Personal Credits - Kivalliq Hall

What are Personal Credits

 

The Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (“IRSSA”) stipulates that once all Common Experience Payments have been made, if more than $40 million remains in the trust, the funds are to be made available to eligible CEP Recipients who apply in the form of personal credits (“not cash”) of up to $3,000 each, to be used for educational purposes.

 

  • CEP recipients may choose to use the credits for themselves or to transfer a portion or all their Personal Credits to certain family members to use for personal or group education services;

  • Terms and conditions for Personal Credits have been developed by Canada and Inuit Representatives and Canada and the Assembly of First Nations to determine which programs and services and which educational institutions are eligible;

  • Once the Personal Credits have been distributed, any amount remaining in the trust is to be paid to the Inuvialuit Education Foundation and the National Indian Brotherhood Trust Fund to be used for educational programs.

 

Where can I use Personal Credits and what can they be used for?

 

Personal Credits for Kivalliq Hall CEP recipients may be used for either personal or group education services provided by Education Entities or Group Educational Services jointly approved by the Inuit Representatives and Canada, as well as the Assembly of First Nations and Canada.

 

Inuit Kivalliq Hall CEP Recipients may choose to pool their Personal Credits with other CEP Recipients and Transferees to participate in Group Educational Services including those aimed at the preservation, reclamation, development, or understanding of Inuit identities, histories, cultures, or languages. If you wish to participate in group Inuit cultural and language programs and if you want the assistance of your Inuit Land Claim Organization, please contact the Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

 

First Nations, Métis and all other non-Inuk CEP Recipients may choose to pool their Personal Credits with other CEP Recipients and Transferees to develop and to participate in specific education programs. These Group Services would be aimed at the preservation, reclamation, development or understanding of native identities, histories, cultures or languages.

 

Educational programs or services include, but are not limited to, those provided by universities, colleges, trade or training schools, or which relate to literacy or trades, as well as programs or services which relate to the preservation, reclamation, development or understanding of native history, cultures, or languages. Personal Credits may also be used for childcare.

 

For a list of approved educational entities and groups at which Personal Credits can be redeemed, please click here or call the toll free Personal Credits Information Line at 1-866-879-4913 or 1-877-627-7027 (TTY). You may also contact the Personal Credits Administrator by email at info@kivalliqhallclaims.ca.

 

Terms and Conditions developed by Canada and the Inuit Representatives and the Assembly of First Nations and by Canada set out eligible educational services and eligible expenses.

 

Why is the use of Personal Credits limited?

 

The use of Personal Credits is defined in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Canada, legal counsel for former students, legal counsel for the Churches, the Assembly of First Nations and representatives from other Aboriginal organizations negotiated the Settlement Agreement.

 

How can I use my Personal Credits?

 

There are several options for using Personal Credits. You can only choose one of them.

 

Option 1: Use all your Personal Credits yourself.

 

Option 2: Use some of your Personal Credits for yourself and give some to one family member. You must keep a minimum of $1,000 for yourself and the combined total for yourself and your family member must not be greater than $3,000.

 

Option 3: Give all your Personal Credits to one family member.

 

Option 4: Give all your Personal Credits to two family members. You must give a minimum of $1,000 to one of the family members and the combined total for both family members must not be greater than $3,000.

 

You and your family member(s) may use your Personal Credits for either individual or group educational services.

 

Family members can be a spouse, child, grandchild or sibling, as defined in the Terms and Conditions.

 

Who is eligible to receive Personal Credits?

 

The current Personal Credits process is available to all CEP Recipients who received a CEP Payment in relation to Kivalliq Hall. The Personal Credits process for any other CEP Recipient ended on June 8, 2015.

 

Can I use my Personal Credits to pay an existing education loan?

 

No. Personal Credits are credits that have no cash value and are only redeemable for either personal or group educational services provided by approved educational entities and groups.

 

For a list of approved educational entities and groups at which Personal Credits can be redeemed, please click here or call the toll free Personal Credits Information Line at 1-866-879-4913 or 1-877-627-7027 (TTY). You may also contact the Personal Credits Administrator by email at info@kivalliqhallclaims.ca.

 

Can I use my Personal Credits to pay for a course I have already taken?

 

No. Personal Credits must be redeemed for future learning opportunities.

 

Can I use my Personal Credits as a contribution to a Registered Education Savings Plan?

 

No. Personal Credits are credits that have no cash value and are only redeemable for either personal or group educational services provided by approved educational entities and groups.

 

How much are Personal Credits?

 

Personal Credits are credits that have no cash value and are only redeemable for either personal or group educational services provided by approved educational entities and groups. Personal Credits are available, upon application, to Common Experience Payment Kivalliq Hall recipients and have a maximum individual redemption value of up to $3,000.

 

For a list of approved educational entities and groups at which Personal Credits can be redeemed, please click here or call the toll free Personal Credits Information Line at 1-866-879-4913 or 1-877-627-7027 (TTY). You may also contact the Personal Credits Administrator by email at info@kivalliqhallclaims.ca.

 

May I receive cash instead of Personal Credits?

 

No. Personal Credits are non-cash credits. Cheques will be issued directly to the educational entity or group that provides the personal or group educational service.

 

Am I obligated to use my Personal Credits?

 

No. You can choose not to use your Personal Credits. If this is your choice, you do not have to do anything. Do not fill out the “Personal Credits Application Form”. The value of the Personal Credits you are entitled to will remain in the Trust Fund that was established to pay Common Experience Payments and Personal Credits. As stated in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the funds remaining in the Trust Fund once Personal Credits have been distributed will be transferred to the Inuvialuit Education Foundation and the National Indian Brotherhood Trust Fund for educational programs.

 

What happens to unused Personal Credits?

 

As stated in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the funds remaining in the Trust Fund once Personal Credits have been distributed will be transferred to the Inuvialuit Education Foundation and the National Indian Brotherhood Trust Fund for educational programs.

 

If my expenses are fully addressed by other funding, like Post-Secondary Education Funding, how can I benefit from Personal Credits?

 

Personal Credits can be used for a variety of educational purposes. While Personal Credits can be used for courses at universities, colleges or trades/ training schools, they can also be used for programs and workshops provided by community-based groups or cultural centres and learning activities related to the preservation, reclamation, development or understanding of “native/Inuit” history, cultures or languages.  Personal Credits can be used for “in-person” or on-line learning. Personal Credits can be used for personal or group educational services. Personal Credits may also be used for childcare.

 

While Common Experience Payment recipients can use the full amount of their Personal Credits for themselves, they can also give part or all of their Personal Credits to certain family members such as a spouse, child, grandchild or sibling, as defined in the Terms and Conditions.

 

Terms and Conditions developed by Canada and Inuit Representatives and by Canada and the Assembly of First Nations set out eligible educational services and eligible expenses.

 

The Common Experience Payment recipient is deceased. Can someone else use his/her Personal Credits?

 

Yes. A “Personal Credits Application Form” may be submitted by a personal representative of the estate of a Kivalliq Hall Common Experience Payment recipient who is deceased. Personal representatives include, if a person is deceased, an executor, administrator, estate trustee, trustee or liquidator of the deceased.

 

You must provide proof of your legal authority to act as a personal representative of the Kivalliq Hall Common Experience Payment recipient which includes a certified true copy of: authority to act, court order, probated will, other documentation or an un-probated will that is valid in accordance with provincial/territorial law. Requirements for a valid will varies between each province/territory

 

For more information, please call the Personal Credits Information Line at toll free at 1-866-879-4913 or 1-877-627-7027 (TTY). You may also contact the Personal Credits Administrator by email at info@kivalliqhallclaims.ca.

 

How do I redeem my Personal Credits? What is the Personal Credits Process?

 

You must complete the “Personal Credits Application Form” that consists of the three steps below:

 

Step 1 – CEP Recipient Personal Information

Step 2 – Tell us how you wish to use your Personal Credits

Step 3 – Education Entity or Group Educational Service Information

 

Completed “Personal Credits Application Forms” must be submitted to the Personal Credits Administrator postmarked no later than 11:59 pm March 31, 2021.

 

For more help, please call the Personal Credits Information Line at toll free at 1-866-879-4913 or 1-877-627-7027 (TTY). You may also contact the Personal Credits Administrator by email at info@kivalliqhallclaims.ca.

 

When is the deadline to apply for Personal Credits?

 

Kivalliq Hall CEP Recipients must complete and submit their “Personal Credits Application Form” to the Personal Credits Administrator postmarked no later than 11: 59 pm March 31, 2021.

 

It is the responsibility of the Kivalliq Hall Common Experience Payment Recipient to ensure that the deadline is met.

 

Who will administer the Personal Credits process?

 

Epiq Class Action Services Inc, formerly Crawford Class Action Services, has been appointed by the courts as the Agent of the Trustee (Canada) to administer the Kivalliq Hall Personal Credits process.

 

In section G of the “Personal Credits Application Form” there is a statement: “I agree to the sharing of my personal information, including but not limited to my contact information, with the Government of Canada and necessary third parties authorized by the Court, only for the purposes of processing my request to use Personal Credits, including for the development of Group Education programs and services (please check box)     Yes    No”

 

It is your choice whether you wish to share your personal information. Choosing not to share your personal information will not affect your entitlement to Personal Credits. Indicating that you are willing to share personal information may assist in organizing group educational activities.

 

The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the information it collects to administer programs and adheres to the requirements of both the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

 

Is the “Personal Credits Application Form” available in Aboriginal languages?

 

Information about Kivalliq Hall Personal Credits and all forms are currently available in English, French and Inuktitut. In addition, general information about Personal Credits and instructions on how to complete the “Personal Credits Application Form” are available in other languages upon request. To request a copy of this material, call the Personal Credits Information Line toll free at 1-866-879-4913 or (TTY)1-877-627-7027. You may also contact the Personal Credits Administrator by  by email at info@kivalliqhallclaims.ca.

 

Inuit Common Experience Payment recipients can contact Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated for help to complete their “Personal Credits Application Form”.

 

Will documentation be required in order to complete the transfer of Personal Credits to a family member?

 

Possibly. If a Common Experience Payment Recipient wishes to give some or all of his/her Personal Credits to a family member, he/she should be prepared to produce supporting documents such as, but not limited to, a birth certificate, marriage certificate, adoption or guardianship orders, or an affidavit which clearly outlines the family relationship, where requested.

 

Can I change my mind as to who will use my Personal Credits?

 

Prior to the approval of the “Personal Credits Application Form” by the Personal Credits Administrator, you may change who you have chosen to give your Personal Credits to ONLY in the event of death or disability of the family member. In this case, the Personal Credits may be transferred back to the Common Experience Payment Recipient. Disability means severe, sustained mental or physical incapacity, as evidenced by a medical certificate signed by a licensed physician.

 

Can I change the educational program or service?

 

You can change where you or your family member(s) are choosing to use the Personal Credits if the course, program or group educational service is no longer available. Only the Kivalliq Hall Common Experience Payment recipient may request a change as to where the Personal Credits will be used. This change may only be requested prior to the issuance of payment to the Education Entity or Group Education Service.

 

What happens if a “Personal Credits Application Form” is incomplete?

 

If a “Personal Credits Application Form” is considered incomplete, the Personal Credits Administrator will attempt to contact the Common Experience Payment Recipient by phone, email and/or by mail, as per the CEP Recipient’s preference indicated in their “Personal Credits Application Form”, to inform the CEP Recipient that additional information is required before the Application Form can be processed. If additional information cannot be obtained, the application will be closed.

 

My “Personal Credits Application Form” was not approved. Can I appeal?

 

Yes, you have the right to one appeal. The Common Experience Payment Recipient or his/her personal representative may request an appeal of a decision of the Personal Credits Administrator on any of the following grounds:

 

  • a. the family member to whom the Personal Credits is to be transferred be recognized as a family member;
  •  
  • b. a proposed educational entity or group be recognized as an eligible educational entity or group;
  •  
  • c. a proposed program or service be recognized as an eligible education program or service;

 

Please contact the Personal Credits Information Line at toll free at 1-866-879-4913 or 1-877-627-7027 (TTY) or by email at info@kivalliqhallclaims.ca to request an Appeal Form be sent to you.

 

What can I do if I disagree with a decision to disallow a family member?

 

If you disagree with a decision to disallow a family member, you can appeal the decision to the Advisory Committee. A Kivalliq Hall Common Experience Payment Recipient can make only one appeal regarding their “Personal Credits Application Form”. All appeals are made to the Advisory Committee. The decision of the Advisory Committee is final.

 

Please contact the Personal Credits Information Line at toll free at 1-866-879-4913 or 1-877-627-7027 (TTY) or by email at info@kivalliqhallclaims.ca to request an Appeal Form be sent to you.

 

What can I do if I disagree with a decision to disallow an educational entity or group educational service?

 

If you disagree with a decision to disallow an educational entity or group or an educational service, you can appeal the decision to the Advisory Committee. A Kivalliq Hall Common Experience Payment Recipient can make only one appeal regarding their “Personal Credits Application Form”. All appeals are made to the Advisory Committee. The decision of the Advisory Committee is final.

 

Please contact the Personal Credits Information Line at toll free at 1-866-879-4913 or 1-877-627-7027 (TTY) or by email at info@kivalliqhallclaims.ca to request an Appeal Form be sent to you.

 

What is the role of the Advisory Committees?

 

The Personal Credits for Inuit Common Experience Payment Recipients Advisory Committee is comprised of three members: one appointed by the Inuit Representatives, one appointed by Canada, and one appointed by the court. The mandate of the Committee is to: provide general administrative advice and direction; review and provide decisions on educational entities and groups, programs and group educational services; and to hear and make decisions on Personal Credits appeals.

 

What are "approved educational entities"?

 

Terms and Conditions for the administration of Personal Credits have been developed by Canada and Inuit Representatives and by Canada and the Assembly of First Nations. The Terms and Conditions describe eligible educational entities and groups and eligible educational services. The Terms and Conditions were approved by the court.

 

Educational programs or services include, but are not limited to, those provided by universities, colleges, trade or training schools, or which relate to literacy or trades, as well as programs or services which relate to the preservation, reclamation, development or understanding of native history, cultures, or languages. Personal Credits may also be used for childcare. Click here for a list of approved educational entities and groups or you may call the Personal Credits Information Line toll free 1-866-879-4913 or 1-877-627-7027 (TTY). You may also contact the Personal Credits Administrator by email at info@kivalliqhallclaims.ca.

 

Who decided which educational entities and group services are eligible?

 

Terms and Conditions for Personal Credits have been developed by Canada and the Inuit Representatives and by Canada and the Assembly of First Nations to determine which educational services and which educational entities and groups are eligible to redeem Personal Credits.

 

How do I know if my education entity or group educational service is eligible?

 

For a list of approved educational entities and groups, click here or you may call the Personal Credits Information Line toll free at 1-866-879-4913 or 1-877-627-7027 (TTY). You may also contact the Personal Credits Administrator by email at info@kivalliqhallclaims.ca.

 

What if my education entity or group is not on the approved list?

 

You may submit a “Personal Credits Application Form” identifying an educational entity and/or group that is not on the approved list. An Advisory Committee will review the educational entity or group you listed and determine if it meets the criteria set out in the Terms and Conditions. You will receive the Advisory Committee decision by mail or by email as per your preference indicated in your “Personal Credits Application Form”. The decision of the Advisory Committee is final.

 

How is an educational entity or group added to the list of approved educational entities and group educational services?

 

If you would like your Personal Credits to be redeemed at an educational entity or group that does not appear on the approved list of educational entities and groups, identify your choice on your “Personal Credits Application Form”. An Advisory Committee will review the educational entity or group you identified and determine if it meets the criteria set out in the Terms and Conditions. You will receive the Advisory Committee decision by mail or by email as per your preference indicated in your “Personal Credits Application Form”. The decision of the Advisory Committee is final.

 

What information must be provided by the educational entity or group when submitting the “Personal Credits Application Form”?

 

The educational entity or group will be required to:

  • Complete Section E of the “Personal Credits Application Form” in its entirety
  • Provide Proof of Participant’s registration in the course
  • Provide an Invoice on the Education Entity or Group Educational Service’s letterhead which should include:
    • Payee information
    • Payee mailing address
    • Business Registration Number of Education Entity/Group Educational Service if applicable
    • GST/QST/HST Number of Education Entity/Group Educational Service if applicable
    • Student’s name
    • Total fee payable
  • It is the responsibility of the CEP Recipient or Transferee (the family member who is using the Personal Credits) to ensure that the Education Entity or Group Education Service fills out Section E of the form completely and provides all the necessary supporting documentation.
  • It is also the responsibility of the CEP Recipient or Transferee to submit the “Personal Credits Application Form” and supporting documentation to the Personal Credits Administrator prior to the Personal Credits deadline of postmarked 11:59 pm March 31, 2021.

 

How are educational entities and groups being made aware of Personal Credits?

 

All eligible educational entities and groups have received or will receive, as they are added to the list of approved educational entities and groups, an Information Notice on Personal Credits. Entities may contact the Personal Credits Information Line toll free at 1-866-879-4913 or 1-877-627-7027 (TTY) for more information. They may also contact the Personal Credits Administrator by email at info@kivalliqhallclaims.ca.

 

How do educational entities and groups know what expenses are covered?

 

A list of eligible expenses can be found in the court-approved Terms and Conditions on the Official Court website at www.residentialschoolssettlement.ca or by calling the Personal Credits Information Line toll free at 1-866-879-4913 or 1-877-627-7027 (TTY) for more information. They may also contact the Personal Credits Administrator by email at info@kivalliqhallclaims.ca.

 

For additional help:

 

Inuit Common Experience Payment recipients can contact Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.  or the Personal Credits Administrator.

 

First Nations, Métis and all other non-Inuit Common Experience Payment recipients and educational entities and groups can also contact the Personal Credits Administrator at:

 

By Phone: 1-866-879-4913 or 1-877-627-7027 (TTY)

By Mail:     Personal Credits Administrator

                   Suite 3 - 505, 133 Weber St N

                   Waterloo, ON N2J 3G9

By Fax:      1-888-842-1332

By Email:   info@kivalliqhallclaims.ca

 

 

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