Services in Ontario
Getting benefits and services
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).
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:
- Advocacy Centre for the Elderly
- Aboriginal Legal Services
- ARCH Disability Law Centre
- Black Legal Action Centre
- Centre Francophone du Grand Toronto
- Chinese and South Asian Legal Clinic
- Centre for Spanish Speaking Peoples
- HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario
- Justice for Children and Youth
- South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario
Some specialty legal clinics provide free legal services in only certain areas of law:
Website
legalaid.on.ca/services/legal-clinicsContact Information
Phone: 416-979-1446 Toll-free: 1-800-668-8258 TTY: 416-598-8867 Toll-free TTY: 1-866-641-8867Settlement.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.orgGovernment 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.
Website
canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/portfolio/service-canada.htmlContact Information
Toll-free: 1-800-206-7218 TTY: 1-800-529-3742Justice for Children and Youth (JFCY)
JFCY is a legal clinic that helps people who are younger than 18. They can give 30 minutes of free legal advice by phone in many areas of law including criminal, education, and human rights.
They can also help people younger than 25 who:
- came to Canada as children and have problems related to immigration status, or
- are homeless
For immigration law issues, contact JFCY’s Childhood Arrivals Support & Advocacy program. Parents can call if they’re having problems registering their child in school because of their immigration status.
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.
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-refugeesContact Information
Phone: 416-535-8501 Toll-free: 1-800-463-2338Women’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-clinicContact Information
Phone: 416-323-6031Canadian 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.
Ontario Coalition of Service Providers for Refugee Claimants
This website has a list of settlement organizations that can help people making a refugee claim.
Website
refugeehouses.ca