New to Canada? Disability Support Is Here for You.

Key Points

• Your child has the right to go to school. Every child in Canada has the right to education regardless of immigration status. Schools cannot ask about immigration status.
• Emergency medical care is never refused. If your child needs emergency help, go to the hospital. They will treat your child first.
• Filing taxes opens doors. Even if you have zero income, file a tax return. This triggers CCB, CDB, and GST/HST credit.
• Provincial health insurance waiting periods exist in some provinces (typically 3 months). During the wait, consider the IFHP (if refugee), private insurance, or community health centres.

Finding Services in Your Language

How to Get an Interpreter

• Hospitals: Ask for an interpreter. Major hospitals have free interpretation services.
• Government offices: Federal and provincial offices provide interpretation. Ask when you call or arrive.
• Schools: School boards provide interpretation for parent and IEP meetings. Request in advance.
• Settlement agencies: Free interpretation for settlement-related appointments.
• 211: Call 211 for referrals in over 150 languages.

Important

• Never use your child as an interpreter for their own medical appointments. Always request a professional interpreter.
• Never use Google Translate for medical information. Medical translation errors can be dangerous.

We understand that disability is viewed differently across cultures. Some families face pressure from community or family to hide a diagnosis or refuse services. Whatever your situation, the supports on this page are confidential. Nobody is notified when you access services. Your privacy is protected.

You don't need to tell anyone about your child's diagnosis until you're ready. But the earlier your child receives support, the better their outcomes will be. You can access services privately.

Faith-Based Support

• Many churches, mosques, temples, and synagogues have respite ministries
• Some run disability-inclusive programs (Sunday school, youth groups)
• Spiritual leaders can be allies if they understand the diagnosis
• Faith communities can be a source of practical help (meals, transportation, childcare)

What to Ask Your Settlement Worker

Most newcomers are assigned a settlement worker. They help with housing, employment, and language — but many don't know about disability services. Ask specifically:

1. "My child has [condition]. Who can help us?"
2. "How do I get a health card for my child?"
3. "How do I apply for the Disability Tax Credit?"
4. "How do I register my child for school with an IEP?"
5. "Are there support groups in [my language]?"
6. "Can you help me fill out these benefit applications?"

Right Now

1. Get a health card for your province. Apply immediately upon arrival.
2. Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN) for you and your child. Needed for all benefits.
3. Register your child for school. Schools must accept your child and provide accommodations.
4. Call 211. Tell them your language and that you have a child with a disability.
5. Find your local settlement agency. They can help with everything and provide interpretation.

When You're Ready

6. File a tax return. Even if you have zero income. This triggers CCB, CDB, and GST credit.
7. Apply for the DTC. Ask your child's doctor to fill out form T2201.
8. Apply for provincial disability programs. Your settlement worker can help with forms.
9. Connect with a disability organization for your child's condition.
10. Look into early intervention. Provincial programs are free and have the biggest impact for young children.

Looking Ahead

11. Open an RDSP once the DTC is approved.
12. Learn about your child's educational rights. You have the right to an IEP and accommodations.
13. Connect with other families. Isolation is the biggest challenge for newcomer disability families. Support groups exist in many languages.

• Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) covers basic and supplemental health care, including some therapy and medications, while you wait for provincial health coverage.
• Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) provides income support for the first year.
• Many refugee children have trauma that may look like disability or co-occur with disability. Trauma-informed assessment is important.
• Jordan's Principle applies to First Nations children who are refugees.

• Provincial health coverage varies. Some provinces cover you, others don't.
• Your child still has the right to attend school.
• If your child needs immediate medical care, go to the emergency room regardless of insurance status.
• Consider private health insurance that includes disability-related coverage.
• If your child is diagnosed while in Canada and you're applying for permanent residency, the diagnosis should NOT affect your application for most conditions (medical inadmissibility thresholds have been raised significantly).

• Medical inadmissibility rules have changed. The cost threshold was raised to approximately $25,000/year, meaning most people with disabilities are no longer found inadmissible.
• If a family member is found medically inadmissible, you can request a humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) consideration.
• Get legal advice from an immigration lawyer experienced in disability cases.