FAQ

The Settlement provides compensation to First Nations individuals who, while under the Age of Majority, were removed from their homes between April 1, 1991, and March 31, 2022, by Child Welfare Authorities. The removal from home must have happened while the Child or at least one of their Caregiving Parents or Caregiving Grandparents were Ordinarily Resident on Reserve or living in the Yukon, and the placement must have been funded by Indigenous Services Canada.

The Settlement also provides compensation to First Nations Children who experienced a delay, denial or gap in in receiving essential services and who had a Confirmed Need for those services between April 1, 1991, and November 2, 2017. This treatment discriminated against the Children and broke a legal rule known as Jordan’s Principle.

Certain eligible Caregiving Parents or Caregiving Grandparents of these Children will also be compensated through the Settlement.

The Settlement Agreement includes $23.34 billion in compensation for impacted First Nations Children and their Caregiving Parents or Caregiving Grandparents.

The Settlement also includes a $50 million fund to provide access to culture, community and healing-based programs to Class Members, and a $90 million fund to benefit high-needs Jordan’s Principle Class Members, to ensure their personal dignity and well-being.

More details can be found in the Settlement Agreement Order issued by the Federal Court on October 24, 2023.

Deloitte LLP has been appointed by the Federal Court as the Administrator for the Settlement. 

The role of the Administrator is to provide noticing (communications) and implement the Claims Process. This includes reviewing each Claim, determining eligibility and communicating eligibility decisions with Claimants.

The Administrator is an independent body that reports to the Settlement Implementation Committee, a court-appointed committee that includes First Nations and Class Counsel representatives. The Federal Court supervises the implementation of the entire Settlement Agreement. 

Class Counsel are the lawyers representing Class Members. 

Collectively, “Class Counsel” means: Sotos LLP, Kugler Kandestin LLP, Miller Titerle + Company, Nahwegahbow Corbiere, and Fasken LLP. 

Class Counsel provides free legal advice to Claimants related to this Settlement, as needed. In addition, Class Counsel supports oversight of the Settlement’s administration as part of the Settlement Implementation Committee.

All costs associated with implementing the Settlement, including legal fees and supports for Class Members, are in addition to the $23.34 billion settlement amount and will be covered by Canada.

All of the $23.34 billion is going to Claimants. All other costs to implement the Settlement are funded separately by Canada.

No, the First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Settlement is not connected to either the Federal Indian Day School or the Sixties Scoop Settlements. It is a separate settlement. Both the Sixties Scoop and Federal Indian Day School Settlements are closed and no longer accepting claims for compensation. You can learn more at:

• Federal Indian Day Schools Settlement
• Sixties Scoop Settlement

If you received compensation through another settlement, it does not impact your eligibility under the First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Settlement if you meet the eligibility criteria.

The negotiations about long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program are separate to this Settlement Agreement. These negotiations have no impact on the compensation available under the First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Settlement.

The First Nations-led Cy-près Fund is designed to benefit the following Class Members:

1. Class Members who do not receive direct payment under the Settlement
2. Approved Jordan’s Principle Class Members who require additional support from the time they reach Age of Majority in the province or territory in which they reside, to their 26th birthday

There is $50 million in the Cy-près Fund, which will be used to provide culturally sensitive and trauma-informed supports to the Class.

More details about the Cy-près Fund will be shared when information becomes available.

Yes. The money paid into the Settlement by Canada is being invested to earn interest. In addition to the main compensation Trust Fund, a separate $1 billion Interest Reserve Fund has been created, which also earns interest. 

Interest earned on the Interest Reserve Fund will be used to pay interest to eligible Class Members. As detailed in the Settlement Agreement, interest earned from other Settlement Funds will be distributed to Eligible Class Members. None of the interest will be paid to the Government of Canada.

If there is money or earned interest left over after eligible Claimants have been compensated, the remaining funds will be distributed to eligible Claimants at the direction of the Settlement Implementation Committee, as outlined in the Settlement Agreement. The distribution method will be approved by the Court. Surplus funds will not be returned to the Government of Canada. 

Surplus funds will be distributed to Approved Class Members in the following order of priority: 

1. Approved Removed Child Class Members; then 
2. Approved Jordan’s Principle Class Members; then
3. Approved Trout Class Members; then 
4. Approved Essential Service Class Members; then
5. Approved Removed Child Family Class Members.

More information about surplus funds can be found in sections 6.11 and 19.03 of the Settlement Agreement. 

Only individuals who opted out of this Settlement may be able to bring an action against Canada in the future. If you did not opt out of Settlement, you will not be able to take legal action against Canada or make an application to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal regarding the same discriminatory conduct that is the subject of the class action.

You can report your concerns to the Administrator toll-free by calling 1-833-852-0755 (Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET excluding statutory holidays) or by emailing Generalinfo@Contact.FNChildClaims.ca. Alternatively, you can speak directly with a Claims Helper you are working with.

All complaints will be reviewed and investigated by the Administrator.

The Claims Process is a Court-approved document that outlines how Class Members can submit a Claim for compensation and how the Administrator processes Claims.   

Each of the nine Classes of the Settlement will have a unique Claims Process, including specific deadlines, eligibility requirements, Claim Forms and other submission requirements.   

Each Claims Process also includes timelines for the Administrator to review and process Claims and distribute compensation to eligible Claimants.   

Some of the people reviewing Claims will be First Nations individuals and all reviewers are trained to impartially apply the eligibility rules of the Class, as defined in the Settlement Agreement.  

Many people supporting the Settlement, including Contact Centre staff and Claims Helpers, are First Nations individuals, so Claimants needing additional help can receive support from First Nations individuals as they are completing their Claim Forms.  

Everyone who processes Claims or interacts with Claimants in this Settlement has completed a Settlement tailored Cultural Safety and Inclusiveness Training. 

The Claims Period (the period of time when Claimants can submit a Claim) for each Class will open in phases after the Claims Process for each Class has been approved by the Federal Court. The Claims Process is a document that details the steps the Administrator will follow to review Claims and make decisions about eligibility. Each Claims Process will include a unique Claims Period and timelines for submitting a Claim and receiving compensation.   

The Claims Period is now open for the following Classes:  

• Removed Child Class  

• Removed Child Family Class  

To receive updates and news about the Settlement and the Claims Process for each Class, sign up for the Settlement news or explore the Settlement website.  

You must have already reached or be within two years of reaching the Age of Majority in the province or territory where you live to submit a Claim.   

Learn more about Age of Majority.  

Once a Claims Period opens, the Administrator begins assessing and making eligibility decisions on Claims received for that Class. Each Claim is unique, and the amount of time required for the Administrator to assess, determine eligibility, and issue compensation in each Claim varies.   

For the Removed Child Class, Claims are currently being assessed in the order they are received. In general, these Claimants can expect to receive an eligibility decision 6 to 8 months after submitting their Claim. Base Compensation will be issued in the weeks after the Claimant confirms their preferred payment method.   

Removed Child Family Class Claims will receive eligibility decisions and compensation after their Ultimate Claims Deadline. For Removed Child Family Class Members who had reached the Age of Majority by March 10, 2025, the Ultimate Claims Deadline is March 10, 2029. 

When the Claims Period for your Class opens, you will be able to submit your Claim Form directly to the Administrator through the Online Claims Portal or by mail, email, or fax.

Note that each Class has specific timelines and requirements. You must submit a completed Claim Form to the Administrator before the deadline. If you think you are eligible in more than one Class, you must complete a separate Claim Form for each Class during the Class’s Claims Period.

Learn more about submitting a Claim.

If you submitted your Claim by mail, email, or fax, the Administrator will send a “Confirmation of Receipt” letter to the mailing address you provided on your Claim Form. If you do not receive this letter within a few weeks of submitting your Claim, contact the Administrator at 1-833-852-0755 or by emailing Generalinfo@Contact.FNChildClaims.ca.

If you submitted your Claim using the online Claims Portal, you will receive an email confirming that your Claim was received. Check your junk or spam folder if you do not receive this email confirmation.

Even if you use the Claims Portal to submit your Claim Form, the Administrator may need to contact you with a letter sent in the mail. Please be sure to call the Administrator if your mailing address changes so they can communicate with you about your Claim.

Each Class will have a three-year Claims Period when you can submit a Claim. The deadline for submitting a Claim will be available when the Claims Period for the Class opens. See the "Submitting a Claim” page for the Claims Period timelines for your specific Class.

If personal circumstances prevent you from submitting your Claim in the three-year Claims Period, you can ask the Administrator for a one-year extension. Complete and submit a Request for Deadline Extension Form detailing the reasons you were not able to send in your Claim Form on time. The Administrator will review the form and let you know if your request for an extension is approved.

The Request for Deadline Extension Form will be available prior to the first Claims Deadline of March 10, 2028.

All Claimants will need to provide a copy (photocopy, scan or photo) of an approved form of government-issued identification (ID) along with their Claim Form. If you are a representative who is submitting a Claim on behalf of a deceased Claimant or a Person Under Disability, you will need to provide a copy of your valid government-issued ID as well as government-issued ID for the Claimant.

Certain Claimants will need to provide additional supporting documentation. The documents required depend on:

• The Class you are applying under
• Whether you are submitting a Claim for yourself or on behalf of someone else (as a representative)

Providing the correct and complete supporting documents will help the Administrator process your Claim.

If you, or the person you represent, do not have a valid form of government-issued ID, or if the ID has expired, you will need to apply to the relevant government office to get valid ID.

If you need support getting valid government-issued ID, Claims Helpers are available to help you, at no cost. Contact the Administrator toll-free by calling 1-833-852-0755 (Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET excluding statutory holidays) or by emailing GeneralInfo@Contact.FNChildClaims.ca and press 2 to be connected with a Claims Helper.

Yes, please submit a copy of both sides of your valid government-issued ID (or any other documents) with your Claim Form. Please make sure the copies are clear and all of the information on the ID can be read.

Yes. You can submit a Claim if you do not have a phone number or an email address. However, you will need a mailing address so the Administrator can contact you about your Claim by mail.

Learn more about how to get ready to submit a Claim.

If you have questions about your specific situation, please contact the Administrator toll-free by calling 1-833-852-0755 (Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET excluding statutory holidays) or by emailing GeneralInfo@Contact.FNChildClaims.ca.

You do not need your child welfare records to submit a Claim under the Removed Child Class or Removed Child Family Class.

The Claims Process for other Classes of the Settlement, including supporting documentation requirements, are still in development and will be available once the Claims Period for each Class opens.

Be sure to check what is needed for your Class and submit all required documentation. The Administrator will contact you if additional information is needed. Be sure to keep your mailing and contact information up to date with the Administrator.

If you are a member of the Removed Child Class or the Removed Child Family Class, you do not need to provide information about your experience. If necessary, the Administrator may request additional information to confirm your eligibility.

The Settlement Agreement does not include a mechanism for recording testimonials.

Visit Indigenous Services Canada for additional wellness resources.

Age of Majority is the age at which a person is legally considered an adult.

In Canada, the Age of Majority is either 18 or 19, depending on the province or territory you currently live in. Age of Majority is:

• 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan
• 19 in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut and the Yukon

Anyone who is younger than the Age of Majority in their home province or territory is considered a minor.

Anyone who is older than Age of Majority in their home province or territory is considered an adult.

You can submit your Claim if you are within two years from reaching the Age of Majority in the province or territory where you currently live. You may submit a Claim Form up to two years before reaching this age, but compensation will only be issued once you have reached the Age of Majority, if you are eligible.

The Administrator cannot accept Claims from individuals who are more than two years younger than the Age of Majority where they live.

Every person must submit their own Claim. The only situations where a representative can submit a Claim on behalf of a Class Member are:

• As a Personal Representative of a Person Under Disability; or
• As a Representative of a Class Member who has passed away. A Representative may be either legally appointed (called an Estate Representative) or a family member who is an eligible heir (called an Heir Representative).

Claims by family members or legal guardians on behalf of another living person (including a minor) are not permitted unless the Claim is made by the legally appointed Personal Representative of a Person Under Disability.

Learn more about representatives.

If you need support while filling out your Claim Form, you can have a trusted family member or friend assist you. You can also contact the Administrator at 1‑833‑852‑0755 (toll-free) to ask questions about the Claims Process or to walk you through the Claim Form. If you require additional help, the Administrator may direct you to a Claims Helper. Claims Helpers are available, at no cost, to help you complete your Claim Form, learn how to obtain identification, and connect you to cultural and wellness resources and supports.

Regardless of who helps you, you must read and understand everything that is included in the Claim Form, and sign and submit the Claim Form yourself.

Every Claimant needs to submit their own Claim. The Administrator will not accept Claims submitted on behalf of another person unless the Claim is submitted by a legally appointed representative or eligible heir.

Yes, if you believe you meet the requirements under the Settlement Agreement, you may submit a Claim Form regardless of where you currently live.

Learn more about submitting a Claim.

Claims must be submitted before the deadline for the applicable Class. Claimants in all Classes will have a three-year period to submit their Claims.

If personal circumstances prevent you from submitting your Claim by the deadline for your Class, you may be able to request a one-year extension, which is subject to approval by the Administrator. The Request for Deadline Extension Form will be available prior to March 10, 2028.

See the “Submitting a Claim” page for your Class to learn about timelines for submitting a Claim.

You will need to provide a copy (photocopy, scan or photo) of an approved form of valid government-issued ID along with your completed Claim Form. If you are a representative submitting a Claim on behalf of someone else, you will need to provide copies of government-issued ID for you and for the Claimant.

The Administrator will accept several forms of identification, including your birth certificate, driver’s licence and Certificate of Indian Status. See the complete list of approved forms of identification.

Be sure to submit a copy (photocopy, scan or photo) of any documents you are submitting. Do not submit the originals. Original documents received by the Administrator cannot be returned.

Be sure to review the Claim submission requirements and submit a complete Claim before the deadline for your Class.

The Administrator will review your Claim Form and documentation to ensure you provided everything that is required. If information is missing, or additional information is needed, the Administrator will contact you.

If the Administrator asks you for additional or missing information, provide it as soon as possible once you receive the request from the Administrator.

There are important deadlines for providing missing information. You will need to ensure the Administrator receives any missing information by the later of:

• Six months after the Claims Deadline (e.g., if your Claims Deadline is March 10, 2028, this means by September 10, 2028); or
• Six months after the date of the Administrator’s request for missing information.

If the missing information is not provided within the above timeframes, the Administrator will send a Final Notice for Missing Information Letter. Prior to sending this final notice, the Administrator will verify that you were offered support with locating and submitting missing information to the Administrator. If missing information is not received by the Administrator within six months of the date of the Final Notice, your Claim will be denied.

If you made a mistake on your Claim Form, have additional information, or need to make changes to your submitted Claim Form, including updates to your personal and contact information, please call the Administrator immediately at 1-833-852-0755.

Caregiving Parents and Caregiving Grandparents of multiple Removed Children, and their representatives, should submit one complete Claim under the Removed Child Family Class. The Claim Form to use depends on your situation:

• Use Claim Form C if you are a Removed Child Family Class Claimant submitting a Claim for yourself, or the Personal Representative of a Removed Child Family Class Claimant who is a Person Under Disability
• Use Claim Form D if you are an Estate Representative or Heir Representative of a Removed Child Family Class Claimant who has passed away

Part 6 of the Claim Forms for the Removed Child Family Class (Claim Form C and Claim Form D), “Information about each Removed Child’s placement” provides space for you to include details about up to two Removed Children.

If more than two Removed Children are associated with your Claim, you can download and add extra Part 6 pages to your Claim, as follows:

• Use Form 2C: Removed Child Family Class – Additional Page if you are submitting Claim Form C
• Use Form 2D Removed Child Family Class – Additional Page if you are submitting Claim Form 2D

You can find Claims Forms for the Removed Child Family Class, including the Additional Pages on the Submitting a Claim webpage for the Class.

If you can’t use the Additional Page from the website, you can just write all of the Part 6 details for additional Removed Children on a separate piece of paper and send it in with your Claim Form.

If you identify additional Removed Children after you have submitted a Claim Form, you may submit another Claim Form before the deadline.

The Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Database is a confidential database of information that contains certain details about the removal of First Nations individuals who may be Removed Child Class Members or Kith Child Class Members.

Canada has provided the Administrator access to the ISC Database for the purpose of administering the Claims Process, specifically for the purpose of confirming the eligibility of Removed Child Class and Kith Child Class Claimants. The Administrator may use the ISC database for this purpose exclusively and may not provide information included in the ISC Database to any party.

The ISC Database does not include complete child welfare records.

If the Administrator is unable to locate your information in the ISC Database, you may receive an Inconclusive Eligibility Letter stating that a decision about your eligibility cannot be made based on available information.

The Administrator will continue to review the Database while it is being updated to see if your information can be located. The continued review of the ISC Database will take place until Canada confirms that no further updates to the Database are to be made.

A process is under development for Claimants who receive an Inconclusive Eligibility Letter. This process will provide direction on next steps for Claimants who, by the time the ISC Database is finalized, are still awaiting an eligibility decision.

Anyone who wants to receive compensation under this Settlement is required to submit a Claim Form. The Administrator must have a completed Claim Form with your name, current address, signature and a copy of your government-issued identification to process your Claim.

Learn more about submitting your Claim.

If you are having trouble creating an account, please call the Administrator at 1‑833‑852‑0755.

To use the Portal to submit your Claim Forms, you will need:

1. An email address; and
2. A phone number to receive Multi-Factor Authentication codes (both mobile and landlines will work for this).

If you can’t remember your password, you will need to reset it by taking the following steps:

1. Click on the “Forgot Your Password?” link on the Portal homepage, which appears just below the boxes to enter your email address and password, and above the “Continue” button.
2. Enter the same email address you originally used to sign up for the account.
3. Click “Continue.”
4. You will see a “Reset Password” message telling you to check your email inbox.
5. If your email address was previously used to create your account, you will receive an email from NoReply@FNChildClaimsAdmin.ca. If you don’t find the message in your inbox, check your junk/spam folder.
6. This email will contain a link to click to reset your password. Click on the link or copy the URL and paste it into your web browser.
7. Once the page appears, enter the new password in the “New Password” box and again in the “Confirm New Password” box, then click “Continue.”
8. Return to the login page and enter your email address and new password.

If you are still having trouble resetting your password, or if you don’t receive a “Reset Password” email, please call the Administrator at 1‑833‑852‑0755.

See “I can’t remember my password. What should I do?” for instructions on resetting your password. If you’ve already tried and it did not work, please call the Administrator at 1‑833‑852‑0755.

Check your email junk or spam folders. Look for an email from NoReply@FNChildClaimsAdmin.ca. If you do not see one, please call the Administrator at 1‑833‑852‑0755.

Before you begin submitting a Claim, make sure you have a copy (photocopy, scan or photo) of your document saved on the device you are using to submit your Claim on the Claim Portal.

If you do not already have a copy (photocopy, scan or photo) saved on your device, you can take a picture of your document with your phone and email it to yourself, using the email address you used to create your Portal account. Once you receive it, you'll need to save it to your desktop or phone files. The document will need to be in JPG, JPEG or PNG format.

When you are going through the process of submitting your Claim, you will come to one or more sections called “Upload Documents”. To attach your document, locate the file on your device, and click “Open.” You can also drag and drop the file into the box to upload it.

You can upload more than one document at a time; simply select all the files you want to upload.

Please call the Administrator at 1‑833‑852‑0755 if you receive an error message. Before you call, please make a note of what the error message says; this will help the Contact Centre staff understand what may be wrong.

If you do not have access to the phone number you used when you were setting up your account, you can click the “Try Another Method” button on the Multi-Factor Authentication page of the login process. Then, choose “Email”. A one-time code will be sent to the email address that you registered your account with.

A Claim is marked “Closed – Duplicate Claim” if more than one Claim has been submitted by the same individual, for the same Class. If you submit more than one Claim for the same Class and type of Claim (for example, two Removed Child Claims for yourself), the Administrator will need more time to process your Claim because each Claim Form must be reviewed.

If you need to update information on your submitted Claim Form, including updates to your contact and mailing information, please do not submit a new Claim Form. Instead, call the Administrator at 1-833-852-0755 or speak to a Claims Helper to provide your updates.

If this wasn’t the case in your situation, and your Claim status is “Closed – Duplicate Claim,” please contact the Administrator to discuss your Claim.

Each Class has specific eligibility requirements outlined in the Court-approved Settlement Agreement and the Claims Process for that specific Class. Claimants who submit a complete Claim prior to the deadline and who meet the eligibility requirements of the Class can receive compensation.

Once you have submitted a complete Claim Form, the Administrator will review it and your supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements of the Class.

If you submit a Claim under the Removed Child Class, Removed Child Family Class, Kith Child Class or Kith Family Class, the Administrator will also refer to the Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Database to confirm the details of the Child’s removal.

If the Administrator requires additional information about your Claim, they will contact you directly.

Once the Administrator has assessed the eligibility of your Claim, you will receive an eligibility decision letter.

If you, or the Claimant you represent, are eligible to receive compensation, you will receive an Approval of Eligibility Letter, along with information about your compensation and next steps.

If you, or the Claimant you represent, do not meet the eligibility requirements of the Class, you will receive a Denial of Eligibility Letter, which will include information on how to appeal the decision (if an appeal is permitted).

For Claims in the Child Classes only: if the Administrator is unable to determine whether you, or the Claimant you represent, are eligible to receive compensation, you will receive an Inconclusive Eligibility Letter. This is not a final decision. An Inconclusive Eligibility Letter means that the Administrator was not able to locate information about the removal in the Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Database. The Administrator will continue to review the ISC Database while it is being updated to see if the information can be found.

A process is under development that will provide next steps for Claimants whose eligibility is currently inconclusive.

The Administrator will process your Claim according to the processing timelines for the Class and only after you, or the Claimant you represent, have reached the Age of Majority. In general:

• The Administrator will assess Claims in the Child Classes (Removed Child Class, Kith Child Class, Jordan’s Principle Class, Trout Child Class and Essential Service Class) from Claimants who are over the Age of Majority as they are received.
• The Administrator will process Claims in the Family Classes (Removed Child Family Class, Kith Family Class, Jordan’s Principle Family Class and Trout Family Class) after the Ultimate Claims Deadline, which is four years after your specific Claims Period opened and includes the three-year Claims Period and one year for extension requests. This timeline ensures that any competing Claims, such as more than two Caregiving Parents or Caregiving Grandparents submitting a Claim for the same Removed Child, can be identified and resolved appropriately.

Learn more about processing times, assessment, and compensation timelines on the compensation page for your Class.

If you receive a Denial of Eligibility Letter, it will include information about why your Claim was denied. If the reason for denial can be appealed, the letter will also include the steps to take to appeal the decision. You will have 60 days from the date you receive the decision letter to submit a completed Request for Appeal Form, which must also be received by the Administrator within those 60 days. Appeals will be reviewed by a court appointed independent Third-Party Assessor, whose decision will be final.

Learn more about Appeals.

If you need help with your appeal, a Claims Helper can assist you. If you are not already working with a Claims Helper, contact the Administrator toll-free by calling 1-833-852-0755 (Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET excluding statutory holidays) or by emailing Generalinfo@Contact.FNChildClaims.ca.

If you received an Inconclusive Eligibility Letter, that means the Administrator does not have enough information to make a decision about your eligibility.

For Claims that involve a Child removal, an Inconclusive Eligibility Letter may indicate that the Administrator is currently unable to locate information about the Removed Child in the Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Database. An Inconclusive Eligibility Letter is not a final decision. The Administrator will continue to review the ISC Database while it is being updated to see if the information can be located. The continued review of the ISC Database will take place until Canada confirms that no further updates are to be made.

A process is under development that will provide next steps for Claimants whose eligibility is currently inconclusive.

Several types of trauma-informed and culturally safe supports are available to help you understand the Settlement and complete your Claim.

As a starting place, the following information and resources are available on this website:

• Interactive eligibility information tools to help you understand how the eligibility requirements of each Class may apply to you

• Companion guides and explainer videos for all Claim Forms

• A searchable resource library of documents related to the Settlement

• Financial information and resources to assist you in planning for your compensation

The Administrator is the primary point of contact for Claimants. You can call the Administrator toll-free at 1-833-852-0755 (Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET excluding statutory holidays) or email Generalinfo@Contact.FNChildClaims.ca.

The Administrator can provide information and answer questions about the Settlement Agreement and how to complete a Claim Form. If you need additional assistance, the Administrator can connect you with a Claims Helper.

Claims Helpers, located across the country, can provide free one-on-one support to help you fill out your Claim Form, understand how to access the identification and documentation you need, and connect you to local cultural and wellness services and supports. You can also access Claims Helpers by calling the Administrator at the same number provided above, selecting your language and then pressing 2 for a Claims Helper.

Claims Helpers are part of the support the Administrator provides to Claimants. They are individuals located across the country to provide free, one-on-one help understanding the Settlement and the Claims Process. Claims Helpers can:

• Give you information about the Settlement and Claims Process

• Help you fill out Claim Forms and find supporting documentation

• Refer you to other resources and supports as needed

The majority of Claims Helpers are Indigenous, and all Claims Helpers are trained in providing culturally safe and trauma-informed services. Claims Helpers work directly with Claimants over the phone, by video call or in person, where available. They offer support in English, French and some Indigenous languages.

Call the Administrator at 1-833-852-0755 (Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET excluding statutory holidays), select your language and then press 2 to speak to a Claims Helper.

Learn more about Claims Helpers.

The Settlement does not provide financial support for you to apply for your ID; you will need to pay this cost yourself. However, if you need help applying for a form of government-issued ID, the Administrator or a Claims Helper can assist you. Contact the Administrator at 1-833-852-0755 (Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET excluding statutory holidays) or email Generalinfo@Contact.FNChildClaims.ca.

The Settlement does not provide financial support for you to apply for your ID; you will need to pay this cost yourself. However, if you need help applying for a form of government-issued ID, the Administrator or a Claims Helper can assist you. Contact the Administrator at 1‑833‑852‑0755 (Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET excluding statutory holidays) or email Generalinfo@Contact.FNChildClaims.ca. No, you do not need a lawyer to submit a Claim or receive compensation from this Settlement.

Legal information about the Settlement is available free of charge for Class Members through Class Counsel. Class Counsel is Sotos LLP, Kugler Kandestin LLP, Miller Titerle + Company, Nahwegahbow Corbiere, and Fasken LLP, collectively. These are the law firms representing Class Members.

Class Counsel can be contacted through the Administrator at 1‑833‑852‑0755 (toll-free).

Free support with filling out a Claim Form is available at no cost for Class Members and their families. For more information about the resources available to support Class Members, explore this website or contact the Administrator by calling 1‑833‑852‑0755 or emailing Generalinfo@Contact.FNChildClaims.ca.

Any legal professional assisting Class Members with their Claim or publishing information directed to Class Members related to this Settlement must obtain prior approval from the Federal Court and follow the Non-Class Counsel Legal Professionals Protocol. These measures were put in place to help ensure that Class Members receive the full amount of their Settlement funds, without any reduction for legal services.

Yes, free mental health and wellness support is available 24 hours a day through the Hope for Wellness Helpline at 1-855-242-3310 or online at HopeForWellness.ca. Support is available in English, French, Cree and Ojibway (Anishinaabemowin) on request.

Children and youth can also call the Kids Help Phone anytime at 1-800-668-6868 or text FIRSTNATIONS to 686868.

Yes. Online resources and information are available to help you make the most of your money, including how to plan for receiving your compensation, how to protect your money, what to know about financial accounts and products, and questions to ask an organization or someone you know who is good with finances.

AFOA Canada has also developed financial wellness webinars and resources to support Claimants of this Settlement. These webinars are intended to provide general, culturally relevant financial information to help Claimants prepare for and manage their compensation.

Learn about the financial information and resources provided by the Settlement.

Several supports and resources are available for First Nations communities and service providers so they can assist Claimants throughout the process.

Regional Liaisons work directly with First Nations and First Nations organizations, offering their experience and knowledge of the region to provide support and guidance. Regional Liaisons help communities stay informed about the Settlement and the Claims Process for each Class. As part of their role, they attend regional meetings, offer briefings on the Settlement, share progress updates and answer questions from First Nations leaders.

In addition, First Nations communities and organizations can request support from a Claims Helper, who can provide presentations, workshops, and private support on how to fill out and submit Claim Forms.

To be connected with a Regional Liaison or to request a presentation for your community, please contact the Administrator at 1-833-852-0755 or email GeneralInfo@Contact.FNChildClaims.ca.

Resources are also available on this website to support community organizations and service providers, including:

• A Cultural Safety and Inclusiveness training webinar series

• A community toolkit with printable and virtual materials communities can use to raise awareness about the Settlement

• A searchable resource library with all Settlement documents and videos in one place

Information you provide to the Administrator or other Settlement staff, including Claims Helpers, will be kept confidential at all times, as prescribed by the Settlement Agreement. This includes information you provide on your Claim Form and any supporting documentation you submit along with your Claim.

Your personal information will be used in accordance with the terms of the Settlement Agreement, unless specifically authorized and agreed to by the Settlement Implementation Committee or court order.

The Administrator uses a range of physical, electronic, and managerial measures to ensure that personal data is kept secure, accurate, and up to date.

The Administrator will destroy all Claimant information and documentation in its possession two years after completing the payment of all compensation under this Settlement Agreement. The only exception is if a Claimant or their legal representative specifically requests the return of their information within the two-year period.

Learn more about the Administrator's privacy policy.

If you have any questions about privacy, please contact the Administrator toll-free at 1-833-852-0755.

An extensive, Court-approved Notice Plan sets out requirements to ensure Class Members are:

• Informed about the Settlement
• Understand their rights
• Know how to submit a Claim for compensation
• Can access resources and supports

Efforts to raise awareness about the Settlement and each Class’s Claims Period include television, radio, social media, in-community advertising, direct mail, and other outreach efforts.

You can also sign up to receive Settlement updates.

No. The Jordan’s Principle Class under the First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Settlement is different from Jordan’s Principle products, supports and services provided by Indigenous Services Canada. Please refer to Indigenous Services Canada’s website for general information on Jordan’s Principle requests. If you have specific questions about your Jordan’s Principle request, please contact your Regional Focal Point. A list of Focal Points and contact information can be found on the website.

Yes. The First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Settlement is separate and different from requests for products, support and services provided by Indigenous Services Canada or from your First Nations government or a local health authority under Jordan’s Principle. Please read this article to learn more about the differences.

As outlined in the Settlement Agreement, being a Jordan’s Principle Class Member in this Settlement will not have any effect on pending, approved or future requests for Jordan’s Principle products, support or services.

Claims for compensation under this Settlement are managed by the Administrator in accordance with the terms of the Settlement Agreement. Eligibility for compensation is determined based on whether your situation meets the requirements laid out in the Settlement Agreement.

The Essential Service Classes in this Settlement (Jordan’s Principle Class, Jordan’s Principle Family Class, Trout Class, Trout Family Class, and Essential Service Class) provide compensation for those who experienced a delay, denial, or gap in receiving essential services.

Learn more about the requirements on the eligibility page for your Class.