1. Make sure you’re eligible for IFHP coverage

After you make a refugee claim in Canada, you will have an eligibility interview. At the interview, an officer decides if you're eligible to make a refugee claim.

If you're found eligible to make a refugee claim, you get a Refugee Protection Identity Document (RPID). The RPID lets you get healthcare through IFHP.

Sometimes you have to wait for your eligibility interview. In that case, you get an Acknowledgement of Claim letter (AOC). You can use the AOC to get healthcare through IFHP while you wait for your interview.

Your IFHP healthcare coverage ends if your refugee claim is:

• withdrawn or
• abandoned.

Not eligible to make a refugee claim

If you're found not eligible to make a refugee claim, the officer may tell you that you can apply for a PRRA. If the officer invites you to apply for the PRRA, you get an RPID and IFHP coverage.

If you're found not eligible to make a refugee claim, the officer may tell you that you cannot apply for a PRRA. If that happens, you cannot get healthcare through IFHP. If you need medical care, you will need to:

• find a healthcare facility that treats uninsured patients, or
• pay for the care you need until you leave Canada.

Discretionary IFHP

Some people might be able to get discretionary IFHP coverage to pay for an urgent or necessary health-care cost. For example, you're in a refugee-like situation or you have other strong reasons for needing help. Approval is not guaranteed. Your community legal clinic may help you apply.

Claim rejected

Your IFHP coverage continues until you must leave Canada after:

• your refugee claim or PRRA is refused, or
• you appeal the negative decision and your appeal is refused.

Claim accepted

If your refugee claim or, in most cases, your PRRA is accepted, you have protected person status. As a protected person, you can apply for OHIP. Apply right away as your IFHP coverage ends 90 days after your claim is accepted. Learn how to apply for OHIP in Step 5.