As of today, 159,000 public servants are on strike across the country. Here is information on programs and services that will be affected at Indigenous Services.
According to ISC, people may experience longer wait times for Non-Insured Health Benefits in the following areas: call centres, processing times for ‘prior approval, predetermination, appeals and client reimbursements, medical transportation.
For NIHB medical travel, ISC is asking for you to ‘submit medical transportation requests to NIHB or your community MT coordinator as soon as possible to allow more time for travel arrangements.’ Click here for more information.
Jordan’s Principle: ISC says applications for Jordan’s Principle will be ‘prioritized’ and all other requests may see delays in processing. All other calls and applications will be handled in priority sequence and may have delays in response. Click here for more information.
For Jordan’s Principle, if your need is urgent, ISC is asking that you contact the national call centre at 1-855-JP-CHILD (1-855-572-4453) and select the following menu options: Press 1 – to submit a request and press 1 again – if your child could be harmed.
Inuit Child First Initiative: ISC says there may be delays because of the strike to program which ‘ensures children have access to the essential government-funded health, social and educational products and supports.’ ISC says due to staff reduction, ‘urgent and time-sensitive calls and applications will be prioritized.
For the Inuit Child First Initiative, ISC says if your request is urgent or time-sensitive, please contact the national call centre at 1-855-JP-CHILD (1-855-572-4453), select the following menu options: Press 1 – To submit a request, and press 1 again – If your child could be harmed. Click here for more information.
For Indian Status or renewing your Indian Status card, ISC says there may be some delays because offices could be closed. According to ISC, you can apply by mail for a ‘secure status card’ using these application forms. Find more information here.
Information on delays for treaty annuities, estates and trusts isn’t explained on the government website. More information has been requested and will be released when it’s received.
There are services that ISC says won’t be affected by the strike including the Hope for Wellness Line which offers help and crisis intervention to Indigenous Peoples. The toll-free number is 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca
ISC says the First Nations Child and Family Services division which funds ‘prevention and protection services’ won’t be affected by the strike.
The government says the following programs will also not be affected by the strike: support to Indigenous businesses, emergency management and funding programs including those for health, education and infrastructure.
