Please Note: First Nations Health Consortium does not make file approval or denials. Indigenous Services Canada Alberta regional office is responsible for application decisions in Alberta.
Service Access Resolution Fund (SARF)
Jordan’s Principle Payments and Reimbursement in Alberta
In 2019 Indigenous Services Canada transferred responsibility to the FNHC to administer the majority of individual approved Jordan’s Principle payments for the Alberta Region.
Once a Jordan’s Principle application decision has been made (adjudicated) by Indigenous Services Canada, the decision is relayed to FNHC’s Service Access Resolution Fund (SARF) staff to support payment.
Information on SARF processes are included in the below reference guide and FAQ’s. If your question is still not answered here, please contact us: [email protected].
Please note: SARF staff do not assist with Jordan’s Principle applications or the approvals process.
Learn more on the Jordan’s Principle applications process in Alberta.
For questions on your Jordan’s Principle application approval status, please contact Indigenous Services Canada: 1-833-632-4453 or by email (preferred): [email protected].
View the SARF Department Reference Guide and learn more about the documents and information you need to submit to the SARF Department to process your payment/reimbursement.
SARF FAQ's and Tips
FNHC’s SARF hours of operation are Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
We are closed on statutory and some other holidays.
All applications approvals from Indigenous Services Canada – Jordan’s Principle are valid from one year after the date of issue, unless otherwise stated from Jordan’s Principle.
- ♦ For example: Date of issue is January 1, 2024, date of expiry is January 1, 2025.
Indigenous Services Canada – Jordan’s Principle approvals that are marked urgent or time-sensitive are for application decision/adjudication purposes and not payment processing time.
We understand the urgency of all approvals and we try to process all approvals in a timely manner; however, payment processing is a minimum of 7-15 business days.
It is in your approval email received from Jordan’s Principle.
This is a reference number specific to your approval from Jordan’s Principle.
We are unable to locate your approval without your DEC (decision) number, so please have it readily available when you are contacting SARF.
Jordan’s Principle approvals are specific only to the child(ren) indicated on the approval.
This is to expedite the process, not all approvals will require this information to be completed.
This is sent in advance to be passed along to the Vendor you are working with or to submit your banking information if it is required for your approval.
Once an accommodation approval is received, a FNHC SARF staff member will be assigned to your file. They will contact you by telephone, if unable to reach you they will contact you by email.
Hotel approvals are arranged during regular FNHC business hours and must be made by 3:45 p.m. otherwise they will be addressed the next business day.
If you are currently located in a hotel and have requested a hotel extension and it is approved, you can request to extend your stay. The hotel will be contacted to check if there is availability to keep you in your current location. If not, you will need to locate another hotel to accommodate your family.
To learn more about the hotel approval process, please see the Accommodations Section of the SARF Department Reference Guide.
No, rewards points are not received on any travel or hotel stays that have come from a Jordan’s Principle approval. Unless the client pays for the hotel or travel and then seeks reimbursement.
An FNHC SARF staff member will contact you regarding your rent approval and inquire if you have any of the required documents as well as ask some questions.
In addition to this, we contact your rental company or landlord directly to request information.
To expedite the process, send any documents pertaining to your rental to the [email protected] email address along with your DEC number in the subject line, please ensure all attachments are in one email.
Rental approvals require the following to get processed:
- ♦ Copy of full signed lease agreement by both parties
- ♦ Statement on any outstanding amounts
- ♦ Full contact information of the rental company or landlord, email, phone number and full address
- ♦ Void cheque for rental company or landlord
We are unable to ensure your rent will be paid at the start of each month. If you can pay your rent and get a reimbursement, we suggest doing this to avoid delays.
Please refer to the reimbursement portion of the SARF Reference Guide to learn more about the reimbursement process.
FNHC’s SARF does not handle applications or approvals and are unable to authorize any changes or issue approvals to Jordan’s Principle applications.
A new Jordan’s Principle application must be created if there are new needs for the child(ren). Please contact FNHC toll-free at 1-844-558-8748 or on our website www.abfnhc.com/intakes and start a new intake with an Access Worker.
If you worked directly with Jordan’s Principle, please contact 1-833-632-4453 or by email (preferred): [email protected].
Indigenous Services Canada – Jordan’s Principle does not forward the documents you submitted in your original application – you must re-submit these documents to FNHC SARF for payment processing.
♦ For example: Lease agreements, quotes, receipts, and any other documents included in your application.
Please inform us immediately at [email protected] of any changes and include your DEC (decision) number you are referencing.
In addition, please ensure your contact information is up to date with Indigenous Services Canada, Jordan’s Principle – we are unable to contact you if we do not have the correct phone number or email address, this can delay the processing of your approval.
Once all the funds have been utilized on your Jordan’s Principle application approval – it is completed. We do not have the authority to change any amounts on your approval from Jordan’s Principle.
If your child needs additional supports/services, please submit another application to Jordan’s Principle.
For Jordan’s Principle applications, please contact FNHC toll-free at 1-844-558-8748 or on our website www.abfnhc.com/intakes and start a new intake with an Access Worker.
If you worked directly with Jordan’s Principle, please contact 1-833-632-4453 or by email (preferred): [email protected]
We only pay for services rendered – we do not pay for “no shows” or missed appointments, this is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
Jordan’s Principle is for children under the age of majority – any individual over the age of 18 in Alberta is considered an adult and is ineligible to access Jordan’s Principle.
Visit our transitions web page abfnhc.com/transitions for other supports that may be available for youth aging out of Jordan’s Principle.
This is specific to your approval, payment methods include direct deposit, cheque and/or credit card.
To create another Jordan’s Principle application, please contact FNHC toll-free at 1-844-558-8748 or on our website www.abfnhc.com/intakes and start a new intake with an Access Worker.
If you worked directly with Jordan’s Principle, please contact 1-833-632-4453 or by email (preferred): [email protected]
SARF Department Reference Guide
To prevent any significant delays in the processing of your payment after you’ve received an approval from Jordan’s Principle, please click the relevant drop-downs below to learn more about the documents and information you need to submit to the SARF Department:
Individual payments approved by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) are processed by either cheque, direct deposit and/or credit card, and are processed when all required forms related to payment are received by FNHC SARF Department.
Group Request payments are processed by the Alberta Region Jordan’s Principle Team.
1. ISC emails the FNHC SARF Department with Approval of Jordan’s Principle application(s).
2. FNHC SARF Department creates a file and gathers additional documentation required for the payment process, by emailing Vendor/Client attaching the required forms:
Direct Deposit Form & Financial Privacy Consent Form – Must be completed by the vendor or parent/guardian in order to have any payments processed.
Reimbursement Form – Reimbursements are processed based on actual receipts provided from the client, and clients are reimbursed only for the specific items indicated in the approval email from Jordan’s Principle.
Confirmation of Product or Service Received Form – Provided when items are shipped to children/youth.
All completed forms are returned to FNHC by one of the following:
Fax: (780) 784-8842
Email: [email protected]
Mail:
- First Nations Health Consortium
- Attn: SARF Department
- 17015 – 105 Avenue NW
- Edmonton, Alberta T5S 1M5
3. Vendors/clients email the SARF Department with the required forms and all the required documents requested, which may include
invoices and receipts;
4. When all the required forms have been obtained, reviewed and approved by the SARF Department, payment will be processed.
5. Vendor/client to email confirmation of receipts of payment to SARF at [email protected].
The timeline for payment processing is from the date we receive all the correct documentation to proceed with payment, not the approval date.
If we are waiting on documents or initial documents were missed, payment will be delayed. There is a minimum of 7-15 business days for SARF to complete or process payments.
If you receive a Jordan’s Principle approval for a specific need you may be issued a pre-paid gift card to utilize for the approval.
A FNHC SARF staff member will contact you via the contact information provided on your Jordan’s Principle approval to inquire if you would like to pick your gift card up in our office, or if you live out of town to have it couriered.
If you do not wish to receive a gift card for the approved items, you will need to inform the SARF department immediately upon receiving your approval via email at [email protected].
SARF requires receipts for gift card spending to verify funds were used for Jordan’s Principle needs. If you are issued a gift card, you must send copies of all your receipts to the [email protected] email address, with the DEC number in the subject line.
Photos must be clear and indicate the method of payment as well as the location it was utilized. If we do not receive receipts for your gift cards this could affect future application approvals.
♦ Any signs of receipt alteration or fraudulent activity will disqualify the applicant from receiving funds.
If your gift cards are to be couriered, you will need to provide a full mailing address, or the nearest Purolator pickup location. You will be issued a tracking number to follow the status of your shipment.
Track a Purolator shipment here: Track a Package or Shipment | Purolator]
If you are available to pick up your gift cards at our Edmonton office, you will need a valid government issued ID – no exceptions.
If you are unable to pick your gift card up, you can delegate another person to pick it up on your behalf. However, we require this in an email from your personal email address stated on the Jordan’s Principle approval informing us who will be picking it up – they need to provide government issued ID for pickup.
Under no circumstances will we issue gift cards without the above requirements.
We are located at 10451 – 170th Street NW, Edmonton – there is a buzzer on the North side of the building to enter.
The only day for gift card pickup is Thursday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
If you come any other day, you will be asked to return on the scheduled day.
If your gift cards are lost or stolen, you will need to contact Blackhawk Customer Service directly at 1-888-371-2109. If a gift card was stolen, we encourage you to notify local law enforcement.
We are unable to re-issue lost or stolen gift cards as your approval has already been completed and the funds have been utilized.
Procurement is a term we use to clarify certain purchases made by our department.
If your approval falls within this category, you will be contacted by a member of our procurement team.
They will discuss options of either our department purchasing item(s) and you picking up and/or delivering items to your home, or if you would prefer to purchase and seek reimbursement.
To expedite the purchasing process, it is best to have your quote or invoice ready to be emailed to our department with the correct DEC number.
If you have not chosen a vendor for your items, below is a list of preferred vendors we have dealt with previously.
Preferred Vendors:
- ♦ The Brick
- ♦ Leon’s
- ♦ Best Buy
- ♦ Home Depot
- ♦ Canadian Tire
- ♦ Babies “R” Us
The list of below vendors, we are unable to use due to various reasons:
- ♦ Amazon
- ♦ Wayfair
- ♦ Wal-Mart
- ♦ Costco
- ♦ Bed Bath & Beyond
Shipping & GST are included in your approval amount, if the item you were approved for does not have shipping & GST included there might be overages. If this happens, you would be responsible for paying any overages, as we are unable to go over the approved amount from Indigenous Services Canada – Jordan’s Principle.
Our procurement staff will discuss this with you prior to proceeding with the purchase of any item to try to avoid these issues.
All purchases are final, there are no returns.
Once an accommodation approval is received, a FNHC SARF staff member will be assigned to your file. They will contact you by telephone, if unable to reach you they will contact you by email.
Hotel approvals are arranged during regular FNHC business hours and must be made by 3:45 p.m. otherwise they will be addressed the next business day.
If you are currently located in a hotel and have requested a hotel extension and it is approved, you can request to extend your stay. The hotel will be contacted to check if there is availability to keep you in your current location. If not, you will need to locate another hotel to accommodate your family.
Please note:
- ♦ Valid government issued ID is required to check-in to your hotel. The identification is at the discretion of the hotel establishment, as it is their business.
- ♦ Any disrespect to the hotel or any hotel employees will not be tolerated. If we are notified of any issues with the hotel or their staff, we will contact you immediately.
- ♦ No unauthorized guests in the hotel room, only people stated on the approval are authorized to be in the hotel room, no exceptions.
- ♦ We do not cover any damage(s) or pet fees, just room and taxes, if any damage does occur you will be responsible for paying them direct to the hotel.
- ♦ If an individual or family are asked to vacate the hotel due to any disruptions, in the future FNHC will only support hotel reimbursement.
- ♦ If we are informed of any of the above issues or concerns, Indigenous Services Canada – Jordan’s Principle will be notified and it may impact your future Jordan’s Principle accommodations.
- ♦ Once your hotel arrangements have been made and reserved, you are unable to relocate. If you receive another extension, we can assess moving you at that time.
We do not work in the applications/approvals department and are unable to authorize an extension without approval from Indigenous Services Canada – Jordan’s Principle. If you require additional accommodations, an extension or assistance, please submit another application to Jordan’s Principle as soon as possible.
For Jordan’s Principle applications, please contact FNHC toll-free at 1-844-558-8748 or on our website www.abfnhc.com/intakes and start a new intake with an Access Worker.
If you worked directly with Jordan’s Principle, please contact 1-833-632-4453 or by email (preferred): [email protected].
Once a transportation approval is received, an FNHC SARF staff member will be assigned to your file and contact you by telephone, if unable to reach you they will contact you by email.
Transportation approvals are arranged during regular FNHC business hours and must be made by 3:45 p.m. otherwise they will be addressed the next business day.
All arrangements are pre-arranged with the transportation vendor, they are not authorized to make additional stops and they will not wait for an extended period upon pickup.
It is your responsibility to be ready and waiting for the timeframe prearranged with the transportation vendor, if there are any extra charges due to no-shows or excessive wait times, it will come out of the total of your approval amount.
All reimbursements must have the following documents to process:
- ♦ Reimbursement form
- ♦ Direct deposit form or a copy of a void cheque
- ♦ Proof of purchase / confirmation of appointment
- ♦ DEC in the subject line of email
- ♦ Email all attachments in one email to: [email protected]
Travel reimbursement for mileage: Please request confirmation of appointment from the medical or dental office where the appointment was attended.
Utility approvals must have the following:
- ♦ Full copy of the utility bill
- ♦ Name of the utility must match the Jordan’s Principle approval
- ♦ Address must match the Jordan’s Principle approval
- ♦ DEC in the subject line of email
- ♦ Email all attachments in one email to: [email protected]
Please note that some utility companies charge up to 3% processing fee to pay over the phone, this will be subtracted from the total of your utility bill and approval amount.
If respite is not being provided through an agency or organization, the service provider must have:
- ♦ a current clear/non‑flagged Criminal Record Check
- ♦ a current clear/non‑flagged Vulnerable Sector Check
- ♦ non‑expired Standard First Aid with CPR
- ♦ Copy of the FNHC Jordan’s Principle Respite Form signed by both parties, respite provider and parent/guardian
- Download Respite Form
- ♦ Name of the respite provider must match the direct deposit information
- ♦ Respite worker direct deposit information
- ♦ DEC in the subject line of email
- ♦ Email all attachments in one email to: [email protected]
If seeking reimbursement for respite you have already paid for, you must have all the requirements for reimbursement along with the respite form.
Respite Reimbursements must have the following:
- ♦ Reimbursement form
- Download Reimbursement Form
- ♦ Respite form
- Download Respite Form
- ♦ Direct deposit form or a copy of a void cheque
- ♦ Confirmation of payment (receipt or e-transfer email indicating completion of payment)
- ♦ DEC in the subject line of email
- ♦ Email all attachments in one email to: [email protected]
Invoices must be emailed to the [email protected] email address, please ensure all attachments are in one email.
Once received, we will print and add to our payables for processing, if there is a missing document, we will inform you by email. If we contact you regarding missing documents, your 7-15 business days processing time starts again from the time all correct documents are received.
To avoid delays, below are all the requirements for invoices to be processed:
- ♦ Date
- ♦ Each DEC Number must have a separate invoice
- ♦ Child/Client’s name
- ♦ Invoice Number
- ♦ Date of service(s) or attendance record
- ♦ Dental must have the parent/guardian’s signature on dental form
- ♦ Educational invoices must have attendance record(s)
- ♦ Tutoring invoices must have attendance record(s)
- ♦ Counselling services must have attendance record(s)
We only pay for services rendered, this means we do not pay for “no shows” or any missed appointments, this is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
An FNHC SARF staff member will contact you regarding your rent approval and inquire if you have any of the required documents as well as ask some questions.
In addition to this, we contact your rental company or landlord directly to request information.
To expedite the process, send any documents pertaining to your rental to the [email protected] email address along with your DEC number in the subject line, please ensure all attachments are in one email.
Rental approvals require the following to get processed:
- ♦ Copy of full signed lease agreement by both parties
- ♦ Statement on any outstanding amounts
- ♦ Full contact information of the rental company or landlord, email, phone number and full address
- ♦ Void cheque for rental company or landlord
Rent reimbursement: Must have a signed lease agreement, in addition to the above requirements.
We are unable to ensure your rent will be paid by the 1st of the month. If you can pay your rent and get a reimbursement, we suggest doing this to avoid delays.
Please refer to the reimbursement portion of this guide to learn more about the reimbursement process.
Questions?
Please email [email protected].