Canadian benefits glossary

Provincial & territorial

RAMQ drug insurance (Quebec)

Quebec's mandatory prescription drug insurance system through RAMQ or private plans, with premiums and copayments.

Drug coverage

Rare-disease drug pathway

Special federal and provincial processes for expensive drugs treating rare conditions, including Health Canada's common list and province elections.

Standard formulary rules often do not apply, separate applications and clinical criteria apply.

Appeals & applications

Reconsideration

A first-level review asking the same agency to look again at your case, often required before a formal appeal.

Submit new evidence during reconsideration, decisions may change without a hearing.

Employment Insurance

Record of Employment (ROE)

A form your employer submits to Service Canada summarizing your insurable earnings and hours when employment ends.

You usually cannot start an EI claim until Service Canada receives your ROE.

Tax credits

Refundable tax credit

A tax credit that can be paid to you even if you owe no tax. If the credit is larger than your tax owing, you receive the difference as a payment.

Refundable credits can provide cash to low-income households that pay little or no income tax.

Disability

Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

A long-term savings plan for people eligible for the Disability Tax Credit. The government may match contributions with grants and provide bonds for low-income beneficiaries.

RDSP grants and bonds can significantly grow savings for future disability-related costs without affecting most federal benefits.

Children & family

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

A tax-sheltered savings account for a child's post-secondary education, eligible for grants like the Canada Learning Bond and CESG.

Housing

Rent-geared-to-income (RGI)

Social housing rent calculated as a percentage of household income rather than market rent.

Wait lists are long, apply early and report income changes to avoid overpayment issues.

General

Residency requirement

Rules about how long you must live in Canada or a province to qualify for a benefit or tax credit.

Newcomers and people who moved provinces may need to wait or reapply under new rules.

Appeals & applications

Retroactive payment

Benefit money paid for past months after a late approval or reassessment, sometimes limited by program rules.

Not all programs pay full retroactivity, ask about limits when you apply late.