If you have submitted an application to the MNO’s COVID-19 Support Programs please know that our staff is working to provide help as quickly as possible. An intake coordinator will be in contact. Thank you for your patience. The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) has put in place a variety of COVID-19 Support Programs to help MNO citizens and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. To view information about each program and apply please click on the black arrows below.
For more information please contact us at:
1-800-263-4889 Ext. 7 (Toll Free)
MNO COVID-19 Programs - Phase 2
Single Application Programs
The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) has extended their COVID-19 Financial Support Programs at a reduced capacity to continue to provide supports to MNO citizens currently affected by COVID-19.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must provide Métis Nation of Ontario Citizenship card or letter.
- Must not be receiving COVID 1 9 support from any other Métis Government
- Must provide banking information (direct deposit or void cheque – must include Citizen’s/guardian’s name or proof of kinship)
- Have already received this benefit within the past year but can still show financial need.
Please note: When you apply to one of the programs in this section you will automatically be considered for the other programs listed. Please do not apply to each one as this will only slow down the application process. Each tab has the application link in the description. You only need to apply once. Please ensure you have read the program description carefully so that you can include any documents that are needed in your application.
COVID-19 Back-to-School funds are for MNO citizens with children in Grades 7-12. The fund provides families with an electronic Walmart Gift Card to purchase supplies that will help ease the financial burden of return to school.
Please note, that there are a limited number of Back to School funds and they will be sent on a first come first serve basis.
For the child to be eligible, they must meet the following criteria:
- The parent and/or child will need to provide proof of MNO Citizenship
- Must reside in Ontario
- Child must be entering grades 7-12 for the 2022 school year and must be older than 12 years of age at the time of application
- Each eligible child will receive a $150 Walmart electronic gift card (this is a one time fund)
Other Considerations:
- This is an electronic gift card so an email address will be required for delivery
- Please allow 2 weeks for the Back-to-School fund to be delivered before contacting staff
CONTACT: To access these services or learn more about the Program please contact the COVID-19 Support Program Team at 1-800-263-4889 Ext. 7 or email covidhelp@metisnation.org
Individuals may be eligible if you are unemployed/have lost income due to COVID-19 as of August 1, 2022, and are not receiving other social assistance. ($100 per day after the first 3 days of being off, which are covered by WSIB. Up to Maximum of $500)
This could be as a result of layoff, job loss, loss of self-employment, reduction in work hours, requirement to quarantine, self-isolate, caring for children due to school daycare closures, or caring for someone who is sick due to COVID-19.
Documents required: Proof loss of income due to COVID-19
- Physician/Employer Letter – Includes business head and signed by Physician or employer which confirms you have lost income and dates you were away.
- Record of Employment, which shows you are laid off due to COVID.
APPLY: https://covid.metisnation.org
CONTACT: To access these services or learn more about the Program please contact the COVID-19 Support Program Team at 1-800-263-4889 Ext. 7 or email covidhelp@metisnation.org
Individuals and Families who have lost primary income since August 1st, 2022 or have income below $35,000 single and $50,000 couple may be eligible for $200 per Citizen and child in the house hold to a maximum of $800.00.
Documents required: Proof of need for food security
- Physician/Employer Letter – Must include business head and be signed by Physician or employer which confirms you have lost income and the dates you were away
- Record of Employment which shows you are laid off due to COVID.
- Proof of age for children such as picture/copy of a birth certificate, passport, health card.
APPLY: https://covid.metisnation.org
CONTACT: To access these services or learn more about the Program please contact the COVID-19 Support Program Team at 1-800-263-4889 Ext. 7 or email covidhelp@metisnation.org
Seniors (61 plus) may be eligible for $200 per Citizen if their income is below $35,000 single and couple $50,000.
Documents required: Proof of income
- Notice of Assessment from Canada Revenue Agency
APPLY: https://covid.metisnation.org
CONTACT: To access these services or learn more about the Program please contact the COVID-19 Support Program Team at 1-800-263-4889 Ext. 7 or email covidhelp@metisnation.org
Social Assistance and Ontario Disability Support Program Recipients
Social Assistance and Ontario Disability Support Program recipients should be aware that these benefits may affect their social assistance benefits and are suggested to inquire with their case worker before applying.
Payment of Funds
Funds will be paid to MNO Citizens via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
Please note – Social Assistance and Ontario Disability Support Program recipients should be aware that this funding may affect their benefits and should speak to their case worker before applying.
For assistance or more information please contact our toll-free number at 1-800-263-4889 Ext. 7
Your COVID-19 Vaccine questions answered
Information on COVID-19 vaccine clinics throughout Ontario
Individual Application Programs
Please note: For programs listed in this section you will need to apply to each one separately. Each tab has the application link in the description. Please ensure you have read the program description carefully so that you can include any documents that are needed in your application.
From early on in the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) was quick to mobilize and develop a suite of emergency support programs to help the Métis community. The MNO and the Métis Voyageur Development Fund developed the Métis Micro-Business Fund to relieve financial pressure and support the viability of Métis-owned small and micro-businesses, as well as strengthen operations so business owners are well positioned for recovery. We hope the financial assistance provided for helped in these challenging times. We are very pleased to provide an opportunity to re-apply to the Métis Micro-Business Fund if you are still in need of financial support!
Similarly to the first round of funding, the Métis Micro-Business Fund will provide non-repayable financial support to Métis home and family based businesses, generating less than $40,000 in a year. Eligible micro-businesses may receive contributions of up to $8,000, based on revenue. If your business revenues are still impacted by COVID-19, please consider applying for further assistance from the Métis Micro-Business Fund.
Elgibility Criteria:
- MNO Citizen (must provide citizenship number on application)
- 18 years of age or older
- Lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Business revenue of less than $40K/yr
- Total family income of less than $160K/yr
- Have not accessed CEBA through a mainstream financial institution or Métis Emergency Business Funding (MEBF) through MVDF
What is considered a microbusiness?
Métis micro-entrepreneurs might include:
- Crafters (beadwork, painters, carvers, artisans, etc.); individuals that cook/bake/make Medicines; individuals who conduct cultural events (fiddlers, dancers, etc.); Guides for the tourist industry; Trappers; individuals that run a small business from their home (hairdressing, sewing, house cleaning, etc.)
APPLY: For more information including documentation requirements and how to apply please visit microgrant.metisnation.org
PLEASE NOTE: Due to a high volume of requests, we are unable to process any further applications for the COVID-19 Rent Supplement Program as of November 12, 2021. MNO Citizens may still be able to access our regular homelessness prevention and intervention supports through the Housing Stabilization Program. If you are not an MNO citizen and have a housing-related crisis, please contact 211 to find your most appropriate local resources.
Due to new funding from the Social Service Relief Fund (SSRF), the MNO through the COVID-19 Rent Supplement Program is able to provide short-term rent supplement support to help cover 3 months of rent up to $1500 as a one-time payment. This service is available to any Indigenous person in need of support as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note, the deadline to apply to this Program is November 26th, 2021.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be low-income
- Self-identify as Indigenous
- Applicants cannot be related to the owner or landlord of the property
- Applicants must not have received a Rent Supplement within the last 6 months
- Must be resident of Ontario
CONTACT: To access these services or learn more about the Program please contact Program Coordinator Adrienne Belanger-Barnes by email at adrienneb@metisnation.org or by phone at 807-355-9062. Please note: Financial literacy support and resources are available to all Métis Nation of Ontario citizens. Please contact our Financial Literacy Coordinator Jessica for more information at JessicaD@metisnation.org
PLEASE NOTE: Due to a high volume of requests we are unable to process any further applications for the COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program as of November 12, 2021. MNO Citizens may still be able to access our regular homelessness prevention and intervention supports through the regular Housing Stabilization Program. If you are not an MNO citizen and have a housing-related crisis, please contact 211 to find your most appropriate local resources.
The MNO has launched a COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program to provide aid to those:
- facing eviction and have received an eviction notice from their landlord
- who are precariously housed
- who are homeless
Due to new funding from the Social Service Relief Fund (SSRF), the Program is able to provide the following services to any Indigenous person in need of support as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Emergency financial support for rental and utility arrears incurred after March 2020
- First and Last Month’s rent for persons exiting homelessness
- Access to basic needs provisions such as food, PPE, and personal hygiene items
- Education and information on tenant rights and responsibilities
- Access to emergency shelters
- Internal and external referrals to housing supports and resources, include referrals to legal supports
Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for services, individuals must be low-income, identify as Indigenous and be a resident of Ontario.
MNO citizens accessing SSRF support are also eligible to receive additional services through Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy. Support will be assessed case by case for individuals or families based on their needs. Financial literacy support and resources are available to all MNO citizens. Please contact the MNO’s Financial Literacy Coordinator Jessica for more information at JessicaD@metisnation.org.
APPLY: To access these services or learn more about the Program please contact the MNO’s Housing Stabilization Program by email at housingstabilization@metisnation.org or by phone at 1-800-263-4889 Ext. 350
The Métis Nation of Ontario is pleased to announce the establishment of a Benevolent Fund. This fund is intended to provide financial support to Métis families who have experienced a loss in their family as of March 15, 2020 or later. Métis families can receive a one-time payment of $1,000 to assist with funeral costs. This benefit is limited to once per deceased.
APPLY: For more information, families can reach out to speak confidentially to a member of the MNO staff by email at benevolentfund@metisnation.org or 1-800-263-4889 Ext. 277
As part of MNO’s extension of the COVID-19 Relief Fund Program, the Métis Nation of Ontario is relaunching the K-12 Education Support Fund. Families may be eligible to receive a benefit of $500 per child for the 2021-2022 school year, to support the purchase of educational supports and materials directly related to the child’s education (e.g., school supplies, books, learning software, counselling services, additional technology supports for online learning, etc.). This benefit is limited to one payment per child.
To qualify for these MNO K-12 Education Support Fund:
- Parent or child must be a citizen of the Metis Nation of Ontario and reside in Ontario
- Child(ren) must be attending K-12 education during the 2021-22 school year
- Provide proof of child(ren)’s age (i.e. copy of birth certificate, passport, heath card, etc.)
- Must not be receiving emergency support from any other Métis Government
APPLY: https://bit.ly/3veIH2E
CONTACT: To access these services or learn more about the Program please contact the COVID-19 Support Program Team at 1-800-263-4889 (Toll Free) or email covidhelp@metisnation.org
As part of MNO’s extension of it’s COVID-19 relief fund program, the MNO is relaunching a one-time opportunity – on a first come first serve basis – for citizens to access the Extra-Curricular Support Program to ages 13 – 18 years to support the healthy growth and development Métis youth. The program is designed to support the social, physical and mental well-being of our Métis youth with a focus on developmentally supportive activities. Please note, the deadline to apply for this Program is February 15, 2022.
The following general guidelines apply to reimbursement for activities and equipment under the Program:
- The activity and/or equipment must be developmentally appropriate and align with the age of the child.
- The activity/equipment must be for use specifically by the child(ren).
- Detailed receipts may be requested to verify the equipment is suitable for the child.
- Quantities of items reimbursed may be limited per child if the item can be used for multiple activities.
To qualify for the MNO Extra-Curricular Support Program:
- Parent or child must be a citizen of the Metis Nation of Ontario and reside in Ontario
- Child(ren) must be attending K-12 education during the 2021-22 school year
- Provide proof of child(ren)’s age (i.e. copy of birth certificate, passport, heath card, etc.)
- Must not be receiving emergency support from any other Métis Government
- Previous recipients of last year’s Extra Curricular Support Program may qualify for this benefit.
DEADLINE: February 15, 2022
APPLY: https://bit.ly/3kjDRwP
CONTACT: If you have any additional questions about the COVID-19 Extra-Curricular Support Program, please email us at covidhelp@metisnation.org or call us at 1-613-295-4980
In an effort to manage and mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in our communities, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) is offering COVID Care Kits to Citizens and their families who are currently caring for a sick family member, or are considered a high risk household.
APPLY: Click here for more information on the MNO COVID Care Kits and how to apply
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