the IRCC
v. IRCC has determined that the safety of the deportee cannot be assured in the home country due to strife or political unrest
vi. Criminal charges have been laid, but not yet heard
IFHP: The Interim Federal Health Program is health-care coverage in Canada for all refugee claimants, resettled refugees and other groups that do not qualify for provincial/territorial health insurance. This coverage is temporary and limited.
OW: Ontario Works – provides financial and employment assistance for people in Ontario who need money because they cannot find work or temporarily cannot work.
OHIP: Government-run health insurance plan for the Canadian province of Ontario
