Life on ODSP - a compelling video

View the compelling video of Darren Nesbit (Sarnia) as he tells of his struggle to live on limited groceries after paying his rent.This presentation occurred at an event convened in Hamilton on Friday, December 4, 2009 to mark the first anniversary of the Ontario Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Ligne de Conseils Juridiques Sommaires

Ligne de Conseils Juridiques Sommaires –
French Legal Advice Line
1 855 650-9716

May 1, 2011 marks the official opening of the French Legal Advice Line for Southwestern Ontario which is administered by the Windsor-Essex Bilingual Legal Clinic. This pilot project, funded by Legal Aid Ontario, was created to promote and enhance access to justice and French Language Services and is not intended to replace existing services. This is the fourth line of its kind in the province.

A Community Legal Worker will respond to calls via a toll free number and will offer summary legal advice to low income residents of Southwestern Ontario under the supervision of clinic lawyers. The goal is to reach underserviced areas in the counties of Essex, Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, Brant, Huron, Perth, Bruce and Grey.

Callers will be able to discuss their rights and responsibilities. Referrals to appropriate agencies will also be provided.

Areas of law include : Social Assistance, Ontario Disability Support Program, Ontario Works, Canada Pension Plan, Employment rights, Immigration, Housing (Tenants Rights) and Human Rights. Consultations are private and confidential.

The three other Legal Advice lines already established are:

1) Le Centre communautaire de Vanier for Eastern Ontario ;

2) La Clinique juridique communautaire de Sudbury for Northern Ontario and certain central regions including Barrie, Parry Sound, regions of Muskoka and Kawartha Lakes;

3) Le Centre francophone de Toronto for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

For more information on our service, please call 1 855 650-9716. We look forward to serving you in French!

Register today for CLEONet's webinar on Disability Tax Credit

Date April 13, 2011
Time 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Where online

Disability Tax Credit

The Disability Tax Credit is an essential benefit for many people with disabilities. However, people often encounter difficulties with the forms and having them completed. This webinar, for service providers, is hosted by ARCH Disability Law Centre and presented by by Brendon Pooran, from Pooranlaw. Brendon discusses the benefits that flow from receipt of the Disability Tax Credit, and some of the issues around completion of the forms.

Space is limited so register today.

Please note: Registrations for this webinar will be taken on a first come first served basis. This webinar will also be recorded and made available as a resource on the CLEONet web site.

More Info on Federal Disability Tax Credit

Where to Get the Forms
I picked up a stack of T2201 "Medical and Disability-Related Information and Forms" at Canada Revenue Agency (SW corner of Queens and Talbot - 1st floor) this morning.  (What a gorgeous day for a stroll - WOW! Can spring be here???).  Since they couldn't spare as many as I would have liked to have on hand, I also ordered some from CRA @ 1-800-959-2221, and expect to have a stack of them delivered to the Food Bank as well.

You may also print off a copy of the T2201 HERE. It's 12 pages.

Your Member of Parliament's office may also have a supply.

Will my Doctor Charge Me to Fill out the Form?
Probably - this is an uninsured service, so not covered by OHIP. The College of Physicians & Surgeons has this to say:
"Physicians should refer to the Ontario Medical Association document, Physician’s Guide to Third-Party & Other Uninsured Services, for the recommended schedule of fees. Physicians are obligated to let patients know if they will be charging more than this guide."
According to the Ontario Medical Association's Physician’s Guide to Third-Party & Other Uninsured Services :$35.21 + tax is the recommended fee.
It's best to simply call ahead and ask.

I talked to a staff member at Irene Mathyssen's office this morning, and she told me that you can include a letter with this form and ask that previous years' tax returns be reassessed back to the date of onset of disability indicated by your doctor's certificate, up to 10 years.

More NEWS on the subject:

Disability tax credits under investigation

CBC News

February 9, 2011

Company using unqualified doctors to cash in on tax relief

Toronto Star

February 9, 2011

May 3: Registered Disability Savings Plan Workshop

Date: May 3, 2011
Time: 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Where: Heritage East Resource Centre, 872 Dundas St. Rear (Ontario Street), London, ON

The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) helps Canadians with disabilities, and their families, save for the future. RDSP is available to Canadians who are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit. Those who are eligible, can open an RDSP at one of several financial organizations across the country.

This workshop will explain more about RDSP and how the Government of Canada is supporting RDSP's by matching contributions made. This is a great way to maximize any retro payments from ODSP or CPP.

This workshop is open to all, including clients and service workers. Registration is at the phone number below.

For more details visit:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=180867238624029&index=1

For more information:
Phone (519) 438-8676

Registered Disability Savings Plan information

Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD) annual newsletter

Staying in Touch is an annual newsletter from HRSDC for people receiving a Canada Pension Plan disability benefit.  Download the pdf here.

Highlights from the February 2011 issue: 

• Benefits and services for you and your family from the Government of Canada

I think it was through a past "Staying in Touch" Newsletter that I found out that my kids were both eligible for benefits as a child of a disabled person.  Currently, children under age 25, enrolled in school full-time are eligible for $218.50 per month.  If you haven't applied for this benefit, it's not too late to apply.  And yes, benefits have some limited retroactivity.

• Jane’s story

a personal account of how a long-time CPPD benefit recipient made a successful transition back to work. She is one of almost 17 000 CPPD beneficiaries who returned to the labour force over the last 10 years as more employment opportunities opened up for people with disabilities.

• Participating in paid employment

A quiz to test your knowledge of how CPPD supports return-to-work efforts.