What to have ready before you apply for Hope Air travel support
Before you begin
Applying is easier when you have the information you need before you start. You must have a confirmed specialist medical appointment before submitting a travel request, and the appointment must be covered by your provincial health plan.
Please gather the following information before starting your application:
☐ Your confirmed medical appointment details
Date and time of your appointment
Type of appointment: assessment/diagnosis, procedure or treatment, or follow-up visit
Name and location of the hospital, clinic or medical facility
Expected length of your appointment
Appointment confirmation letter, if you have one
You can still submit your application without an appointment confirmation letter. Hope Air will need to confirm your appointment before travel can be booked.
☐ Your doctors' or medical team's contact information
Name and phone number of the doctor who referred you
Name and phone number of the specialist you are seeing
If you do not know your specialist's name, provide the clinic or department and coordinator contact information, if available.
IMPORTANT: Names must match travel identification
The patient and escort names entered in the application must be exactly as shown on the identification used for travel because these details are shared with the airline and hotel provider.
Travellers ages 18 and older must bring valid government-issued photo ID for the flight. Bring the same identification for hotel check-in. Identification requirements can be found here: https://travel.gc.ca/air/identification-requirements. For travellers under 18, a birth certificate can be used if they don’t have a government-issued photo ID.
☐ Patient information
Full legal first and last name, exactly as shown on travel identification
Date of birth
Home address and postal code
Email address and phone number
Preferred language
☐ Escort information
If an escort is medically required, Hope Air requires confirmation from the patient’s doctor or specialist. Minors travelling with Hope Air require an adult escort.
Escort's full legal name, exactly as shown on travel identification
Date of birth
Email address and phone number
Relationship to the patient
Province of residence
Whether the escort lives in the same household as the patient
☐ Household income information
Number of adults and children living in the patient's household
Total gross household income from the previous calendar year, before taxes
Income from all household members and all sources, including employment, government benefits, disability or income assistance, pensions, investments, insurance income, child benefits/support and other income
Your CRA Notice of Assessment or tax return can help you confirm the amount. Hope Air may request supporting income documentation if we have questions.
☐ Circumstances affecting your financial need
Be prepared to tell Hope Air if there has been a recent loss or change in income, significant or ongoing medical expenses, frequent long-distance medical travel, or responsibility for supporting several dependents. You will also be asked whether another government, charitable or medical travel program is providing assistance for the same trip.
☐ Your travel dates and preferences
City or airport you would like to depart from
Destination city or airport
Preferred departure date and time
Allow enough time for airport check-in and travel from the arrival airport to your medical appointment.
Preferred return date and time
Allow enough time after your appointment for travel to the airport and airline check-in.
☐ Accessibility, mobility or medical needs during travel
Tell Hope Air about anything that could affect your flight, including a wheelchair or other mobility aid, airport wheelchair assistance, a service animal, visual or hearing impairment, oxygen, or physical assistance requirements.
After your flight is booked: Hope Air will notify the airline of special needs identified in your application. You may still need to contact the airline directly to complete airline forms or arrangements, such as an extra-seat request. Any fees for checked luggage or advance seat selection are the traveller’s responsibility.
☐ Other travel support you may need
Depending on your province and program, you may be able to request overnight accommodation or other travel assistance. If requesting accommodation, be prepared to provide your required check-in and check-out dates and the number of adults, children or infants staying. Hotels require a valid government-issued photo ID and a credit card at check-in for a security deposit for incidentals or damages.
☐ Additional documents – only if they apply to you
Certain programs or circumstances require additional information. Include these documents with your application if they are relevant and available. Required documents can also be emailed to info@hopeair.ca after you apply. Include your Travel Request ID number in the email.
A doctor's note confirming that an escort is medically necessary
A hospital fit-to-fly/clearance letter if returning home following certain hospital admissions
Northern Ontario Northern Health Travel Grant documentation for eligible Ontario residents
Newfoundland & Labrador MCP information and, for some out-of-province travel, a specialist referral letter
Health PEI authorization for out-of-province bridge or ferry requests
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT
Review your application carefully and make sure the contact, medical appointment, income and travel information is complete and accurate. Incomplete information can delay your request.
Apply as soon as your specialist appointment is confirmed. Hope Air requires at least two full business days before the requested travel date to process a travel request, and more notice is strongly encouraged. A new travel request is required for each trip, including for patients who have travelled with Hope Air before.
AFTER YOU APPLY
You will receive an email confirming that Hope Air has received your application.
Hope Air will review your eligibility. Hope Air will email you within 3 business days; note that Hope Air prioritizes travel requests based on date of travel.
Keep your Travel Request ID number – you will need it if you contact Hope Air or send additional information.
Hope Air will verify your medical appointment before making travel arrangements. Watch your email for updates and travel confirmations.
NEED HELP?
Hope Air's Client Care team can assist you by telephone at 1-877-346-HOPE (4673)
Applications completed over the phone follow the same eligibility and review process as online applications.
Email: info@hopeair.ca | Website: hopeair.ca