Pregnant Visitor, will apply for Open WP for AB Health Insurance (PLS HELP)

[iamkaori]

Hi Everyone,

So here is my case.
I am on visitor status and entered Toronto last June. My status will expire on December.
I got married in Toronto last July to my 5-year bf. He is a cook (skilled job) in Alberta and so I decided to go with him there since his work is in AB. We are now waiting for our marriage certificate (I applied online in Service Ontario) and hopeful for it to arrive in the mail next week. I need the marriage certificate because I want to apply for an Open Work Permit thru online before September ends. Yesterday I found out that I was 6 weeks pregnant. I dont know what to do since I dont have health card here in AB yet. i went to my OB and I paid in cash. She told me to obtain health card first as it is so much expensive to give birth here in Canada. I looked for insurance that would cover my pre natal and delivery but no insurance will cover it.

My questions are.
1. If our marriage cert will arrive here soon and I apply for Open WP, can I apply for AB health card? I read from one of the forums here, that I need to establish my residency here, so I was thinking of applying for SIN and get a bank account as soon as I have my open work permit, before I can apply for the health card.

2. When will be the effective date of the health card? I heard from others that the coverage will be effective after 3 months? I w given by the OB a quote for an ultrasound, and it cost around $500. And no bloodworks in included yet. I was like shocked and my heart began to sink in despair.

3. If I get my open work permit, I am planning of looking for work so I can have a minimum of 3months to claim for maternity benefits. is this correct?

I hope you can provide me some enlightenment of my case. I am so sad and stressed at the same time, because of this.

Thanks a lot guys.

 

[scylla]

I'll help with one question. You need a minimum of 600 hours of work to qualify for maternity benefits. Assuming you are working full time, 600 hours is around 4 months of work.

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/types/maternity_parental.shtml#eligible

 

[iamkaori]

Thank you scylla..

I hope someone here ill be able o help me with my other queries.
Right now I am waiting for my marriage cert in the mail. I submitted the application thru online last Aug30 (marriage was july30) and I understand that I should wait for like 10weeks after the mariage before i can apply for the cert. I was just so paranoid now, i badly need it so i can apply for open work permit. I am still expecting for it to come in the mail next week because i heard from someone that even though service ontario said that i need to wait for 10 weeks before applying, some get their MCs in 2.5weeks time..

I know this isthe first step of getting a health care insurance here in AB.

 

[scylla]

Thank you scylla..

I hope someone here ill be able o help me with my other queries.
Right now I am waiting for my marriage cert in the mail. I submitted the application thru online last Aug30 (marriage was july30) and I understand that I should wait for like 10weeks after the mariage before i can apply for the cert. I was just so paranoid now, i badly need it so i can apply for open work permit. I am still expecting for it to come in the mail next week because i heard from someone that even though service ontario said that i need to wait for 10 weeks before applying, some get their MCs in 2.5weeks time.. I know this isthe first step of getting a health care insurance here in AB.

It's really impossible to say how soon your marriage certifcate will arrive. I received mine in less than three weeks. But everyone has a different experience and I know several people who had to wait the full 10 weeks. Unfortunately there's really nothing you can do but wait.