This guide covers Indian status, the Non-Insured Health Benefits program, Jordan’s Principle, the Inuit Child First Initiative and the CRA benefits you unlock by filing a tax return.

The short answer

Registered First Nations people and recognized Inuit living in Canada can get health coverage the province does not pay for through Non-Insured Health Benefits. First Nations and Inuit children can request extra health, social and education supports through Jordan’s Principle and the Inuit Child First Initiative. And every Indigenous person, including Métis, needs to file a tax return each year to receive CRA benefits.

The federal directory lists no single cash payment for Indigenous Peoples. The value comes from coverage, services and the federal benefits everyone can get, which many people miss by not filing. The Government of Canada directory lists the official programs.

The main programs at a glance

Sources: Indigenous Services Canada and CRA pages listed at the end, checked November 6, 2026. Some communities and health authorities deliver these programs under their own agreements.

Indian status and the status card

Indian status is the legal standing of a person registered under the Indian Act. It is not the same as a status card. You must be registered before you can get a card, but you can apply for both at once.

Indigenous Services Canada’s service standard is 6 months for a complete registration application, and the average processing time is under 5 months. If it needs more information, it can take up to 2 years or more. A secure status card has a service standard of 8 to 12 weeks, with an average of 4 weeks.

• Where to apply. In person at a regional office, at your First Nations office or a trusted source if they offer registration services, or by mail.
• Which form. Separate application forms exist for applicants 16 or older, for children 15 or younger and dependent adults, and for people already registered who only need a card.
• Use a computer. The PDF forms will not open on a mobile device.

From June 13, 2026, the government applies the BC Supreme Court decision in Nicholas v. Attorney General (Canada) to applications from people with sufficient connection to British Columbia. If that might apply to you, read the Indian status page before you apply.

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)

NIHB pays for health goods and services that provincial or territorial plans and private plans do not cover. To be eligible, you must live in Canada and be a registered First Nations person, an Inuk recognized by an Inuit land claim organization, or a child under 2 whose parent is an NIHB client. Coverage applies only to goods and services obtained in Canada.

What it covers

• Drugs on the Drug Benefit List, plus select over-the-counter products, with a prescription.
• Dental care, including preventive care, fillings, root canals, dentures, oral surgery and braces. Some treatments need approval before you book.
• Vision care: eye exams not covered provincially, plus prescribed glasses or contacts and their repair or replacement.
• Medical supplies and equipment such as hearing aids, mobility aids, orthotics and oxygen.
• Mental health counselling: up to 22 hours a calendar year from an eligible provider, with more hours possible case by case.
• Medical transportation to medically necessary care not available in your community, including travel, meals and lodging. Prior approval may be required.

When the provider is enrolled with NIHB and bills it directly, you should not pay a deductible or co-payment. Bring your client identification to every visit.

If you pay up front

If a provider does not bill NIHB, you pay and then claim reimbursement. Your request and all documents must be received within one year from the date of service. For example, glasses bought on November 6, 2026 must have a complete claim received by November 6, 2027. Medical travel claims go to your NIHB regional office on a printed form.

If your dental benefits come through NIHB, the separate Canadian Dental Care Plan is a different program with its own rules.

Jordan’s Principle for First Nations children

Jordan’s Principle makes sure First Nations children do not face gaps, delays or denials in government services because they are First Nations. It is free. A child qualifies if they are under the age of majority in their province or territory, live permanently in Canada, and meet one of these conditions:

• They are registered or eligible to be registered under the Indian Act.
• One parent or guardian is registered or eligible to be registered.
• Their nation recognizes them for the purposes of Jordan’s Principle.
• They ordinarily live on reserve.

Requests can cover things like speech therapy, mental health services, hearing aids, assessments, mobility aids, medical supplies, tutoring and assistive technology. Since February 10, 2025, an operational bulletin limits some items, such as home renovations, vehicles and elite sports, unless they are needed for substantive equality. New multi-year group requests are no longer approved.

How fast a decision should come

Hypothetical example, counted by script. The clock starts once all necessary information is received. ISC says it is seeing delays because of a sharp rise in requests.

Urgent means the child’s health or safety is a concern, such as a risk to physical safety, no access to food or basic needs, or a family fleeing violence. Not every time-sensitive request counts as urgent. In an emergency, call 911, not the Jordan’s Principle line.

Inuit Child First Initiative

The Inuit Child First Initiative offers similar supports to Inuit children anywhere in Canada. A child must be recognized by an Inuit land claim organization and be under the age of majority. Confirm eligibility with a beneficiary number for the child or a parent, or a letter or form from the land claim organization. Parents, guardians, an authorized representative, or an Inuk youth over 16 can make a request through the same 24/7 line, 1-855-572-4453. The page sets no fixed decision time, and denials can be appealed within one year.

CRA benefits: why filing matters most

The CRA says you must file your tax returns to receive benefits and credits, even if your income is tax-exempt or you had no income at all. Missing a year can stop payments such as the Canada child benefit, the child disability benefit, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and the Canada workers benefit.

Personal property, including income, situated on a reserve is exempt from tax under section 87 of the Indian Act, and employment income can be exempt in certain circumstances. Whether your pay qualifies depends on factors the CRA lists, including where you live, where the employer is and where the work is done. Read the CRA guidance on section 87 rather than assuming. If you have exempt income and are registered or entitled to be registered, the CRA says to file form T90 with your return.

A dated example: registering a newborn

Say a baby is born on March 10, 2026 to a parent with Indian status. The baby is covered by NIHB through the parent while under 2, which ends on the second birthday, March 10, 2028. Registration has a 6-month service standard for a complete application. Working back, a complete application sent after September 10, 2027 could still be in process when coverage through the parent ends. ISC’s advice is simpler: apply as soon as possible, and you can request the status card at the same time.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Not filing because income is exempt. No return means no CRA benefits.
• Waiting to register a baby. Coverage through a parent stops at age 2.
• Paying a provider who could bill NIHB. Ask first whether they are enrolled.
• Booking dental work that needs approval before NIHB has approved it.
• Sending an incomplete Jordan’s Principle request. Include proof of eligibility, the form with a cost breakdown, a letter of support from a professional, Elder or Knowledge Keeper who knows the child, and consent if you apply for someone.

What to do if you are refused

1. Ask for the decision in writing. You need the date and the reason for any appeal.
2. NIHB: send a signed letter. There are 3 levels of appeal, email is not accepted, and ISC aims to reply within 30 business days, 80% of the time.
3. Jordan’s Principle: appeal in writing to your regional focal point within 1 year of the written denial. ISC aims to review it within 30 business days.
4. If the denial is upheld, the Jordan’s Principle page says you can apply to the Federal Court for judicial review within 30 days of the decision.

Frequently asked questions

• Sources, checked November 6, 2026: Canada.ca: Benefits and rights for Indigenous peoples (modified 2026-03-04); ISC: Indian status (modified 2026-06-25); ISC: How registration applications are processed (modified 2025-12-19); ISC: Application forms for Indian status and status cards (modified 2026-07-28); ISC: Non-Insured Health Benefits (modified 2026-01-22); ISC: NIHB eligibility (modified 2026-05-28); ISC: NIHB mental health counselling (modified 2025-10-07); ISC: NIHB client reimbursement (modified 2026-05-11); ISC: Appealing an NIHB decision (modified 2023-05-25); ISC: Jordan’s Principle (modified 2026-08-20); ISC: Submit a request under Jordan’s Principle (modified 2026-08-20); ISC: Jordan’s Principle operational bulletin (modified 2025-02-10); ISC: Supporting Inuit children (modified 2025-05-23); CRA: Taxes and benefits for Indigenous peoples (modified 2026-09-17).
• Method: Decision deadlines, the newborn timeline and the reimbursement date were calculated in Python with two methods (date arithmetic and manual counting) that gave the same results. The examples are hypothetical.

Important: This guide is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Gizly is not affiliated with the Government of Canada. Some First Nations and Inuit governments and health authorities deliver these programs under their own agreements, so check with your community. See our affiliate disclosure.