Services in Ontario

Getting benefits and services

Find help in your community

FCJ Refugee Centre

The FCJ Refugee Centre has services for refugees and others who are at risk because of their immigration status. They can:

  • help with paperwork, translation, and interpretation
  • make referals to immigration and refugee lawyers
  • give information about social services, skills development, and counselling

They also have free information sessions about hearings and appealing to the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD).

Website

fcjrefugeecentre.org/about-us

Contact Information

Phone: 416-469-9754

Legal clinics

Legal Aid Ontario funds legal clinics across Ontario. There are two types of legal clinics: community legal clinics and specialty legal clinics.

Community legal clinics provide free legal services to people with low incomes who live in their area. Search for the clinic in your area using your postal code. Most help with:

  • income assistance
  • tenant rights
  • employment problems

Some clinics can help with immigration and refugee problems or debt and consumer problems.

Some specialty legal clinics provide free legal services to specific groups of people with low incomes:

Some specialty legal clinics provide free legal services in only certain areas of law:

Website

legalaid.on.ca/services/legal-clinics

Contact Information

Phone: 416-979-1446 Toll-free: 1-800-668-8258 TTY: 416-598-8867 Toll-free TTY: 1-866-641-8867

Settlement.Org

This website provides newcomers with information and resources to settle in Ontario, Canada in the areas of:

  • immigration and citizenship
  • health
  • employment
  • education
  • daily life

There is also a directory that can help you find a settlement agency near you.

Website

settlement.org

Government of Canada – Find a Panel Physician

This directory helps refugee claimants find a doctor in their city who is approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to perform their immigration medical exam.

Service Canada

Service Canada is a central place to access a wide range of government services and benefits, including Employment Insurance, Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan, Social Insurance Numbers, and passports. There are Service Canada offices across Ontario.

Service Canada’s Benefits Finder suggests benefits from the Canadian and provincial governments that you may be able to get.

Website

canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/portfolio/service-canada.html

Contact Information

Toll-free: 1-800-206-7218 TTY: 1-800-529-3742

Justice for Children and Youth

Justice for Children and Youth (JFCY) gives free legal help to children and youth in Ontario. JFCY serves

  • children under age 18
  • youth under age 25 who are experiencing homelessness
  • youth under age 25 who arrived in Canada as children and who have issues with their immigration status
  • parents of children with immigration issues that need to be registered for school
  • people and community groups who work with young people

JFCY provides services in many areas of children’s law. For example, youth criminal justice, education, mental health, human rights, provincial offences, and immigration.

JFCY offers 30 minutes of free legal advice over the phone. They may be able to give you more help or refer you to another organization, depending on your situation.

Website

jfcy.org/en

Contact Information

Phone: 416-920-1633 Toll-free: 1-866-999-5329

Refugee HealthLine

This service connects refugee claimants with a healthcare service provider who can assist with initial medical assessments and referrals to other health services. It is not an emergency or crisis line. 

Website

welcomeontario.ca

Contact Information

Toll-free: 1-866-286-4770

CAMH – New Beginnings Clinic for Refugees

CAMH offers psychiatric consultation and possible brief culturally sensitive interventions to refugee claimaints during their first 2 years in Toronto. A doctor’s referral is required.

Website

camh.ca/en/your-care/programs-and-services/new-beginnings-clinic-for-refugees

Contact Information

Phone: 416-535-8501 Toll-free: 1-800-463-2338

Women’s College Hospital – Crossroads Refugee Health Clinic

Women’s College Hospital offers a Crossroads Clinic that provides medical services to refugee claimaints during their first 2 years in Toronto. They provide a range of services including:

  • management of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension
  • full primary care for children including immunizations
  • pregnancy care
  • family planning advice
  • annual health exams
  • assistance with issues like sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety
  • arranging appointments with specialists
  • health education 

Website

womenscollegehospital.ca/programs-and-services/crossroads-clinic

Contact Information

Phone: 416-323-6031

Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT)

The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT) is a community-based organization that helps victims of torture, war, genocide, and crimes against humanity. They provide treatment, tools, and support that allow refugees to heal from trauma and become active community members.

Website

ccvt.org

Contact Information

Phone: 416-363-1066

Ontario Coalition of Service Providers for Refugee Claimants

This website has a list of settlement organizations that can help people making a refugee claim.

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