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Home » Claims » Incarcerated Claimants

If you are supporting someone who is incarcerated, work at a correctional facility, or are a family member of an Incarcerated Claimant, support is available to help with their Claim.

This page brings together information and free supports specifically designed to help Incarcerated Claimants understand the Settlement and submit a Claim.

This page includes information on:

Supporting Incarcerated Claimants

Free supports and resources are available to help Incarcerated Claimants understand the Settlement and submit a Claim.

These supports have been designed with an understanding of the realities of incarceration, including limited access to the internet and challenges gathering required documents. All support is offered in a culturally safe, trauma-informed way.

Claims Helpers

Claims Helpers supporting Incarcerated Claimants are specially trained to provide support within correctional settings. They offer free and confidential one-on-one support over the phone. Many Claims Helpers are Indigenous, and all provide culturally safe support, free from judgement.

Claims Helpers can help Incarcerated Claimants:

  • Understand which Class applies to them
  • Find the right Claim Form
  • Support with completing the Claim Form
  • Understand what identification or documents are needed
  • Connect with mental health and wellness supports

Learn more about Claims Helpers →

How to access Claims Helper support

To access support, call the Administrator and let the agent know that the Claimant is incarcerated or that you are seeking information on behalf of an incarcerated person. The agent will guide you to the dedicated support available for Incarcerated Claimants.

Call the Administrator at 1-833-852-0755 (toll free) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays) and ask to speak with a Claims Helper specially trained to support Incarcerated Claimants.

Information kit

Information kits have been developed and tailored to support Incarcerated Claimants. These materials explain the Settlement and how to submit a Claim for Classes that are currently accepting Claims. Additional resources will be added as new Claims Periods open.

How to access the information kit

In many facilities, print and digital materials can be requested through the case management team.

Correctional facilities may also request a limited number of printed materials by mail. These materials are designed specifically for use in correctional settings.

If your facility requires additional print copies of any items, please contact us at Engage@FNChildClaims.ca.

Resource library

The online resource library on this website brings together all publicly available Settlement information and materials, including guides, forms, flyers, posters and videos.

The information kits for Incarcerated Claimants are for exclusive use within correctional facilities. The resource library includes all other public Settlement materials and can be used by anyone who wants to review or share information.

Visit the resource library →

Submitting a Claim

Each Claimant must submit their own Claim Form. Claimants who are eligible in more than one Class must submit a separate Claim Form for each Class.

Free support is available at every stage of the Claims Process.

Eligibility and submission timelines

The Settlement includes nine Classes. Claims Periods open in phases, and each Class has a different Claim Form.

Find Claims Forms for open Claims Periods →

Information about eligibility requirements and submission timelines for each Class will be shared with correctional facilities when each Claims Period opens.

Learn about the Classes →

If Class Members are unsure which Class they are a part of, free support is available.

Call the Administrator at 1-833-852-0755 (toll free) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays) and ask to speak with a Claims Helper specially trained to support Incarcerated Claimants.

Identification (ID) and Documents

All Claimants must provide valid, government issued identification (ID) to submit a Claim. Depending on the Class and individual circumstances, additional documents may be required.

Correctional facility staff may assist Claimants with copying or scanning documents.

Important

  • Do not send original ID or documents.
  • Send clear copies of both sides of documents.
  • Copies must be readable and not blurry, too light or too dark.

Refer to the How to Submit a Claim booklet for details about required supporting documents. In many facilities, this booklet can be requested through the case management team.

Learn more about supporting documents →

Accepted forms of identification (ID)

The Administrator will accept copies of most forms of government-issued ID, including:

  • Corrections ID
  • Letter of Incarceration or other proof of incarceration*
  • Driver’s license
  • First Nations government ID or Certificate of Tribal Membership
  • Certificate of Indian Status card
  • Passport
  • Other ID issued by a provincial, territorial or federal government office

See all approved forms of ID →

The following elements are not required, but may assist in processing the Claim:

  • Claimant’s photograph
  • Claimant’s signature
  • Expected release date

*If the Claimant is using a Letter of Incarceration or Proof of Incarceration Form as ID, it must include:

  • Claimant’s full name, including middle name if applicable
  • Claimant’s date of birth
  • Name of issuing correctional facility
  • Date the letter or form was issued
  • Full name (printed), role/title and signature of a correctional officer, program manager, Indigenous liaison officer, administrator or other official from the correctional facility

How to submit a Claim while incarcerated

Incarcerated Claimants can submit their Claim Form along with copies of ID and any required documents to the Administrator by fax or by mail.

Fax:

1-416-815-2723

Mail:

Settlement Administrator
PO Box 2500 STN MAIN
Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 0H9

The Administrator cannot accept courier deliveries.

Submitting a Claim for someone else

A Claim may only be submitted for another person if the individual is:

  • Their court-appointed representative; or
  • In some cases, an eligible family member of a Deceased Class Member.

If one of these situations applies to an incarcerated individual, they can ask a Claims Helper to guide them in how to submit a Claim for the person they represent. There are different Claim Forms for submitting a Claim for a Deceased Class Member.

See more information on representatives →

Receiving compensation

If a Claimant is approved for compensation, they will be asked to choose how they want to receive payment.

Payment options include:

  • Direct deposit into a bank account in the Claimant’s name
  • A cheque mailed to the address provided on the Claim Form

By Cheque

If a Claimant chooses to receive their compensation by cheque, the cheque will be issued in the Claimant’s name and mailed to the address provided on the Claim Form. This may be the address of the correctional facility.

In many cases, cheques mailed to a correctional facility are held there until the Claimant is released. However, practices vary by facility and jurisdiction.

In Saskatchewan, provincial correctional facilities do not hold inmate cheques. If a cheque is mailed to a Saskatchewan facility, the Claimant or their support person should contact the Administrator to discuss next steps.

Cheques expire after six months. If a cheque expires before it can be cashed, the Administrator can re-issue the cheque upon request, including after release.

By Direct deposit

Incarcerated Claimants may choose to receive their compensation by direct deposit into a bank account in their own name.

If a Claimant does not already have a direct deposit form, they can call their bank and ask for one to be mailed to them. The completed form must then be mailed to the Administrator.

Claims Helpers can explain this process and answer questions.

Keep contact information up to date

Important – If a Claimant’s contact details change, including if they are released or transferred to another facility, they must update their information. This ensures the Administrator can contact them about their Claim and send compensation to the correct address.

Call the Administrator at 1-833-852-0755 (toll free) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays) to update information.