Resources for Recently Diagnosed Critically Ill Patients

• If you have Employer Sick Benefits, most government income sources require private insurance to be exhausted before other programs can be accessed.
• If your Employee Benefits have been exhausted and you have worked in Canada, check for Canada Pension Plan Disability eligibility or Employment Insurance eligibility.
• If your Employee Benefits have been exhausted and you have not worked in Canada, apply to Ontario Works. If your disability/illness will last for more than one year, you may be eligible for Ontario Disability Support Plan.

• If you do not have Employer Sicks Benefits, and you have not worked in Canada, apply to Ontario Works. If your disability/illness will last for more than one year, you may be eligible for Ontario Disability Support Plan.

Child Care Fee Subsidy
519-759-3330
Provides assistance with child care costs at licensed programs in the community, so that families can work, attend school or place a child with special or social needs. Families who are eligible will receive either full or partial subsidy.

In some instances, it may be advisable to make application for financial support and request medical documentation simultaneously.

Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits
Service Canada
195 Henry St., Unit 6B, Brantford, Ontario
Toll-Free: 1-800-622-6232
Employment insurance (EI) sickness benefits can provide you with financial assistance if you can’t work due to illness, injury, quarantine or any medical condition that prevents you from working. Eligibility and benefits vary depending on individual’s contribution circumstances. Please consult your physician. A medical certificate is required.

Employment Insurance Caregiving Benefits
Service Canada
195 Henry St., Unit 6B, Brantford, Ontario
Toll-Free: 1-800-622-6232
EI caregiving benefits provide financial assistance while you’re away from work to care for or support a critically ill or injured person or someone needing end-of-life care. As a caregiver, you don’t have to be related to or live with the person you care for or support, but they must consider you to be like a family member. Types of caregiving benefits include: family caregiver benefit for children (up to 35 weeks); family caregiver benefit for adults
(up to 15 weeks); and compassionate care benefits (up to 26 weeks). A medical certificate is required.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) - Disability
Service Canada
195 Henry St., Unit 6B, Brantford, Ontario
Toll-Free: 1-800-622-6232
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefit is a monthly payment you can receive if you:

• Are under 65;
• Have made enough contributions into the CPP;
• Have a mental or physical disability that regularly stops you from doing any type of substantially gainful work; or
• Have a disability that is long-term and of indefinite duration, or is likely to result in death

There are two types of CPP disability benefits:

• CPP disability benefit (under the age of 65, and must be not receiving the CPP retirement pension);
• CPP post-retirement disability benefit (from age 60 to 65, and must be already receiving the CPP retirement pension for more than 15 months or become disabled after starting to receive the retirement pension.

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
195 Henry St Brantford, Ontario N3S 5C9
519-756-5790
The Ontario Disability Support Program helps individuals with disabilities who are in financial need pay for living expenses, such as basic needs and housing. This is called Income Support. Employment Support helps individuals with disabilities who can and want to work find work, keep a job, start a business or advance their career. The Ontario Disability Support Program is managed and delivered by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Please consult your physician. A medical certificate is required.

Ontario Works
225 Colborne Street, Unit 101
P.O. Box 845
Brantford ON N2T 2H2
519-759-3330

Provides financial and employment assistance to individuals and families who are in temporary need of:

• Money to help you and your family members with living expenses, including food, and rent
• Health benefits for you and your eligible family members

The Ontario Works Program is managed and delivered by the City of Brantford, Family & Income Stability Department. Residents of the City of Brantford or the County of Brant can apply.

St. Leonard’s Community Services – Housing Services
519-759-8830
Provides direct links to both internal and extrenal services that meet their individualized needs, including internal collaboration and referrals to employment supports, crisis intervention and addictions and mental health services, as well as connection to primary care and psychiatry needs. The agency also provides a Supportive Housing and rent supplement program (in partnership with the City of Brantford and Ontario Health). This program assists individuals in securing safe and affordable housing.

Salvation Army Housing Resource Centre (HRC)
226-227-7692
Provides assistance to housed and homeless individuals in Brantford-Brant to ensure that those at risk of homelessness maintain their housing and those experiencing and those experiencing homelessness have access to emergency shelter and support to find permanent housing.

211
211 is a three-digit phone number, 2-1-1, and website to provide information on community, social, health and government services. It is designed to help residents find support to be resilient and resourceful, no matter what life
situation is challenging them. 211 is available help residents find the right service in their community that meets their needs. Service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free, anonymous and confidential. 211’s phone service is available in over 150 languages. Coverage is available Ontario-wide for phone and web.

Health Care Connect
Toll-Free: 1-800-445-1822
Health Care Connect helps Ontarians who are without a family health care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) to find one. People without a family health care provider are referred to a family doctor or a nurse
practitioner who is accepting new patients in their community.

Member of Parliament for Brant (MP)
Office of Larry Brock
larry.brock@parl.gc.ca
519-754-4300
Provides advocacy and problem resolution supports related to Federal government programs. If you have any difficulty printing off forms from websites, please contact the office for assistance.

Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP)
Office of Will Bouma
Will.bouma@pc.ola.org
519-759-0361
Provides assistance with any Provincial programs and services. If you have difficulty printing off forms from websites, please contact the office for assistance.

Living with a Disability
Provides an overview and links to applications for Canada Pension Plan, children’s benefits, tax information for people with disabilities, Disability Pensions for Veterans and Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSP).

Speak Up: Advanced Care Planning
End of life care and living wills, Hospice Palliative Care, Substitute Decision Makers. Website offering end of life planning information

Canadian Cancer Society
brant@ontario.cancer.ca
Peer Support: 1-800-263-6750
Cancer Information Service: 1-888-939-3333
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to end cancer and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer. The purpose of the organization is to provide services to cancer patients, educate the public about cancer and support research.

The following services are available to all cancer patients:

• Cancer information services
• Peer Support
• Community services locator to help find information for more than 4,000 cancer-related services and resources nationwide
• Transportation for cancer patients to cancer clinics for treatment or follow-up

Peer Support is a program designed to offer emotional support from those who have had a similar experience. Support is available in person, by telephone, or through support groups.

Cancer Information Service provides information on types of cancer, prevention, treatment, early detection and referral to community services.

Home and Community Care Support Services
Toll-free: 1-800-810-0000
Home and Community Care Support Services organizations coordinate in-home and community-based care for thousands of patients across the province every day. They access patient care needs, and deliver in-home and
community-based services to support your health and well-being. They also provide access and referrals to other community services, and manage Ontario’s long-term care home placement process.

Victorian Order of Nurses (VON)
519-759-7750
VON Brantford provides support for older adults in frail and failing in their homes and communities. VON Brantford offers caregiver supports, exercise and falls prevention classes, in-home nursing care, nursing clinics, palliative care services and programs, home assessments and safety recommendations, and telephone assurance. Please consult the Home and Community Care Support Services for a referral.

Revera
519-756-4606
Revera provides nursing, personal and home supports, therapy and rehabilitation to people in their homes. Please consult the Home and Community Care Support Services for a referral.

Stedman Community Hospice
519-751-7096
Provides Hospice care to individuals who are living with a progressive, life-threatening illness. In addition to the residential program, Hospice also provides support to those living at home through the Supportive Care Outreach Inter-disciplinary team, a Day Wellness program, Grief and Bereavement individual and group support, and community education opportunities. Please consult the Home and Community Care Support Services for a referral.

Canadian Red Cross (Brantford Branch)
519-753-4189
Provides programs such as Meals on Wheels, and transportation for individuals (who are frail, elderly or who have a disability).

Brantford General Hospital
519-751-5544 ext. 2395
The Brantford General is an acute care facility, providing all of Brantford and Brant County’s specialty programs and services for our 120,000+ residents. Patient Experience Office contact information provided, quickly able to
address concerns and Hospital Policy.

Consulting a Palliative Care Physician
Anyone can request to consult with a Palliative Care Physician. Ask your family doctor for a referral.

Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Program
Toll-Free: 1-866-811-9893
This program supports individuals with their drug prescription costs. There are specific eligibility requirements for this program. There may be a co-pay requirement for eligible participants.

Exceptional Access Program (through Ontario Trillium Drug Benefit program)
Toll-Free: 1-866-811-9893
Provides coverage for exceptional drugs not normally covered through the Ontario Trillium Drug Benefit program. Please consult your physician. Medical confirmation of need is required.

Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
General Information: health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ohip
Programs and Services: health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs
Toll-Free: 1-866-532-3161
This is the Ontario Health Care Program; it is what funds our hospitals, doctors and our overall healthcare to all Ontarians.

Assistive Devices Program (ADP)
Toll-Free: 1-800-268-6021
This program helps people with long-term physical disabilities pay for customized equipment, such as wheelchairs and hearing aids. The ADP also helps cover the cost of specialized supplies, such as those used with ostomies. Please consult your physician. Medical confirmation is required.

Brantford Lift

519-752-4444

Brant Taxi
519-752-1010 (Murray St)

City Taxi
519-759-7800

Paris Taxi
519- 442-7873