ID and Benefits Access Hubs

At an ID and Benefits Access Hub, you can:

1. Get or replace identification such as a Social Insurance Number (SIN), birth certificate (free for eligible individuals with low income), and health card. Services will also be available to obtain or renew an Ontario Photo ID Card and Driver's Licence (fees may apply). (see what to bring with you)

2. Learn about the benefits and programs you may be eligible for.

3.  Access government benefits and income supports, including:

• Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
• Old Age Security (OAS)
• Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)
• Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
• Ontario Works (OW)
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Other federal and provincial benefits and programs

The CDCP helps make dental care more affordable for eligible residents. Residents can get information about the program and receive help applying for or renewing coverage. To qualify, residents must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes, have filed a tax return, have an adjusted family net income below $90,000, and not have access to private dental insurance.

The CDP is a monthly payment that provides financial support to eligible working-age adults with disabilities. Residents can get information about the benefit and receive help determining eligibility and applying. To qualify, individuals must generally be between 18 and 64 years of age, be approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), be a resident of Canada for income tax purposes, and have filed an income tax return.

4. Receive free tax filing assistance (for eligible individuals with no income or modest income and simple tax situations). Appointments are required. See event details for booking information. Learn more about free tax filing, who is eligible to file their taxes for free at a CVITP tax clinic, and about which documents to bring with you.

5. Connect with community supports and services, including:

• Housing and homelessness supports
• Food and affordability supports
• Employment and newcomer services
• Durham Region Transit services and programs
• Recreation programs and subsidies
• Mental health and wellness resources
• Energy efficiency programs (select locations)

6. Get help with applications, forms, and service navigation.

7. Access food hampers (while supplies last).

Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington: Identification (ID) clinics for birth certificate applications are held from 8:30 to 11 a.m. on the last Monday of each month at John Howard Society (JHS) offices in Durham Region. Please bring a completed Birth Certificate application and proof of income to the ID clinic for help with getting a birth certificate.

Ajax and Pickering: Community Development Council Durham (CDCD) holds identification clinics every Thursday for Ajax/Pickering residents who have low income. To book an appointment for ID replacement, call 905-686-2661, ext. 147, or email outreachservices@cdcd.org.

Uxbridge, Scugog and Brock: North House offers year-round ID replacement for birth certificates and Ontario Photo Cards. For assistance with ID replacement, please contact a service navigator at 289-640-1929 or 705-432-8654, ext. 103.

Get or replace identification: Social Insurance Numbers

Service Canada will be onsite to issue Social Insurance Numbers (SIN). Please bring:

• Primary ID (e.g., Birth Certificate, Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, etc.); and
• Any other original forms of federal or provincial ID you may have (e.g., passport, driver’s license).
• Visit Social Insurance Number – Apply - Canada.ca to learn more about what to bring to get your SIN.

If you are a newcomer to Canada and want to apply for a Social Insurance Number:

Note: All documents submitted with your SIN application must be in English or French. If the document is not in English or French, it must be translated. You must submit:

• the original document in the original language, and
• the translated version of the document, and
  • an attestation from the person who completed the translation if they are Canadian certified translator, or
  • an affidavit from the person who completed the translation if they are a non-certified translator

Learn about which documents you need to apply for a SIN as a newcomer to Canada, based on your personal situation: Social Insurance Number – Apply, update or obtain a SIN confirmation - Canada.ca

Get or replace identification: Birth Certificates

Help will be onsite to apply for Birth Certificates. 

• You must know information about the birth registration (e.g., names, city of birth, and other birth information).
• Please bring proof of income (i.e. bank records, pay stub, etc.) with you to the Hub.
• You will also need the name and contact information of a person who consents to act as a guarantor to verify your identity and information. Learn who can be a guarantor here: Choosing a guarantor for a birth certificate | ontario.ca

Get or replace identification: Ontario Health Card, Driver's Licence and Ontario Photo Card

ServiceOntario will also be present to help with services for the Ontario Health Card, Ontario Driver’s Licence, and Ontario Photo Card and other services provided by the Government of Ontario. For further information, please visit: ontario.ca/page/serviceontario.

Free tax filing

See event details below for where tax filing will be offered and for how to register for tax filing at an event. You will be advised which documents to bring with you. 

Learn more about free tax filing, who is eligible to file their taxes for free at a CVITP tax clinic, and about which documents to bring with you.

Sign up for the new Canadian Dental Care Plan

Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) – The new CDCP will help pay a portion of the cost for a wide range of oral health care services. Eligible seniors, children under 18, and adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate who have received a letter in the mail from the government of Canada can get help at a hub to sign-up for this benefit. Bring your Social Insurance Number and the letter to the hub.