Elders Assistance Program

HONOURARIUM

Fort William First Nation Elders aged 65+ are eligible to receive an honourarium of $100 on a monthly basis.

Fort William First Nation registered members must meet the following criteria:

• applicants must be 65+.
• must provide a status number.
• must provide address and phone number.
• must provide direct deposit information from their bank.
• no retro pay will be issued/offered to clients applying after the qualifying age.

How to access the Elders Assistance Program:

• contact the Health Centre by phone, in person or by mail.
• complete intake/referral form.
• information will be sent via email to the Administration office.
• information will be registered into the administration system.
• the client will be issued honourarium via direct deposit on a monthly schedule.

BENEFITS

Eye Care

• Fort William First Nation Health Centre will provide assistance in the amount of $300 per year towards eye care for registered members of Fort William First Nation both on and off reserve who are 65+ years or older.

Eligibility:

• contact the Health Centre by phone or in person.
• complete Intake/Referral form.
• client submits an invoice, receipt or quote/receipt to the Health Centre.
• reimbursement to the client or payment to the provider will be issued.
• the client will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Dental

Fort William First Nation will provide assistance up to the amount of $2,500 per year towards dental care to registered members both on and off reserve who are 65+ years of age and older.

Eligibility:

Clients must meet the following criteria:

• dental expenses not covered by Non-Insured Health Benefits will qualify.
• denture repair or replacement not covered by Non-Insured Health Benefits.

Procedure:

• contact the Health Centre by phone or in person.
• complete intake/referral form.
• client submits invoice, receipt or quote to Health Centre.
• reimbursement to the client or payment to the provider will be issued.
• clients will be evaluated by a case by case basis.

Prescription Medication

Policy:  Fort William First Nation will provide assistance up to $300 a year/elder towards prescription medications to registered members both on and off reserve who are 65+ years of age or older.

Eligibility:

Clients must meet the following criteria:

• narcotic prescriptions medications will not be considered for coverage through Fort William First Nation Elders Assistance Program.

Procedure:

• contact the Health Centre by phone or in person.
• complete intake/referral form.
• clients submit invoice, receipt or quote to the Health Centre.
• reimbursement to the client or payment to the provider will be issued.
• clients will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Medical Supplies & Equipment

Policy:  Fort William First Nation will provide assistance for medical supplies and equipment up to $2,500 per year to registered members both on and off reserve, who are 65+ years of age.

Eligibility:

• Fort William First Nation will assist with the rental of medical supplies and equipment while a client is awaiting approval through Non-Insured Health Benefits.
• Fort William First Nation will provide assistance up to $2,500 not covered by Non-Insured Health Benefits (i.e. orthotics, custom footwear, hearing aids, wheelchairs (powered/manual), motorized scooters.

Procedure:

• contact the Health Centre by phone or in person.
• complete intake/referral form.
• clients submit invoice, receipt or quote to the Health Centre.
• request approved or denied.
• the client is informed of the decision and reason for the decision.
• payment will be issued to the provider only.
• clients will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

 

Home Making

Policy:  Fort William First Nation will provide referrals to Homemaking services, to clients in medical need.

Eligibility:

•  must live on reserve
• must provide a medical referral from a physician.

Procedure

• contact the Health Centre by phone or in person.
• complete intake/referral form.
• referrals will be made to Dilico Home and Community Care Program/or Fort William First Nation Social Service department for those in need.
• the client will then be contacted by either referring agency in regards to the request for assistance.

 

Transportation (Medical & Dental)

Policy:  to provide assistance to Fort William First Nation registered members both on and off reserve who are 60+ years of age and older in need of transportation to medical and dental appointments.

Eligibility:

• clients must be 60 years of age or older.
• living on and off reserve.

Procedure:

• contact the Health Centre by phone or in person at least 24 hours in advance of the appointment.
• taxi slips will be issued.
• the client will then be contacted in regards to the request for assistance.
• clients will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

 

Emergency Essential Appliance Repair or Replacement

Policy:   To provide financial assistance to Fort William First Nation registered members both on and off reserve who are 65 years plus in age, in need of essential appliance repair or replacement.  The replacement will not exceed the amount of $600 per appliance.

Eligibility:

• contact the Health Centre by phone or in person.
• complete the intake/referral form.
• home visit and inspection completed determining the need for repair or replacement.
• the client will then be contacted in regards to the request for assistance.
• clients will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Bereavement

Policy:  To provide financial assistance to Fort William First Nation registered band members both on and off reserve in the amount of $5,000 to assist with funeral expenses.   Financial assistance will be provided at a flat rate of $2,000 for a luncheon.  This can be arranged by the family with the support of the Health Centre staff.

Eligibility:

Clients must meet the following criteria:

• the deceased must be a registered member of Fort William First Nation with proof of registry (Status Card Number).
• must provide a copy of the death certificate (original copy).
• pregnancy after 20 weeks or more are eligible with a full funeral service and burial.
• when funeral expenses are covered by other resources the $5,000 will be issued to the Executor of the Estate.

Procedure:

• contact the Health Centre by phone or in person.
• complete the intake referral form (name of deceased).
• death certificate (original copy) must be provided.
• funeral home information (name, address, phone number).
• funeral service information (date, time).
• payment will be issued to the funeral home if less than $5,000 remaining balance will be issued to the Executor of the Estate.

Medical Travel

Policy:  to provide assistance to Fort William First Nation registered members both on and off reserve with limited financial assistance for medical travel.  In most instances airfare, accommodations, meals, and taxi are covered by Non-Insured Health Benefits for both the client and the escort. Clients needing further financial assistance will be entitled to a $125 disbursement to cover any other incidentals; this disbursement will be available to escorts who are registered members of Fort William First Nation only. Travel for medical treatments not prescribed by a medical physician will not be covered.

Eligibility:

• Fort William First Nation registered members must provide proof of the appointment by letter of confirmation from their attending physician or referring physician.
• if the client requires an escort to the appointment, the referral letter from the attending physician or referring physician must state that this is required.

Procedure:

• contact the Health Centre by phone, fax or in person.
• complete the intake/referral form.
• complete the Fort William First Nation client travel package.
• client submits the necessary documentation to the Health Centre (referral letter that contains the appointment date, time, location if an escort is required.
• a referral is sent to Non-Insured Health Benefits for purposes of obtaining approval for travel expenses (airfare, accommodations, meals, taxi).
• arrangements for travel are processed through the Non-Insured Health Benefits office.
• request for approval or denial (with explanation) is faxed back to Fort William First Nation, with copies of travel itinerary including meals, accommodation, and taxi.
• the client is given copies of these arrangements with an explanation if required.

Emergency Medical Travel

Policy:  to provide financial assistance to Fort William First Nation members who experience unforeseen emergency medical travel outside of the existing policy.

Eligibility:

• Fort William First Nation registered members residing on and off reserve.
• must be considered to be life-threatening.
• Fort William First Nation will cover airfare costs for up to two immediate family members.

Procedure:

• contact the Emergency on-call worker at 807.472.7701.
• the referral is sent to the Health Centre staff and administration for processing.
• ongoing follow-up will continue as support for the family.

Yard Maintenance

Snow Removal

Policy: To provide assistance with snow removal to Fort William First Nation registered members on reserve.

Eligibility:

Fort William First Nation members will receive this service if they meet the following conditions:

• Persons with disabilities (confirmation letter from a physician).
• Chronic Illnesses – Heart or Stroke Condition (confirmation letter from a physician).
• 65 years or older.
• Must reside on Fort William First Nation.

Procedure:

• Contact the Health Center by phone or in person.
• Complete Intake/ Referral Form.
• Complete Snow Removal Application Form.
• Client submits the necessary documentation to the Health Center (a status card, date of birth and address)
• Referral to maintenance in charge of snow removal for Fort William First Nation will be made.
• The client will then be contacted in regards to the request for assistance
• Snow removal will be provided on a need basis.

Grass Cutting

Policy: To provide assistance with grass cutting to Fort William First Nation registered members on reserve 65 plus.

Fort William First Nation members will receive this service if they meet the following conditions:

• 65 years or older.
• Must reside on Fort William First Nation.

Procedure:

• Contact the Health Center by phone or in person.
• Complete Intake/ Referral Form.
• Client submits the necessary documentation to the Health Center (a status card, date of birth and address).
• Referral to maintenance in charge of grass cutting for Fort William First Nation will be made.
• The client will then be contacted in regards to a request for assistance.
• Grass cutting will be provided on a need basis.