Submit a request under Jordan's Principle
Important
If a child needs immediate care, please call 911 or your local emergency services number, or visit the nearest health facility.
Urgent requests
If you have an urgent request that meets the following interim criteria, please contact the Jordan's Principle Call Centre at 1-855-JP-CHILD (1-855-572-4453). This could include:
- life threatening cases
- cases involving end-of-life or palliative care
- risk of suicide
- risk to physical safety
- no access to food or basic necessities
- risk of entering the child welfare system
- caregivers and children fleeing from domestic violence
This interim criteria of urgent was clarified by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in its November 21, 2024 summary ruling.
Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and there may be some time-sensitive requests that are urgent, but are not covered by the above.
Urgent requests for products, services or supports under Jordan's Principle must be directly linked to the child's urgent circumstances.
Potential delays
Due to the Canada Post strike that began on November 15, 2024, there may be delays related to applications or reimbursements that are sent by mail.
If you would prefer to receive reimbursement through direct deposit, contact your regional focal point to find out how.
On this page
Available 24 hours, 7 days a week
- Jordan's Principle Call Centre: 1-855-JP-CHILD (1-855-572-4453)
- teletypewriter: 1-866-553-0554
What is covered
Jordan's Principle responds to unmet needs of First Nations children no matter where they live in Canada.
Different levels of government fund different services for First Nations children. As a result, it can be hard to figure out how to access necessary products, services and supports.
Under Jordan's Principle, we can:
- inform families about the help available for their child and how to access it
- coordinate access to products, services and supports
- provide funding when it's needed to make sure products, services and supports are accessed without delay
What is funded
Each child's situation is unique. Please confirm coverage in advance with your regional focal point for Jordan's Principle.
Funding can help with a wide range of health, social and educational needs, including the unique needs that First Nations Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA children and youth and those with disabilities may have. Some examples of what has been funded under Jordan's Principle include:
Health
- mobility aids
- wheelchair ramps
- addiction services
- services from Elders
- mental health services
- specialized hearing aids
- traditional healing services
- services for children in care
- assessments and screenings
- transportation to appointments
- medical supplies and equipment
- long-term care for children with specialized needs
- therapeutic services for individuals or groups (speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy)
Social
- social worker
- land-based activities
- personal support worker
- specialized summer camps
- respite care (individual or group)
- specialized programs based on cultural beliefs and practices
Education
- school supplies
- tutoring services
- teaching assistants
- specialized school transportation
- psycho-educational assessments
- assistive technologies and electronics
Who is covered
On November 25, 2020, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) released a ruling about Jordan's Principle eligibility. A child under the age of majority in their province or territory of residence can access Jordan's Principle, if they permanently reside in Canada and if the child meets one of the following criteria:
- is registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act
- has one parent or guardian who is registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act
- is recognized by their nation for the purposes of Jordan's Principle
- is ordinarily resident on reserve
The eligibility above replaces the CHRT interim motion ruling of February 2019.
To find out more about how to confirm with a First Nations official that a child is recognized by their nation (for the purposes of Jordan's Principle), contact your regional focal point for Jordan's Principle or the Jordan's Principle Call Centre.
If you are a First Nations leader or official, looking for more information about what this means to your nation, please contact your regional office or regional focal point for Jordan's Principle.
Ordinarily resident on reserve means that an Indigenous child:
- lives on reserve
- normally lives on reserve even if the child or one of the members of their household (such as a sibling, parent, extended family living with child) may have been required to spend some time away temporarily from the community to access services such as health care or education where there are no other comparable services available in the community
- was ordinarily resident on reserve immediately prior to accessing Jordan's Principle
- is a dependent of a family that maintains a primary residence on reserve
- returns to live on reserve with parents, guardians or caregivers during the year, even if they live elsewhere while attending school or to receive medical care or other services
- meets student eligibility requirements in Yukon Territory
A child taken into care of a Child and family services agency or into a kinship or informal agreement is considered ordinarily resident on reserve where:
- the child's parent or guardian lived on reserve at the time the child was taken into care
or - a child goes into the care of a guardian who lives on reserve
Requests for Inuit children can be made through the Inuit Child First Initiative.
Please contact us if you're not sure how to help an Indigenous child who needs access to products, supports and services.
Who to contact
Update
Requests for access to products, services and supports for Inuit children through the Inuit Child First Initiative can also be sent to the regional focal points listed on this page.
Update: On September 6, 2019, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) released a decision related to compensation for certain individuals under Jordan's Principle. This is a complex decision which the Government of Canada is reviewing. Although you may have questions about this, the 24/7 Jordan's Principle toll-free line and regional contacts, are intended to help with requests for products, services and supports, and not for requests related to the CHRT order of compensation of individuals.
For more information:
Contact us to:
- get more information about Jordan's Principle
- request funding for a product, service or support
- get copies of forms
- seek reimbursements
- start an appeal
You can reach us through:
- Jordan's Principle focal points across Canada
- local service coordinators for First Nations communities
Regional focal points across Canada
If you can't reach a regional focal point or you are seeking assistance after the listed business hours, please contact the Jordan's Principle Call Centre.
National Office
Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm Eastern time
Indigenous Services Canada
JPCaseMgt-GestCasPJ@sac-isc.gc.ca
Atlantic Region (New Brunswick, Newfoundland , Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island)
Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm Atlantic time
For requests:
1-833-652-0210
principedejordanatl-jordansprincipleatl@sac-isc.gc.ca
For payment inquiries:
jordansprincipleatl_finance-principedejordan@sac-isc.gc.ca
Quebec
Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm Eastern time
For requests:
principedejordan-qc-jordanprinciple@sac-isc.gc.ca
For payment inquiries:
principedejordanfacturation-qc-jordanprincipleinvoicing@sac-isc.gc.ca
Ontario
Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm Eastern time
For requests:
1-833-442-2429
jordansprincipleon-principedejordan@sac-isc.gc.ca
For payment inquiries:
1-833-442-2429
principedejordanfinance-on-financejordansprinciple@sac-isc.gc.ca
Manitoba
Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm Central time
For requests:
jordansprinciplemb-principedejordan@sac-isc.gc.ca
For payment inquiries:
Saskatchewan
Monday to Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm Central time
For requests:
1-833-752-4453
principedejordansk_admission-jordansprinciplesk_intake@sac-isc.gc.ca
For payment inquiries:
1-833-752-4453
jordansprinciplesask_finance-principedejordan@sac-isc.gc.ca
Alberta
Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm Mountain time
For requests and payments:
1-833-632-4453
jordansprincipleab-principedejordan@sac-isc.gc.ca
British Columbia
Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm Pacific time
For requests:
778-951-0716
principedejordancb-bcjordansprinciple@sac-isc.gc.ca
For payment inquiries:
778-951-0716
paiementsprincipedejordancb-bcjordansprinciplepayments@sac-isc.gc.ca
Northern Region - Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut
Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm Eastern time
For requests:
1-866-848-5846
principedejordanrn-nrjordansprinciple@sac-isc.gc.ca
For payment inquiries:
1-866-848-5846
principedejordanfinancern-nrfinancejordansprinciple@sac-isc.gc.ca
Who can send requests
A request for a child or children in the same family or with the same guardian can be submitted by:
- a parent or guardian of a First Nations or Indigenous child who ordinarily resides on reserve
- a First Nations, or Indigenous child who ordinarily resides on reserve, at the age of consent in their province or territory of residence. A child at the age of consent can make decisions on their own about the care they need. Age of consent varies by province or territory.
- an authorized representative of the child, parent or guardian
- written or verbal consent must be provided by the parent or guardian
An authorized representative is an individual or business that the requester has given authorized, written permission to act on their behalf with respect to a Jordan's Principle request.
A request for a group of children from multiple families or guardians can be submitted by:
- a parent or guardian of First Nations or Indigenous children who ordinarily reside on reserve
- a community or Tribal Council
- a community organization or institution
- a service coordinator, navigator or case manager
They can request products, services and supports, such as:
- respite care
- wheelchair ramps
- support programs
- educational assistants
- transportation to school
- local therapeutic specialists
How to send a request
Contact us through our call centre, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or your regional focal point to start your request to access services through Jordan's Principle.
The call centre or your regional focal point can provide copies of the forms to start a request or assist you with filling them in.
You can also obtain copies of the forms by clicking and downloading:
How to open the PDF forms
These forms won't open on a mobile device, you will need a computer.
Don't double-click the PDFs. Right click instead.
To access these PDF forms:
- Install Adobe Reader 10+Opens in a new browser window or an alternate reader if you don't already have one
- Download and save the PDF file to your computerDownload and save the PDF file to your computer
- Right click on the PDF file you have saved on your computer, select "Open with", choose your PDF reader
We want to make the application process as easy to understand as possible.
Having certain information ready when you contact us can help if you are seeking access to products, services or supports. We start by working with you to gather the basic information to make the request.
To help us confirm the child's eligibility, we may need one of these:
- name, date of birth or registration number of a First Nations child or parent who is registered under the Indian Act
- name and date of birth of a First Nations child or parent who is not registered but is entitled to Indian status under the Indian Act
- documents confirming a child ordinarily lives on a reserve
- confirmation that your child is recognized by their First Nation for the purposes of Jordan's Principle – visit Confirmation of recognition for more information
- as a parent or guardian, you could provide a copy of the Confirmation of recognition form completed by a First Nation's designated or deemed official
- you can also choose to provide consent to Indigenous Services Canada to seek confirmation of recognition from your First Nation on your behalf by completing the Consent to communicate form
- if you are a service coordinator, a First Nations leader or official looking for more information about what this means to your First Nation, visit Confirmation of recognition
Contact us to obtain copies of these forms.
You will also need to send in a document that shows how the requested product, service or support meets the child's identified health, social or educational need. This document could be from an Elder, knowledge keeper or professional in that field of expertise.
Each request is determined based on the best interests of the child, substantive equality and culturally relevant service provision. If you are unsure of what you should submit, visit document needed for a request or contact your regional focal point.
If you are seeking reimbursement, follow the steps listed in Step 7. Reimbursements.
Processing requests
The Jordan's Principle regional focal point in your area will review the completed request. A decision will be sent to you in writing after the request is processed.
How long it takes to process a request
Requests for a child or children in the same family or with the same guardian:
- urgent requests (the child's current health or safety is a concern) are processed within 12 hours of receiving all necessary information
- all other requests are processed within 48 hours of receiving all necessary information
- if we do not have enough information to confirm the type of product, service or support the child needs, more time may be necessary to get this information; however, if the child requires an assessment of their need(s), this can be paid for immediately under Jordan's Principle
Requests for a group of children from multiple families or guardians:
- urgent requests are processed within 48 hours of receiving all necessary information
- all other requests are processed within 1 week of receiving all necessary information
Approved requests are managed in 1 of 2 ways:
- where possible, we arrange for the products, services or supports to be provided directly to the child, or children. In these situations, there is no cost to the family, guardian, child or authorized representative and reimbursement is arranged directly with the service provider or vendor
- if the family, guardian, child or authorized representative has already paid for the approved product, service or support, then reimbursement of these expenses will be provided
Denied request
If your request is denied, you may appeal the decision up to 1 year from the date the request was denied.
Reimbursements
Each child's situation is unique. For this reason it is important to confirm coverage in advance with your Jordan's Principle regional focal point.
Reimbursement may be provided if the approved product, service or support has already been paid.
Requesting a reimbursement
A reimbursement form is needed:
- to request reimbursement for costs already paid
- for service providers and vendors to request direct payment for services rendered
Follow these 3 steps to request a reimbursement:
- contact us so we can help you start the process and confirm that the product, service or support will be funded
- complete a reimbursement form. We can send you the form and help you fill it in
- send the completed reimbursement form to the Jordan's Principle regional focal point in your area and include all relevant supporting documents
Receiving the payments
Requests for a child or children in the same family or with the same guardian:
- the parent or guardian normally gets the payment if the child is under the age of majority in their province or territory of residence
- children over age 16 may get the payment if they submitted the request
- a vendor or service provider may be paid directly
Request for a group of children from multiple families or guardians:
- payment will be made to the community or group that made the request
- vendors or service providers may be paid directly
How to appeal decisions
Appeals to decisions under Jordan's Principle can be sent to regional focal points across Canada. They will help you start the appeal and work with you throughout the process.
If a request is denied, the requester may appeal the decision within 1 year of the date of denial. To do so, they must send in a written request to their regional Jordan's Principle focal point.
At a minimum, the request for appeal must contain:
- the child's name and date of birth
- the product or service requested
- the date of denial and a copy of the Jordan's Principle denial letter (if available)
Although it is not required to begin an appeal, you may also include additional information, such as:
- assessments
- information showing that the request will help ensure:
- substantive equality
- access to a culturally appropriate service
- meet the best interests of the child
New or additional information is not needed in order to start an appeal. The appeal process can take up to 30 business days.
Sending a request for appeal
An individual can appeal a decision on behalf of an eligible child as described in Step 2. Who is covered, including
- a parent or guardian of that child
- a First Nations child, or an Indigenous child ordinarily resident on reserve at the Age of Consent in their province or territory of residence
- an authorized representative of the child, parent or guardian
Requests for appeals for a group of children from multiple families or guardians can be submitted by:
- the community or group that submitted the request
Please contact us if you have:
- any questions
- new information about any request under Jordan's Principle that was submitted or denied between 2007 and 2017
For more information
- Jordan's Principle regional focal points across Canada
- local service coordinators in First Nations communities or organizations across Canada (contact your local Jordan's Principle regional focal point to get this information)
- Jordan's Principle Call Centre: 1-855-JP-CHILD (1-855-572-4453), open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- teletypewriter: 1-866-553-0554