Northwest Territories

Extended health benefits – Through Extended Health Benefits (EHB), the Government of the Northwest Territories provides assistance to eligible residents with the cost of non-insured medical needs that are not covered under the Territories’ Health Care Plan.

Métis health benefits – The Government of the Northwest Territories funds the Métis Health Benefits program to give eligible Indigenous Métis residents of the Northwest Territories access to a variety of benefits not covered by hospital and medical care insurance. 

Medical Travel: Medical Travel services help eligible NWT residents access medical travel through different benefit programs. As a patient, you don’t apply for medical travel benefits. Instead, a health care provider will complete and submit a referral and benefit application to the designated Medical Travel Office.

Income assistance program: This program provides financial support to Northwest Territories residents to assist with meeting basic and enhanced needs. The program promotes and supports greater self-reliance to improve the quality of lives.

Income Assistance for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities : This program provides financial support to Northwest Territories (NWT) seniors and persons with disabilities to help meet their basic needs. The program also helps to guarantee clients have the opportunity to develop more financial security so they are able to take part in community activities.

• This is a yearly program. Applicants need to apply and submit all required documents to be evaluated, and applications are accepted July 1 of every year, or any time afterwards.
• This program is meant for:
  • NWT residents who are 19-59 years old with a permanent or long-term disability, or 
  • NWT residents who are seniors (60+); and 
  • Have a need that is larger than their income

The following are a list of food banks in the NWT, using information on Food Banks Canada. 

• Salvation Army Yellowknife: 4925 45th Street
• High Level Native Friendship Centre: 11000 95 Street
• Fort Nelson Food Bank: 4903 50th St

Kids with Cancer Society: The Kids with Cancer Society provides unique, essential programs and services for free to children and families living in Northern Alberta and the NWT. They offer programs and activities, financial and education assistance as well as other programs. For more information, call 780.496.2459 or email info@kidswithcancer.ca.

Seniors Home Heating Subsidy: The Senior Home Heating Subsidy helps low-to-modest income seniors in the NWT with their heating expenses. Seniors are responsible for heating expenses that go beyond the subsidy level. This program is for Northerners who: 

• are residents of the NWT 
• are age 60 or older
• Own and occupy the home as their primary residence or, if renting, be the lessee of a self-contained unit where heating expenses are not part of the rent
• Meet the household income threshold 
• Are not receiving Income Assistance
• Apply every year