Compensation

If you think you got Hep C from a blood transfusion you might qualify for compensation depending on when you were first infected. You should know that very few injection drug users have ever gotten compensation and the application is long. You might need to get some help to fill it out. Please note that the deadline for submitting a claim to the first two settlements below is June 30, 2010 or within three years of learning of your Hep C infection (whichever is later).

Here are the websites for the different compensation packages where you can find more information:

www.pre86post90settlement.ca/index.htm - The Pre-1986/Post-1990 Hepatitis C Settlement Agreement is for people who got Hep C from the blood supply before January 1, 1986 or between July 2, 1990 and September 28, 1998.

www.hepc8690.com - The Hepatitis C (HCV) January 1, 1986–July 1, 1990 Class Actions Settlement is for people who got Hep C between January 1, 1986 and July 1, 1990.

www.kpmg.ca/en/ms/hepatitisc/index.html - This is the Canadian Red Cross Settlement for people who got Hep C from the blood supply before January 1, 1986 or between July 2, 1990 and September 28, 1998. This means new claims will not be accepted.

Provincial Hepatitis Assistance Plans

Ontario, BC, Manitoba, Alberta and Québec set up provincial programs that give money to people who got Hep C from the blood supply. Québec's program ended in 2010.

Ontario Hepatitis C Assistance Plan (OHCAP)

If you believe you got hepatitis C through the blood supply in Ontario before January 1, 1986 or between July 2, 1990 and September 28, 1998, or you were infected by a spouse, partner, or mother who got the virus from the blood supply during this time, you may be able to get compensation money from the Ontario government. The compensation program is called the Ontario Hepatitis C Assistance Plan (OHCAP). To apply for compensation, you must complete the Applicant Form and send it to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, OHCAP at: P.O. Box 40009, Station BRM-B, Toronto, Ontario, M7Y 5J9.  Your doctor must also complete and submit a Physician Form.

If your application is denied, you have the right to file an appeal to the Review Committee.  You must file an appeal within 45 days from the time you receive the ineligible letter from the Ministry.  Instruction on how to file an appeal will be sent with the ineligible letter.

For more information about OHCAP or to receive an application form you can call the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care toll-free at 1-877-222-4977 or TTY at 1-800-387-5559. 

Manitoba Hepatitis C Compassionate Assistance Program (MHCAP) 

If you believe you got hepatitis C through the Canadian blood supply in Manitoba before January 1, 1986 or between July 1, 1990 and September 28, 1998, you may be able to get money from the Manitoba government. The program is called the Manitoba Hepatitis C Compassionate Assistance Program (MHCAP). The application is long and you may need help filling it out. If you qualify for compensation through the pre-1986/post-1990 or 1986-1990 federal compensation settlements, you cannot receive money from MHCAP. For more information call 1-866-357-0196 or visit the MHCAP website.

Alberta Pre-1986/Post-1990 Hepatitis C Settlement Agreement

If you think you got hepatitis C from the blood supply in Alberta, you might be able to get compensation depending on when you were first infected. You do not need to apply for compensation from the Alberta Settlement but you have to have already gotten money from the federal class action settlement.

The Alberta Pre-1986/Post-1990 Hepatitis C Settlement Agreement is for people who were:

• infected with hepatitis C through the blood supply in Alberta before January 1, 1986 or between July 2, 1990 and September 28, 1998; AND
• approved for compensation from the federal class action settlement.

For more information about the Alberta Settlement, call 1-866-334-3361 or visit the website at www.albertapre86post90.ca/english/index_eng.html.

Hepatitis C Compensation Exemption in British Columbia   

 If you are a BC resident who got money from the Canadian government because you were infected with Hep C through the Canadian blood supply before January 1, 1986 or after July 1, 1990, your compensation payment may or may not affect your eligibility for Income Assistance.  In 2007, the Supreme Court of British Columbia approved a final settlement agreement that outlines how your compensation payment from the Canadian government may or may not affect your current income.  If you receive Income Assistance, this means:

• A payment received for pain and suffering will not affect your eligibility for income, disability and hardship assistance
•  A payment received for income replacement may affect your eligibility for income, disability and hardship assistance

If you would like more information about Hep C Compensation Exemption in BC, you can call The Ministry of Housing and Social Development Info Line at: 1-866-866-0800.

Quebec Financial Assistance for Persons Infected with the Hepatitis C Virus  

Québec's financial assistance program for people infected with hepatitis C ended in 2010.

Under this program, Québec residents infected with the hepatitis C virus as a result of a blood transfusion or blood products received in Québec before January 1, 1986 or between July 2, 1990 and September 28, 1998, were eligible to receive financial compensation from the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec .

Revised 2012.