Closed
Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nations and Inuit: Mental health counselling benefits
Mental health counselling coverage for eligible Indigenous clients
Last Update: May 7, 2026
Funding available
$ 22
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Overview
The program provides coverage for professional mental health counselling for eligible First Nations and Inuit clients in Canada, up to 22 hours per calendar year. It supports assessment, individual, couple, and group counselling, with additional hours possible on an exception basis.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 22 $
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Health care and social assistance
Location
- Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Legal structures
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Professional mental health counselling for eligible clients
- Initial counselling assessment and treatment planning
- Individual counselling sessions
- Couples or group counselling sessions
- Telehealth counselling in eligible cases
Documents Needed
- Completed Mental Health Counselling Prior Approval and Claim Form
- Client identification number
- Supporting proof of other coverage, if applicable
- Receipts for client reimbursement requests
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Registered First Nations clients
- Recognized Inuit clients
- Children under 2 years old with an NIHB-eligible parent
Who is not eligible
- People who are not residents of Canada
- Clients who are not eligible under NIHB
- Services provided by non-eligible providers
- Claims for services funded by another program or plan
Eligible expenses
- Professional mental health counselling sessions
- Initial assessment sessions
- Individual, couple, and group counselling
- Reimbursement for eligible services paid out of pocket
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Missed, no-show, or cancelled appointments
- Administrative time, travel time, waiting time, and after-hours on-call availability
- Services that are not mental health counselling, including general social work, life coaching, and educational or vocational counselling
- Workshops, seminars, camps, retreats, and training sessions
- Services already paid by another program or plan
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- Prior approval requests are assessed within 5 business days, 80% of the time, under normal circumstances.
- The provider is notified of the decision through their selected communication preference.
- Claims are reviewed for eligibility and supporting records before payment.
- Payments may be recovered if claims are not properly supported or are ineligible.
- Reimbursement requests must be submitted within 1 year of the service date.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nations and Inuit: Mental health counselling benefits Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nations and Inuit: Mental health counselling benefits. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nations and Inuit: Mental health counselling benefits?
The program provides coverage for professional mental health counselling for eligible First Nations and Inuit clients in Canada, up to 22 hours per calendar year. It supports assessment, individual, couple, and group counselling, with additional hours possible on an exception basis.
How much funding can be received?
Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nations and Inuit: Mental health counselling benefits Funds up to $22 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nations and Inuit: Mental health counselling benefits program?
To be eligible for the Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nations and Inuit: Mental health counselling benefits program, you must:
Canadian resident
NIHB-eligible client
Eligible provider required
What expenses are eligible under Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nations and Inuit: Mental health counselling benefits?
Professional mental health counselling for eligible clients
Initial counselling assessment and treatment planning
Individual counselling sessions
Couples or group counselling sessions
Telehealth counselling in eligible cases
Who can I contact for more information about the Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nations and Inuit: Mental health counselling benefits?
You can contact Government of Canada by email at nihb-atlfnihb@sac-isc.gc.ca or by phone at 1-877-483-1575.
Where is the Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nations and Inuit: Mental health counselling benefits available?
The Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nations and Inuit: Mental health counselling benefits program is available the province of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon.
Is the Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nations and Inuit: Mental health counselling benefits a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nations and Inuit: Mental health counselling benefits is a Other Support