Once a new immigrant arrives in Canada there three important things they must do:

1. Apply for a Social Insurance Number.

2. Apply for medical insurance.

3. Open a bank account.

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 (Canada Child Tax Benefit),

• 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.

Social Insurance Number

How to apply

To work in Canada, you require a Social Insurance Number (SIN).  You can apply for one at the port of entry (Canada Immigration Office) when you first arrive.  If you have not done this:

1. Go to the nearest Canada Employment Centre

2. Take two pieces of identification such as your passport, immigration papers, or birth certificate.  All documents must be originals.

3. A plastic card bearing your SIN and a paper card to keep as a record will be mailed to you in about five to eight weeks.  Once you receive the place card, immediately sign it, and keep it with you.

There is no fee to apply for a Social Insurance Number.  You will retain the number for life.

CANADA CHILD TAX BENEFIT

The federal government provides monthly payments to parents or guardians on behalf of children under the age of 18, through a program called the Canada 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 Canada Child Tax Benefit you must be the parent or guardian of the child who lives with you. In addition, you or your spouse must be either a:

• Canadian citizen,

• Permanent resident,

• Convention refugee in Canada whose refugee status has been confirmed by the Immigration and Refugee Board, or

• Visitor or holder of a Minister's Permit under the Immigration Act, who has lived at least 18 continuous months in Canada before applying for the Benefit.

How do you apply?

Send an application form to the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency 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.

OLD AGE SECURITY, GUARANTEED INCOME SUPPLEMENT AND SPOUSE'S ALLOWANCE

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 18, 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

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).

EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Who is eligible?

You are eligible if you have made payments to Employment Insurance (EI) 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

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' 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.

Medical Insurance

General Info

Every province has a taxpayer - funded health insurance program that provides inexpensive, high-quality health care.  Without it, health care costs are high.  

Once covered under Medicare, you will receive a provincial health card with an identification number.  You must re-register if you move to another province.  Be sure to inform your insurance plan if you move, or if your family size or marital status changes as it may affect your coverage.

Medicare covers medical services, including physician fees and hospital costs, with the following exceptions:

• examinations for employment or insurance purposes

• telephone advice

• cosmetic surgery

• prosthesis (artificial body parts)

• acupuncture

• routine dental treatment.

If you don't know whether the treatment you desire is covered, ask  the person administering it.

Generally, to qualify for Medicare in most provinces you must reside in that Province, you must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant.  If you have temporary status, contact your Provincial healthcare agency to ask if healthcare coverage is available.

Medical Insurance for International Travelers 

How to apply

Contact the Provincial health care authority for an application.  In most instances, you will need your Social Insurance Number, copies of your visa or landed immigrant papers.  When your coverage begins, you will receive a Healthcare care with your name and personal health number.  Carry this card with you at all times.

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.

How do you get a health card?

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.

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.

How soon are you eligible?

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.

During the waiting period, you should acquire private health care coverage.

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.

How are medical services paid for?

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.

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.

Bank Account

When you open any type of bank account, you will be asked for personal information and identification, including:

• Your full name, address, date of birth, and telephone number.

• At least two pieces of identification, which have your signature and/or photo on them.  Your passport and driver's license are best; a major credit card is also acceptable as one piece.  By law, you must provide your Social Insurance Number to your bank for any account that pays your interest.

• If you are working, the name, address, and telephone number of your employer, and your occupation.

• The name and telephone number of someone whom the bank can contact if they are unable to reach you (for example, your spouse or a relative over 18 years old).

• A sample of your signature, written the say you would normally sign it on other bank forms, like cheques.

You will be asked to sign an account agreement and make a minimum deposit.  If you are making a large cash deposit, the law may require that you sign a declaration attesting to the source of the funds.