Form

Apply, Renew or Replace OHIP Card Information
OHIP is Ontario’s health care plan. Through OHIP, the province pays for many of the health services you may need. You need to apply and, once you’re approved, you’ll get an Ontario health card. Your health card proves you’re covered by OHIP – that’s why you’ll need to show it every time you see your doctor, visit an emergency room, have a medical test or go for surgery.

How you replace a card depends on the kind of card you had last.

Apply

To apply for an Ontario health card, you must visit a ServiceOntario centre with a completed Registration for Ontario Health Insurance Coverage form.

You will need to bring three separate identification documents from the list of qualifying identification documents (photocopies are not accepted):

• an original one that proves your Canadian citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status
• an original, printed or digital/electronic one that proves you live in Ontario
• an original one that confirms your identity

Reapply

If you’ve been out of Ontario for more than 212 days (over 7 months) in any 12‑month period, you may have to reapply for OHIP at a specialized ServiceOntario Centre that provides the full-suite of health card services. You can call ServiceOntario at 1-800-664-8988 to be sure.

Renew or Replace

Red and white health card

To replace a lost, stolen or damaged red and white Ontario health card, you must visit a ServiceOntario centre with a completed Registration for Ontario Health Insurance Coverage form.

You will need to bring three separate identification documents from the list of qualifying identification documents (photocopies are not accepted):

• an original one that proves your Canadian citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status
• an original, printed or digital/electronic one that proves you live in Ontario
• an original one that confirms your identity

You will receive a new photo health card in 4 to 6 weeks.

Replacing a photo health card

How you replace a photo health card depends on whether it is expired or not – and whether your personal information has changed or not.

You must visit a ServiceOntario centre to replace an unexpired photo health card if your name or address has changed.

If your name and address has not changed, you can replace an unexpired lost, stolen or damaged photo health card by calling ServiceOntario at 1-800-664-8988.

To replace an expired photo health card after the renewal date, you must visit a ServiceOntario centre.

Bring two separate identification documents from the list of qualifying identification documents (photocopies are not accepted):

• an original, printed or digital/electronic one that proves you live in Ontario
• an original one that confirms your identity
• If your Canadian Citizenship or immigration status has changed since you got your current health card, you also need to bring your most recent Citizenship or immigration document

OHIP+ information
OHIP+ provides more than 5,000 drug products at no cost for anyone aged 24 years or younger who is not covered by a private insurance plan. You don’t need to enroll — all you need is a health card number and an eligible prescription.

Check here to see if your prescription is covered by OHIP+. 

If you have partial prescription coverage through insurance that doesn't cover your prescriptions completely, have low annual maximum payable amounts or drug exclusions, you might still want to apply for TDP.

OHIP - Documents for Proof of Canadian citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status

For Canadian citizens

• Canadian passport
  • valid or expired no more than five years
• birth certificate from Ontario or other Canadian province or territory (issued under Vital Statistics Act)
• Canadian Certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad
• Certified Statement of Live Birth from Ontario, or other Canadian province or territory
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization (paper document or card, not commemorative issue)
• Certificate of Indian Status (paper or plastic card)
• Registered Indian Record (certified)
• Temporary Confirmation of Registration document

OHIP - Documents for Proof of Canadian citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status

For permanent residents (formerly called “landed immigrants”)

• Permanent Resident Card
  • must be valid or expired no more than five years
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (Imm 5292, 5688)
• Canadian Immigration Identification Card
• Record of Landing (Imm 1000)

OHIP - Documents for Proof of Canadian citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status

For applicants for permanent residence

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) letter (IRCC used to be called Citizenship and Immigration Canada, or CIC). The letter must:
  • be on IRCC letterhead, addressed to you as applicant
  • state IRCC has confirmed you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent residence in Canada and you have not yet been denied.
• IRCC document (e.g. work permit, visitor record, temporary resident permit or study permit), with a note confirming all three of the following. You have:
  • applied for permanent residence
  • met the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent residence
  • have not been denied

OHIP - Documents for Proof of Canadian citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status

Other immigration status

• letter from Immigration and Refugee Board confirming Convention Refugee or Protected Person status
• Protected Person Status document
• temporary resident permit (case types 86 through 95 only)
• work permit (proof of full-time employment for an employer in Ontario is required – restrictions apply)
  • this must be an original or digital document (contract or letter) on employer company letterhead signed and dated by the employer and state:
    • that the employee is working full-time
    • the title/occupation of the position
    • the start date of employment, and
    • that the employer intends to employ the employee for a minimum of six (6) months (the letter can state the employee is permanent. However, this does not replace the criteria to confirm “Full Time”)
• Verification of Status (Imm 5716 or Imm 5715)
• written confirmation from IRCC that you are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship under section 5.1 of Canada’s Citizenship Act

Consent to the Ministry of Health Collection and/or Disclosure of Personal Health Information form

For TDP purposes, applicants can provide a delegate and their address for mailing purposes. All correspondence will be mailed to the delegate’s address, both the applicant’s name and the delegate’s name will be printed on all correspondence The delegate’s name will have “c/o”. In these cases the applicant and the delegate will have to complete and sign the ministry’s Consent to the Ministry of Health Collection and/or Disclosure of Personal Health Information form.

This consent form authorizes the Ministry of Health to collect personal health information from a third party of the individual identified in section 2 for purposes related to the individual’s receipt of benefits under the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program.

This consent form also authorizes a third party to obtain from the Ministry of Health the personal health information of that individual.

The Ministry of Health requires the individual’s (or their substitute decision-maker’s) consent to collect information from, or disclose information to, a third party.

Important

This form cannot be used to authorize a third party to make changes to an ODB program recipient’s file (e.g., change in enrolment start date, address, income, deductible or household membership) or to request a cheque trace. These can only be made by the individual themselves or by their substitute decision-maker.

Required for application:

• OHIP number or
• Trillium Drug Program File Number

Find the form here

Temporary Resident Permit for OHIP
Depending on your situation, Temporary Resident Permit holders may be able to access prescription drug support. 

Please contact your immigration lawyer and ask if you’re eligible.

Ontario Drug Benefit information
You will qualify for the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program when you turn 65 years old. You will qualify before you reach that age because you’re living in a:

• long-term care home
• home for special care
• Community Home for Opportunity
• receiving professional home and community care services
• receiving benefits from Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program
• enrolled in the Trillium Drug Program

All OHIP-insured seniors aged 65 years and over automatically qualify for the ODB Program. Seniors pay a $100 annual deductible before they are eligible for drug coverage. After the deductible is paid, seniors then pay a co-payment of up to $6.11 toward the dispensing fee per prescription.

Seniors with low incomes, the government allows a single senior with a net income at or below $25,000 and senior couples with a combined net incomes at or below $41,500, to apply to the Senior Co-Payment Program to have the $100 deductible requirement waived and the co-payment reduced from $6.11 to a maximum of $2 per prescription. The SCP is an application-based program.

If you are a low-income senior or a senior couple with income below certain thresholds, you can have your Ontario Drug Benefit deductible waived and co-payment fees reduced to $2 by applying for the Seniors Co-Payment Program. The Ontario Drug Benefit program is for Ontario residents only and prescriptions must be filled in an Ontario pharmacy to be covered. Make sure your Ontario health card is valid (for example, it hasn’t expired). Your pharmacist will need your health card to confirm your eligibility for the Ontario Drug Benefit program.

Learn more about Prescription Drug Coverage.

SIN Documents for Parent or Legal Guardian Checklist
All documents must be:

• digital copies of original documents
• valid (not expired)
• clear, legible and complete by showing the entire document including the borders;
• in English or French (if your document is in another language, please see translation requirements)

Required documents for the parent or legal guardian:

Primary identity document

You must provide 1 of the following documents:

• birth certificate issued by the vital statistics agency in the province or territory of birth
• certificate of Canadian Citizenship issued by IRCC or CIC
• certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad issued by CIC before 1977

Note:

Most original certificates of birth and birth certificates are acceptable to get a SIN. However, some birth certificates may no longer be considered valid or meet the requirements by the issuing province or meet the requirements for various reasons. The SIN Program must review the document to determine its validity.

The SIN Program does not accept Quebec proof of birth documents issued prior to 1994.

Secondary document

You must provide 1 of the following documents. It must contain the legal name (family name and given name) and the date of birth.

• a passport (Canadian or foreign)
• a Canadian provincial or territorial ID card or driver’s license
  any other Canadian government-issued ID
• Documentation confirming legal guardianship (legal guardian only)

Document issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority. In Quebec, a notarized will is an acceptable document.

Supporting document

If the name on any document provided is different from the name on the SIN application, a legal document stating the most recent name used is required

Required documents for the child:

Primary identity document

You must provide 1 of the following documents:

• birth certificate issued by the vital statistics agency in the province or territory of birth
• certificate of Canadian Citizenship issued by IRCC or CIC
• certificate of Registration of Birth Abroad issued by CIC before 1977

Note: 

Most original certificates of birth and birth certificates are acceptable to get a SIN. However, some birth certificates may no longer be considered valid or meet the requirements by the issuing province or meet the requirements for various reasons. The SIN Program must review the document to determine its validity.

The SIN Program does not accept Quebec proof of birth documents issued prior to 1994.

Supporting document

If the name on any document provided is different from the name on the SIN application, a legal document stating the most recent name used is required.

Free Tax Clinic Information

Ottawa has local free tax clinics that run throughout the year, mostly during “tax season” (March to April) each year. These are run by volunteers and often have students helping file taxes, so complicated taxes (including foreign property/assets, self employed, etc) won’t be eligible for the free tax clinics. 

In order to be eligible for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), individuals must have a modest income and a simple tax situation. This may include:

• adults 65 years and older
• housing-insecure individuals
• Indigenous Peoples
• modest-income individuals
• newcomers
• persons with disabilities
• students and youth

Modest Income

The following table provides a guideline to determine what is considered a modest income. In general, a modest income means the total family income is less than or equal to the amount shown in the chart below, based on the size of the family.

Suggested income levelsSuggested income levels

 Family size Total family income

 1 person ------- $35,000

 2 people ------- $45,000

 3 people ------- $47,500

 4 people ------- $50,000

 5 people ------- $52,500

More than 5 people $52,500, plus $2,500 for each additional person

*Family size includes an individual, or a couple, and their dependents.

Simple tax situation

In general, a tax situation is simple if an individual has no income or if their income comes from these sources:

• employment
• pension
• benefits, such as the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security,
• disability insurance, employment insurance, and social assistance
• Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs)
• scholarships, fellowships, bursaries, or grants
• interest (under $1,000)

Volunteers are not expected to answer complex tax questions. If a taxpayer needs information that is beyond the volunteer’s expertise, they should visit the Government of Canada’s Taxes webpage or call 1-800-959-8281.

There are a variety of free tax clinics throughout Ottawa and some in Gatineau as well. They may offer services in different languages, have different clientele, hours and locations. These are some examples of clinics that either focus on 2SLGBTQIA+ communities or offer services in languages that might be helpful to MAX’s community members.

For a full list of the locations, check out Find a Tax Clinic.

Partial Coverage Information

The TDP works with other medical insurance your household may have to help pay your eligible drug costs.

The TDP coverage starts after you’ve used the coverage from your private insurance first. After private insurance, you will have to spend a certain amount out-of-pocket based on your annual income (4% of your total income before tax, broken up into quarterly payments), called the deductible. The TDP can cover what your household spent on eligible drug costs after private insurance and the deductible is paid for the quarter.

Prior to reaching your quarterly deductible: All prescription drug claims must be first submitted to your private insurance, either by you or by the pharmacy. Once your prescription drug claim has been processed by your private insurance, you should submit your prescription drug receipt, along with the statement from your private insurance that says what they covered, to the TDP. The costs you paid out-of-pocket (not covered by your private insurance) count toward your TDP deductible.

After reaching your quarterly deductible: The TDP will pay your ODB eligible prescription costs. Your pharmacy will be able to submit your claims electronically to the TDP until the end of the quarter.

The amount covered by your private insurance, drug cards, manufacturer discounts or any other third-party support, like a Patient Support Program (PSP), and dispensing fees don’t count towards paying the deductible. Only the amount you pay at the pharmacy for your prescription applies to the deductible.

Learn more: Got to Section 3 of A Guide to Understanding the Trillium Drug Program

Insurance Annual Maximum

If a drug product has an annual maximum imposed by the private plan carrier, the date the annual maximum was met and the date the benefits are reinstated is required from the insurance carrier.

In some cases, private insurance coverage has annual limitations on the amount that they will contribute toward prescription drug costs (or a particular drug) and sometimes there are lifetime maximums. This type of information is required so that TDP can keep track of deductible payments by counting only the out-of-pocket costs for paid prescriptions.

In these cases, the TDP will accept a letter from the insurance company stating the date that the annual or lifetime maximum was met and the date of reinstatement in the case of annual maximums.

Insurance exclusion Process:

If a drug product has been excluded from the private plan, the name of the drug product(s) that has been excluded from the insurance policy by the carrier is required.

The TDP has a process in place that can temporarily “block” the insurance on the Health Network System (HNS) in the TDP pre-deductible phase, provided proof of exclusion is provided, enabling the pharmacy to adjudicate the excluded drug product on-line. This amount would then go towards the deductible without the patient having to submit the receipts to the TDP office.

In the case of “blocking” the insurance, the patient or an authorized representative would call the TDP 24 hours in advance of the excluded drug products being dispensed. The TDP file would be updated to allow on-line claim adjudication for the specified drug products as a deductible contribution at the pharmacy counter in real-time.