OAS Guides

Eligibility checks

Can I get government home care?

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Publicly funded home care helps people stay safe at home with nursing, personal care and practical help. It is run by your province or territory and based on need, not age. This check tells you who to call and what it may cost.

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Do you, or the person you are helping, need help to stay safe at home?

For example: nursing or wound care, help with pills, bathing or dressing, meals or housework, or getting back on your feet after a hospital stay. There is usually no minimum age.

Where does the person who needs care live?

Each province and territory runs its own home care program.

Which province do you live in?

Which of these is your province or territory?

Which province do you live in?

Which province do you live in?

Which territory do you live in?

Likely not eligible

You likely do not need home care right now.

Why

Government home care is based on assessed need, not age. It is for people who need health care or practical help to stay safe at home.

What to do next

  1. If your health changes, or after a hospital stay, call your local home care office. In most places you can call yourself.
  2. Family caregivers can ask about respite, which gives them a break.
  3. Some veterans, survivors and primary caregivers can also get help through the Veterans Independence Program. Call Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You can likely ask Ontario Health atHome for an assessment.

Why

You need a valid provincial or territorial health card. A care coordinator assesses your needs, and the program decides what help you get and how often. In Ontario, nursing, therapy, personal support and end-of-life care through Ontario Health atHome are government-funded. Community support services, such as meal programs, may have a co-payment.

What to do next

  1. Call Ontario Health atHome at 1-833-515-1234. You, a family member or your doctor can call.
  2. Before the assessment, have ready your health card, your doctor's name and number, a list of your medications and an emergency contact. Be specific about what you struggle with.
  3. If you disagree with a decision about eligibility, the amount of service or an end to service, you can appeal to the Health Services Appeal and Review Board at 1-866-282-2179.
  4. Some veterans, survivors and primary caregivers can also get help through the Veterans Independence Program. Call Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You can likely ask your CLSC for an assessment.

Why

You need a valid provincial or territorial health card. A care coordinator assesses your needs, and the program decides what help you get and how often. In Quebec, you apply directly to your local CLSC (local community service centre), which assesses your needs.

What to do next

  1. Contact your local CLSC and ask for a home care assessment.
  2. Before the assessment, have ready your health card, your doctor's name and number, a list of your medications and an emergency contact. Be specific about what you struggle with.
  3. If you are 70 or older, ask about the refundable Quebec tax credit for home-support services.
  4. Some veterans, survivors and primary caregivers can also get help through the Veterans Independence Program. Call Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You can likely ask your health authority for an assessment.

Why

You need a valid provincial or territorial health card. A care coordinator assesses your needs, and the program decides what help you get and how often. In British Columbia, home support has a daily rate based on income. People who get the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or the Allowance pay nothing. If you have earned income, you are not charged more than $300 a month.

What to do next

  1. Contact the home and community care office of your health authority: Fraser, Interior, Island, Northern or Vancouver Coastal. You can refer yourself, or a doctor, nurse, pharmacist or social worker can refer you.
  2. Before the assessment, have ready your health card, your doctor's name and number, a list of your medications and an emergency contact. Be specific about what you struggle with.
  3. If paying the daily rate would cause serious financial hardship, ask for a lower rate.
  4. Some veterans, survivors and primary caregivers can also get help through the Veterans Independence Program. Call Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You can likely get a home care assessment through Health Link.

Why

You need a valid provincial or territorial health card. A care coordinator assesses your needs, and the program decides what help you get and how often. In Alberta, a registered nurse at Health Link helps set up the assessment. No referral is needed.

What to do next

  1. Call Health Link at 811. Someone can call for you.
  2. Before the assessment, have ready your health card, your doctor's name and number, a list of your medications and an emergency contact. Be specific about what you struggle with.
  3. Some veterans, survivors and primary caregivers can also get help through the Veterans Independence Program. Call Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You can likely get a home care assessment in Saskatchewan.

Why

You need a valid provincial or territorial health card. A care coordinator assesses your needs, and the program decides what help you get and how often. In Saskatchewan, nursing assessment, care coordination and therapy are free. Homemaking, meals and home maintenance have fees based on income and the number of services.

What to do next

  1. Contact your local Saskatchewan Health Authority home care office through the health authority's website.
  2. Before the assessment, have ready your health card, your doctor's name and number, a list of your medications and an emergency contact. Be specific about what you struggle with.
  3. Some veterans, survivors and primary caregivers can also get help through the Veterans Independence Program. Call Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You can likely get a home care assessment in Manitoba.

Why

You need a valid provincial or territorial health card. A care coordinator assesses your needs, and the program decides what help you get and how often. In Manitoba, the Home Care Program runs through your regional health authority.

What to do next

  1. Call your region's home care program. Winnipeg: 204-926-7000. Interlake-Eastern: 1-855-347-8500. Northern: 204-687-4870. Prairie Mountain: 1-855-474-3338. Southern Health-Santé Sud: 1-800-742-6509.
  2. Before the assessment, have ready your health card, your doctor's name and number, a list of your medications and an emergency contact. Be specific about what you struggle with.
  3. If you disagree with a decision, you can appeal to the Manitoba Health Appeal Board.
  4. Some veterans, survivors and primary caregivers can also get help through the Veterans Independence Program. Call Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You can likely get help at home in New Brunswick.

Why

You need a valid provincial or territorial health card. A care coordinator assesses your needs, and the program decides what help you get and how often. In New Brunswick, nursing and rehabilitation at home come from the Extra-Mural Program. In-home support, such as personal care, light housekeeping and meals, is not covered by Medicare, but the province helps pay if you cannot afford the full cost.

What to do next

  1. For nursing or rehabilitation, call the Extra-Mural Program at 506-457-4800. You or your family can call directly.
  2. For in-home support, contact your local Social Development office. A social worker assesses your needs.
  3. Before the assessment, have ready your health card, your doctor's name and number, a list of your medications and an emergency contact. Be specific about what you struggle with.
  4. Some veterans, survivors and primary caregivers can also get help through the Veterans Independence Program. Call Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You can likely get a home care assessment in Nova Scotia.

Why

You need a valid provincial or territorial health card. A care coordinator assesses your needs, and the program decides what help you get and how often. In Nova Scotia, nursing is free. Other home care costs depend on your income and the services you need.

What to do next

  1. Call Continuing Care at 1-800-225-7225. A care coordinator meets with you to complete the assessment.
  2. Before the assessment, have ready your health card, your doctor's name and number, a list of your medications and an emergency contact. Be specific about what you struggle with.
  3. Some veterans, survivors and primary caregivers can also get help through the Veterans Independence Program. Call Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You can likely get a home care assessment on Prince Edward Island.

Why

You need a valid provincial or territorial health card. A care coordinator assesses your needs, and the program decides what help you get and how often. On PEI, Health PEI Home Care runs the program.

What to do next

  1. You, your family or your doctor can send a referral form to your local Home Care office. Charlottetown: 902-368-4790. Summerside: 902-888-8440. Montague: 902-838-0786. Souris: 902-687-7096. O'Leary: 902-859-8730.
  2. Before the assessment, have ready your health card, your doctor's name and number, a list of your medications and an emergency contact. Be specific about what you struggle with.
  3. Some veterans, survivors and primary caregivers can also get help through the Veterans Independence Program. Call Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

Ask your regional health authority about home support.

Why

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Home Support Program runs through your regional health authority. Staff assess whether you are eligible for a subsidy. Our guide does not list the income rules or fees.

What to do next

  1. Contact your regional health authority and ask for a Home Support Program assessment.
  2. Before the assessment, have ready your health card, your doctor's name and number, a list of your medications and an emergency contact. Be specific about what you struggle with.
  3. If you are not sure who to call, call 211 to find local help.
  4. Some veterans, survivors and primary caregivers can also get help through the Veterans Independence Program. Call Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You can likely ask Yukon's Home Care Program for an assessment.

Why

You need a valid provincial or territorial health card. A care coordinator assesses your needs, and the program decides what help you get and how often. In Yukon, you can refer yourself by phone.

What to do next

  1. Call the Home Care Program. Whitehorse: 867-667-5774. Toll-free: 1-877-667-5774.
  2. Before the assessment, have ready your health card, your doctor's name and number, a list of your medications and an emergency contact. Be specific about what you struggle with.
  3. Some veterans, survivors and primary caregivers can also get help through the Veterans Independence Program. Call Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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We cannot tell from your answers

Ask your local home care program or health centre.

Why

In the Northwest Territories, home care is run by your local Health and Social Services Authority home care program or community health centre. Our guide does not list a phone number or fees.

What to do next

  1. Contact your local community health centre and ask for a home care assessment.
  2. Before the assessment, have ready your health card, your doctor's name and number, a list of your medications and an emergency contact. Be specific about what you struggle with.
  3. Some veterans, survivors and primary caregivers can also get help through the Veterans Independence Program. Call Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Likely eligible

You can likely get a home care assessment in Nunavut.

Why

You need a valid provincial or territorial health card. A care coordinator assesses your needs, and the program decides what help you get and how often. In Nunavut, you contact your community health centre or local home care office. You do not need a referral.

What to do next

  1. Contact your community health centre or local home care office, or call the Territorial Home and Continuing Care Program at 867-975-5941.
  2. Before the assessment, have ready your health card, your doctor's name and number, a list of your medications and an emergency contact. Be specific about what you struggle with.
  3. Some veterans, survivors and primary caregivers can also get help through the Veterans Independence Program. Call Veterans Affairs Canada at 1-866-522-2122.

More help

This check is general information, not legal or financial advice. OAS Guides is not part of, or connected to, the Government of Canada or Service Canada. Only the government office that runs the program can decide whether you qualify, and we cannot promise any result. Figures were last checked on 2026-10-04.

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Where these rules come from

  1. Home care for seniors (Government of Ontario)
  2. Coping with a loss of independence (Government of Quebec)
  3. Home support (Government of British Columbia)
  4. How to access continuing care (Government of Alberta)
  5. Home care (Government of Nova Scotia)
  6. Veterans Independence Program: Benefits at Home Policy (Veterans Affairs Canada)

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