Essential Transportation Program v2

Vulnerable Population Essential Transportation Reimbursement Program

  • As of February 15, 2021, band members aged 60+ are eligible for a monthly subsidy valued at $50 (per household) to support travel for the purchase of groceries and other essential items during the pandemic. This benefit will run until the available fund has been fully allocated.
  • Seniors who require a taxi to travel may request a pre-paid shuttle/taxi in lieu of the $50.00 subsidy.
  • If a shuttle/taxi is required, you may contact our COVID-19 Support Team at 709-634-5163.
  • Shuttle/Taxi Trips must be pre-approved and submitted as soon as possible, as this program is a first come first serve basis. Allocated funds will be disbursed until total funds are exhausted.
  • Limit of one trip per month, per household.
  • Member’s must apply each month to receive the vulnerable population essential travel reimbursement.
  • Remember to include your Band registration (or identification)
  • Ensure you have completed all sections of your reimbursement form and signed where applicable to avoid your claim being returned to you for further revision and subsequent delay.

Application Form

For a printable copy of this form, please click here: Vulnerable Population Essential Transportation Form (Updated: 23-02-2021)

Client Information

First Name
Last Name
Band Number
Birth Date
Format: yyyy-mm-dd
 Please use my EFT information on file.
OR attach EFT form (optional)

We will issue a cheque if EFT information is not available or provided by the member

Street Address
City
Province
Postal Code
Phone Number
E-mail Address



Trip Details

Reimbursement Option
If a taxi is required please fill in the information below, we will contact you to make arrangements with confirmation of travel.

Date of Trip
Travel From
Travel To


Essential Worker Childcare Program v2

Essential Worker Childcare Reimbursement Program

Qalipu First Nation Band members, who were essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and incurred childcare costs, are eligible to apply for up to $200 in monthly benefits per child (ages 0-13).  This benefit can be paid retroactively starting in April 2020 and will require a letter from the members’ employer verifying their status as an essential worker (Essential Worker Verification Form included in application), and childcare receipts.  This benefit will be paid until the available support fund has been fully allocated.

Application Form

For a printable copy of this form, please click here: Essential Worker Childcare Reimbursement Form
For a printable copy of the required Essential Worker Verification form click here: Essential Worker Verification Form

Program Eligibility:
Members of Qalipu First Nation required to report to a place of work deemed as an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic are considered an essential employee (eg. Healthcare workers, pharmacists, first responders, police officers, correctional officers, public servants, early childhood educators, grocery store workers, restaurant employees, gas attendants, and workers that are essential to supply critical goods such as food and medicines).

Essential workers are not eligible for essential service childcare where:

  1. An adult residing in the home is working from home.
  2. A person residing in the home is able to care for children.

Note: Verification of your status as an essential employee is required from your employer, please see below for the Essential Worker Verification Form for completion by your employer.

Application Process:
Step 1: Obtain Employer Confirmation
Please have your employer complete and sign the Essential Worker Verification Form, and return it to you so that you can include it with your application. Your application will not be considered if this portion of the application is missing.

The form can be obtained here: Essential Worker Verification Form

Step 2: Apply
After attaching the completed Essential Worker Verification Form, carefully complete sections 1 through 5, below. Note that in Section 4 you are asked to attach receipts.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted; we will notify you of the error and invite you to apply again.

If you require assistance in completing this application, please contact one of our COVID-19 Support Specialists for assistance at covidsupport@qalipu.ca or 709-634-5163.

Attach Essential Worker Confirmation Form



Section 1 - Essential Worker Information

First Name
Last Name
Band Number
Birth Date
Format: yyyy-mm-dd
 Please use my EFT information on file.
OR attach EFT form (optional)

We will issue a cheque if EFT information is not available or provided by the member

Street
City
Province
Postal Code
Phone Number
E-mail Address



Section 2 - Childcare Service Provider

Provider Name
Phone Number
Street
City
Province
Postal Code
Number of Children Attended
Number of Months Being Claimed



Section 3 - Dependents Information
Dependent must be clearly identified on each childcare invoice attached in section 4.

Dependent 1

First Name
Last Name
Band Number
Birth Date
Dependent 2

First Name
Last Name
Band Number
Birth Date


Dependent 3

First Name
Last Name
Band Number
Birth Date


Dependent 4

First Name
Last Name
Band Number
Birth Date


Dependent 5

First Name
Last Name
Band Number
Birth Date


Dependent 6

First Name
Last Name
Band Number
Birth Date



Section 4 - Attach childcare receipts
Attach a childcare receipt for every month for the provider above. If additional providers were used, please fill out another form.















Section 5 - Authorization
Qalipu First Nation requires your authorization to collect information from you (including receipts) for services provided to you. By clicking send, I authorize the release of any records that are relevant to the processing and payment of this claim to Qalipu First Nation, it’s agents or contractors, or Regulatory Body for the purpose of administrative audit. I declare the information to be true and accurate and does not contain a claim for any benefit or service previously paid for by Qalipu First Nation or by any other plan(s)/program(s) that is noted in the statement or explanations of benefits.

Click here for the Electronic Funds Transfer form
covid benefits q and a

I submitted my application and I want to know if you received it. I called/sent an email and have not received confirmation that you received my application. What’s going on?

We have received thousands of applications and do not have enough staff resources to search for individual applications.  This means we are not able to provide verification of received applications.  When you apply online, you will know your application was received by the confirmation message that reads Thank you, your message has been sent.

I don’t have access to a computer or internet. How can I apply for these benefits?

Since our office locations are closed, we encourage you to ask someone in your family or a friend to help fill out the form online on your behalf.   Many seniors have applied for the travel benefit this way.

If you are unable to do this, you can request a form be mailed to you by calling 634-5163 and leaving a message.  We will respond as quickly as resources permit.

Do I have to apply every month for the seniors travel benefit?

Yes.  Applications for February do not carry forward beyond this month and so on.  You must apply each month.

Do I have to pay taxes on these benefits?

No.  The travel benefit for seniors is like a reimbursement; it goes through Accounts Payable, does not require a SIN and does not lead to the generation of a T4.

We are unsure at this time whether members will be taxed on the childcare benefit.  Once we receive a response from the Canada Revenue Agency, we will post an update.

Will there be opportunities to apply for these benefits later?

We have a limited amount of money for these benefits currently, however we are seeking additional funds.  We know that the demand for these benefits is there, and now that the program has been established, we will be working with our partners in seeking additional funds to carry this program for a longer period of time.

When will I receive my payment?

We are working to keep things moving and aim to process payment within 6-8 weeks of receipt of your application.

For the Essential Worker Childcare Benefit, can I submit one receipt for the whole year or do I need a receipt for each month?

Yes, you can submit a receipt for the whole year.  Please ensure that the name on the receipt matches the name of the applicant, that it shows the date(s) for which the service was provided, the name of the provider, the date of the receipt, and has an invoice number.

I realized after I sent my application that I made an error or forgot to attach something. Can I submit this now?

No, due to the high volume of applications and limited staff resources we cannot accept incomplete or incorrect applications and go looking for the other information.  Incomplete applications will be rejected.  You will still be able to apply again.

My receipt does not have a receipt number. Can I still use it?

We require all invoices, receipts to have a unique identification number (Receipt Number/Invoice Number). These unique numbers allow us to identify invoices/receipts that have already been reimbursed or outstanding.  This is a requirement of all departments within QFN. It ensures accountability.

Why is there any age limit of 13 on the QFN Essential Worker Childcare program?

The program is modeled after a NL program: Essential Worker Child Care Service.  At the time of proposal this program was ending, and we noted a need to continue the support. We adapted the programs to meet our community needs.

I’m rotational worker or I work one week and am off another. How does the Essential Worker Childcare help me?

If your employer deems you an essential worker. Have your employer identify the weeks that you are required to report to the worksite.   The program is designed to support members that are required to report to work and can not work from home.

Can I access the QFN Essential Worker Childcare program while I’m on Employment Insurance, Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefits, Canada Recovery Sickness Benefits, maternity, parental, medical, or other types of leaves?

No, as you are on leave from your employment.  The program eligibility is for members who are required to report to work and have been deemed essential to the employers operations.

I’m just finding out about the QFN Vulnerable Population Essential Transportation Reimbursement Program. Can I apply for past months, is it retroactive?

Unfortunately, no. As the pandemic level changes and we move into the next wave(s) of Covid-19, we need to ensure that QFN seniors are supported by having financial barriers reduced relating to accessing essential supplies.  Therefore, there is an option for $50 travel subsidy and prearranged shuttle/taxi service. To ensure accessibility, the program is designed to support seniors monthly.

I do not have a Band number (034XXXXXXX), but I have Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada file number. Can I use that to access the QFN COVID-19 programs?

If we can not validate your Band Membership, we can not provide support under these programs. Both the Essential Worker Childcare and Vulnerable Population Essential Transportation Reimbursement Program are for members only, in Canada. This is part of the funding requirement.

I applied online. I’m mailing the application too.

We ask that members do not do this as it will increase the volume of applications, and the application will be flagged as a duplicate.   We encourage members to submit online.

The paper application says a signature is required, while the online applications does not. Why?

By submitting online, you are declaring and authorizing QFN to process your application.  This includes auditing. Your authorization allows us to collect information from you (including receipts) for services provided to you. The release of any records that are relevant to the processing and payment of this claim to Qalipu First Nation, it is agents or contractors, or Regulatory Body. You’re declaring the information that you submit online to be true and accurate and verifying that it does not contain a claim for any benefit or service previously paid for by Qalipu First Nation or by any other plan(s)/program(s) that is noted in the statement or explanations of benefits.