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Getting help with costs in your region

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If you are sick or having trouble finding a job, you may need help paying for food, rent or medicine. There are different programs that can help you with some of these costs. Income assistance, also sometimes called financial assistance or social assistance, is for people who need help paying for these basic needs. If you apply for income assistance, you may want to talk to your case worker about your health and money concerns so they can get you the most help possible.

 
Programs in Northwest Territories

Income Assistance

In Northwest Territories, you can apply for Income Assistance (IA) if you need help paying for things like your food and housing. You can apply to get money for your basic needs, such as food, rent and utilities. Or you can apply to get help with enhanced needs, such as clothing, disability expenses and education. The amount of money you can get from IA depends on things like how much money you make, the size of your family and where you live. You may also be able to get help with things like health care, child care, housing and heating costs.

To apply for IA, you can call the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) Office at 1-866-973-7252 or complete the online application form and take it to your local ECE Service Centre office. If you need help filling it out, you can go to your local office for assistance.

If you’re sick with hepatitis C or you have a disability, you may choose to tell your case worker when you apply for IA so that you can get extra money, called a disability allowance, to help with your medical needs. Your chronic hepatitis C may or may not be considered a disability. If you can work but are having a hard time finding a job, you may want to see if there is a job training or employment program that can help you. Your case worker can tell you more about these programs.

If your application for Income Assistance is turned down or you think that the amount of your monthly cheque is wrong, you have the right to challenge the decision by making an appeal. An appeal can be made by filling out an appeal application form and taking it to your local ECE office.

 
Programs in Canada

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

If you’ve worked before in Canada, your employer probably made deductions on your paycheque for Employment Insurance (EI) and CPP. When you retire (usually when you’re 65) you can collect CPP but CPP also has a disability program for people who can’t work because they’re sick.

Programs in Canada

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

If you've worked before in Canada, your employer probably made deductions on your paycheque for Employment Insurance (EI) and CPP. When you retire (usually when you're 65) you can collect CPP but CPP also has a disability program for people who can't work because they're sick. Click here for more information on how to apply for CPP Disability and remember you have the right to appeal if they say you don't qualify.

Employment Insurance (EI)

EI is a program for people who have stopped working because they were laid off (EI Regular Benefits), had a baby (EI Maternity and Parental Benefits) or are too sick to work (EI Sick Benefits). EI payments cover a shorter period of time and it's for people who have had a job in the last year or so.

Jobs with Benefits

Some jobs come with sick pay or disability benefits that can pay you if you have to stop working. You can ask your Human Resources (HR) department what coverage you have at work. You can also ask about Employment Assistance Programs (EAPs) which help people with short-term counselling or referrals.

Published 2010.