My family has arrived, what do I do now?

After your family has settled you or a helper will have to help them apply for services.

1. Bank Account
Required: Original passport, work visa (CUAET visa), address, no charge
recommended to advise Bank in advance and make an appointment- Debit card will be issued at appointment. Credit cards will need job and history.- Obtain letter from bank confirming address

2. Medical Insurance Plan (OHIP) Service OntarioRequired: Original passport, work visa, no charge, bank letter with address (sometimes this is waived)
Suggested: Download application online and fill it out before going. Appointments can be made in advance online, or go early in the morning.https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-ohip-and-get-health-card

3. Social Insurance Number (SIN). Service Canada
Required: Passport, visa/ work permit, bank letter confirming address, no cost
Suggested: go early. Appointments can be made in advance online.
Richard Hone recommends completing this step online unless you have a job offer.
https://www.canada.ca/…/employm…/services/sin/apply.html

4. Medical Examination – Immigration requirement
Within 90 days of arrival. Must be approved by Government panel. List available:
https://secure.cic.gc.ca/pp-md/pp-list.aspxRequired: passport, work permit. There is a fee for this service. $200 +

5. Family doctor
suggested: I reached out to my own family doctor, who said she would cover anyone at my home address. There may be listings of possible doctors, dentists, optometrists through Ukraine Help Middlesex (London, On, Canada) site. Look for #resources under topics. I’ll leave a link below.

6. SIM cards for cell phones. Apparently Fido is providing free calls to Ukraine and bordering countries.

7. Government Support Ontario Works
Ukrainians may apply for $500/week for 6 weeks.

8. Shopping
There will no doubt be things they need, not too long after arrival, like underwear, or feminine products, or whatever. It is recommended that you take them somewhere that will not be too overwhelming. They will need lots of time and someone willing to go over every item and explain. We should have family helpers assigned to help with this, if you are not able. There are a couple of stores in London that carry Ukrainian foods.

9. Socializing
It’s not recommended that you invite people over too soon, nor expose your families to too much interaction until they are ready. Having said that, they will enjoy meeting with other Ukrainians in the neighbourhood.

10. Psychological Support
Be present. Be kind. Listen. Leave counselling to the experts. The depth of their loss is beyond anything we can understand. If you suspect a need for counselling support, check the FB resource page for volunteer therapists. Talking with others in the same boat may help.

11. Self Care
It’s important we take of ourselves in this process. Set clear boundaries. For example, due to my chronic condition, I need to rest a couple of times a day. I have already discussed this with my family so there are no surprises. Negotiate handling communal living. Take time out for yourself and your own family. Invite a volunteer to take your guests on an outing without you. This is a preliminary draft, having not yet actually hosted. If you experience anything different or want to add/subtract any of the details, let me know. This whole movement has been powered by the compassion of amazing volunteers, in an incredibly short period of time, and you are part of that cog! Bless you!

Ukraine Help Middlesex (London, On, Canada) resource page: https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/resources/…

When in doubt, give a shoutout. Likely someone else will have the same question too.