Caregivers
Programs for unpaid caregivers in the Northwest Territories
For a personalized shortlist based on your household, province, and life events, try the benefits quiz.
Employment Insurance — caregiving benefits (family caregiver and compassionate care)
Service Canada’s published EI caregiving hub describing family caregiver benefits for critically ill adults or children and compassionate care benefits for end-of-life support, with separate medical certificate rules.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/caregiving.htmlEI Family Caregiver Benefit for adults
Up to 15 weeks of EI income replacement when you provide care or support to a critically ill or injured adult.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/caregiving.htmlEI Family Caregiver Benefit for children
Up to 35 weeks of EI income replacement when you care for a critically ill or injured child under 18.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/caregiving.htmlEI Compassionate Care Benefit
Up to 26 weeks of EI income replacement when you care for or support someone with a serious medical condition and significant risk of death within 26 weeks.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/caregiving.htmlCanada Caregiver Credit
Non-refundable federal tax credit for supporting an infirm spouse or dependant.
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/canada-caregiver-amount.htmlCaregiver Recognition Benefit
For veterans' familiesTax-free monthly VAC (Veterans Affairs Canada) payment for unpaid caregivers of veterans with a severe, service-related disability and a disability benefit.
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/housing-and-home-life/help-at-home/caregiver-recognition-benefit
Old Age Security pension
Monthly taxable pension from age 65 for long-term residents and citizens, with a 10% increase from age 75.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/old-age-security.htmlGuaranteed Income Supplement
Tax-free monthly top-up for low-income seniors who receive Old Age Security.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement.htmlAllowance (ages 60 to 64)
Monthly tax-free benefit for people aged 60 to 64 whose spouse or partner receives GIS and full OAS.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement/allowance.htmlAllowance for the Survivor
Monthly tax-free benefit for widowed people aged 60 to 64 with low income.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/old-age-security/guaranteed-income-supplement/allowance-survivor.htmlCPP (Canada Pension Plan) Disability Benefit
Monthly CPP disability pension for contributors under age 65 with severe and prolonged disability.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-disability-benefit.htmlCPP Children's Benefit
Monthly payment for children of a CPP disabled or deceased contributor.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/payment-amounts.htmlChild Disability Benefit
Tax-free monthly payment added to CCB (Canada Child Benefit) for children under 18 who are approved for the DTC (Disability Tax Credit).
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/child-disability-benefit.htmlHome Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC)
Non-refundable federal credit for qualifying renovations that improve accessibility or reduce risk of harm in a principal residence for a senior or a DTC-eligible person.
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-31285-home-accessibility-expenses.htmlMultigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit (MHRTC)
Refundable federal tax credit for qualifying renovations that create a self-contained secondary suite for a senior or a DTC-eligible adult in your home.
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-45355-mhrtc/how-claim-mhrtc.htmlTransfer disability amount to supporting person
Unused disability tax credit may transfer to a spouse or other supporting person (line 31800).
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-31800-disability-amount-transferred-a-dependant.htmlDisability Tax Credit
Federal non-refundable tax credit for people with a severe and prolonged impairment certified on Form T2201.
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/segments/tax-credits-deductions-persons-disabilities/disability-tax-credit.htmlRDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan) Grants and Bonds
Registered savings plan for people approved for the Disability Tax Credit, with federal matching grants and income-tested bonds.
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/registered-disability-savings-plan-rdsp/canada-disability-savings-grant-canada-disability-savings-bond.htmlVAC Survivor’s Pension (Pension Act) & survivor income supports
For veterans' familiesMonthly or ongoing survivor benefits may apply under the *Pension Act* and the newer **Pension for Life** framework (e.g., Income Replacement Benefit for eligible survivors), depending on the veteran’s VAC file.
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/families-and-caregivers/financial-programs-and-services/survivors-pensionMedical expense tax credit (METC)
Non-refundable federal credit for eligible medical expenses above the threshold based on net income (and family member rules on Schedule 5).
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/lines-33099-33199-eligible-medical-expenses-you-claim-on-your-tax-return.html
Northwest Territories Income Assistance
Territorial social assistance when basic needs exceed your resources, amounts depend on community, shelter, and household rules.
https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/en/services/income-security-programs/income-assistanceNWT Extended Health Benefits
Territorial supplementary health coverage (prescriptions, dental, vision, supplies, medical travel pathways) layered on top of the NWT Health Care Plan.
https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/extended-health-benefitsNWT Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit
$196/month territorial top-up for low-income NWT seniors receiving GIS or Spouse's Allowance with OAS, combined in your federal payment.
https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/en/services/income-security-programs/nwt-senior-citizen-supplementary-benefitNWT Child Care Fee Reduction (licensed care)
Territorial subsidy that licensed child-care programs apply to shrink parent fees for infants and preschool children, it is not mailed to families as cash.
https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/en/child-care-fee-reductionNWT Healthy Families Program
Territorial home visiting and family support for parents and caregivers of young children.
https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/en/services/healthy-families-programNWT medical travel assistance
Travel, meals, and lodging supports when insured care is not available in your home community, coordinated through NTHSSA after provider referral.
https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/medical-travelNWT seniors and disabled persons property tax relief
Territorial property tax rebate for eligible seniors (65+) and people with disabilities; in municipal areas the City administers the program.
https://www.maca.gov.nt.ca/en/services/seniors-and-disabled-persons-property-tax-relief
Filters programs in this municipal section only. Federal and provincial programs above are not affected.
Yellowknife Access for All (transit + recreation)
Three-year Transit Pass and Family Flexi Pass for eligible low-income Yellowknife households.
https://www.yellowknife.ca/en/living-here/access-for-all.aspxYellowknife senior property tax relief
Municipal property tax relief up to about $2,000 per year for eligible senior homeowners on their primary residence in Yellowknife.
https://www.yellowknife.ca/en/living-here/seniors.aspx
Hay River recreation & municipal programs
Community recreation, facilities, and local supports — confirm fee assistance on the municipal or community government website.
https://www.hayriver.com/
Inuvik recreation & municipal programs
Community recreation, facilities, and local supports — confirm fee assistance on the municipal or community government website.
https://www.inuvik.ca/
Fort Smith recreation & municipal programs
Community recreation, facilities, and local supports — confirm fee assistance on the municipal or community government website.
https://www.fortsmith.ca/
Behchokǫ̀ community recreation & municipal programs
Community recreation, facilities, and local supports — confirm fee assistance on the municipal or community government website.
https://www.maca.gov.nt.ca/en/content/behchok%C7%AB%CC%80
This list focuses on the federal stack, income assistance, extended health benefits, senior supplements, and selected municipal supports in Yellowknife and other NWT communities. The Northwest Territories has no territorial caregiver-specific program in this hub yet. Smaller communities may only have contact-city program gateways here. If a program is missing or a link seems wrong, your feedback helps keep the registry accurate.
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