Do you recall.....

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Heather M.c.

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Apr 30, 2021, 6:25:44 AM4/30/21
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Hello all...

Does anyone remember what was written about 'undo harm" , as far as the rights of recipients
on ODSP? 

I may not have phrased that correctly.

Take care
Heather

L B

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Apr 30, 2021, 7:26:39 AM4/30/21
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Heather, do you mean undue hardship?

Louise

On Apr 30, 2021, at 6:25 AM, 'Heather M.c.' via ODSP Fireside <odspfi...@googlegroups.com> wrote:


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Heather M.c.

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Apr 30, 2021, 1:23:12 PM4/30/21
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Hi Louise...
                  Maybe that's it.

I'm an oldie when it comes to being on ODSP and I seem to remember a booklet I got when I first was approved.

It contained the recipient's rights/responsibilities and the caseworkers rights/ responsibilities.

And I thought, on the caseworkers side, they were to do no undue harm (or hardship?)

My caseworker has taken back $700 off my cheq, which has caused me to not be able to afford my food for the month , nor afford the dressings I need for my leg ulcers. 

We had a convo last Jan. Things she gave her word for, completely changed when I spoke to her yesterday. 

Any advice would be welcomed.

Heather

L B

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Apr 30, 2021, 1:44:33 PM4/30/21
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Did she take the full $700 all at once? If she did, then that is a problem. See: https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/documents/en/mcss/social/directives/odsp/income_Support/11_1.pdf

I’ll find more details shortly and send them to you.

Louise

On Apr 30, 2021, at 1:23 PM, 'Heather M.c.' via ODSP Fireside <odspfi...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



L B

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Apr 30, 2021, 1:46:02 PM4/30/21
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Heather,


Louise

On Apr 30, 2021, at 1:23 PM, 'Heather M.c.' via ODSP Fireside <odspfi...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



L B

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Apr 30, 2021, 1:48:57 PM4/30/21
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The dressings can be covered under Mandatory Special Necessities. Have you had one of those forms filled out? See: https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/income_support/odsp_medical_supplies.aspx

Alternatively, if a nurse is being sent to you by the LHIN’s, they can sometimes supply the dressings.

Louise

On Apr 30, 2021, at 1:23 PM, 'Heather M.c.' via ODSP Fireside <odspfi...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



Heather M.c.

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Apr 30, 2021, 2:55:49 PM4/30/21
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Thanks Louise. i didn't know the dressings would be covered.
Heather

Heather M.c.

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Apr 30, 2021, 2:57:48 PM4/30/21
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Yes Louise. She took the full amount $700 all at once.
No prior notice , nothing. 

I'm grateful for your help.
Heather

L B

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Apr 30, 2021, 3:00:59 PM4/30/21
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Heather,

You probably got a letter saying you had an overpayment. Write on it - “I request an internal review” and send it right back to them. Double the message up by phone as well. Tell them you can’t afford to have them take that much away and then tell them to reference Directive 11.1.

Hopefully the worker will apologize and cut you another cheque.

If she doesn’t, ask to speak to the office manager. Failing that you might have to go to the Social Benefits Tribunal, but let’s hope not.

If they fight you contact the Community Legal Aid Clinic in your area. Use this link to find it: https://www.legalaid.on.ca/legal-clinics/

Good luck.

Louise



Heather M.c.

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Apr 30, 2021, 3:36:31 PM4/30/21
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Louise

I haven't receive any correspondence of any kind from ODSP.

I can't seem to find anything in writing that would back me up. 

It's about removing a dependent adult (my son) from my file. I support him financially 100%. 
He is over 18, yet has a pretty serious mental illness.
He's housebound. Can't leave apt without severe anxieties. 

He was given said status (because of paperwork we submitted) when my file was at one location. He even had a member ID #. 
he had had that status for maybe 3 years now. 
And now that my file is at this new location, she removed his status and money.




I appreciate your help.
Heather

L B

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Apr 30, 2021, 4:38:11 PM4/30/21
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Heather,

It sounds like a rather complex situation. Your best bet, by the sounds of it, is to contact the legal clinic. 

I, too, am on ODSP. I’ve learned where to look for answers, but I’ve not learned how to override the impact of problems of this nature.

It sounds like some important details got lost in the shuffle, but I have no idea how to sort it out.

I hope the legal clinic can help you. Good luck.

Louise

On Apr 30, 2021, at 3:36 PM, 'Heather M.c.' via ODSP Fireside <odspfi...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



auntie...@gmail.com

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Apr 30, 2021, 5:42:59 PM4/30/21
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Here – call these folks.  Things suck scissors for you and your son – so call in the big guns.  Here are details on how to get their help via the phone and email during the scamdemic.
Good luck, and I’ve sent up knee-mails for you.

 

 

From: ARCH Intake [mailto:ARCHI...@lao.on.ca]
Sent: Thursday, March 4, 2021 12:44 PM
To: @@@gmail.com'
Subject: RE: ARCH intake procedure

 

Via email

 

March 4, 2021

 

 

The Summary Advice and Referral Service that ARCH provides is a telephone service. We do not respond to written requests for advice, or provide this service via email, fax, mail or courier. This service is provided directly to persons with disabilities in the province of Ontario.

 

Through our Summary Advice and Referral Service, ARCH staff lawyers provide legal information and advice on specific disability-related areas of law.

 

If you would like to contact us via telephone, ARCH can be contacted between the hours of 9:00am – 1:00pm, or 2:00pm – 5:00pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday, via telephone at:

 

Telephone – 416-482-8255 or toll-free at 1-866-482-2724 ext. 0

 

Please note that as part of ARCH’s response to the current covid19 pandemic, in an effort to reduce demands on public health resources, as well as in an effort to protect our staff and the community we serve, ARCH’s physical office is currently closed, and therefore our phones are not being answered in person. If you do wish to contact ARCH, please do so at the above phone numbers. If you leave a message at extension 0, those messages are being monitored, and your call will be returned. Unfortunately we do not have access to our TTY at this time. Please also note that any calls returned will be coming from ‘unknown’ or ‘blocked ID’.

 

If, due to your disability, you cannot contact us via telephone, please respond and indicate that your disability requires you to communicate with us in an alternate method and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

 

Yours truly,

Amanda Ward

 

Amanda Ward

Intake Coordinator and Rights Worker

 

ARCH Disability Law Centre

55 University Avenue, 15th Floor

Toronto, Ontario   M5J 2H7

Tel:   416-482-8255 or 1-866-482-2724

TTY: 416-482-1254 or 1-866-482-2728 (TTY is currently not being answered)

Fax:  416-482-2981 or 1-866-881-2723

Website: www.archdisabilitylaw.ca

 

ARCH's physical office is temporarily closed as staff are working from home.  All staff are still available by phone or email. 

Louise

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May 3, 2021, 3:01:10 AM5/3/21
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Heather,


If I’m understanding you situation correctly, I think this paragraph will help you. 

Election of Financially Independent Adult to be Treated as Dependent Adult 

A person who is determined to be financially independent “permanently” or in any month can elect to have his/her budgetary requirements determined as a financially independent adult under Ontario Works, in their own right, or remain a dependent adult included in his/her parent’s ODSP benefit unit.

Financially independent adults who elect to be treated as dependent adults are included in the benefit unit of his/her parent. In these cases, the dependent adult is included when determining financial eligibility for the parent’s benefit unit. This means that the parent’s budgetary requirements are calculated including the dependent adult and the dependent adult’s income and assets are included when calculating income support for the benefit unit.

There are other details in this directive that might help you more clearly understand what happened. I hope it helps.

Louise 


On Apr 30, 2021, at 3:36 PM, 'Heather M.c.' via ODSP Fireside <odspfi...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



Scott Young

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May 3, 2021, 3:07:40 AM5/3/21
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I've been through the internal review process and the Social Benefits Tribunal in this town, I used legal aid sometimes and sometimes not. If I can help let me know, I will never give advice on law but I can tell you what I've experienced or like Louise did, look for directives. 👍👊
This is exactly how this site used to be.🙂

From: odspfi...@googlegroups.com <odspfi...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Louise <justic...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 3, 2021 3:01:04 AM
To: odspfi...@googlegroups.com <odspfi...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [odspfireside: 52762 ] Do you recall.....
 

Heather M.c.

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May 3, 2021, 5:33:25 AM5/3/21
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OMgosh Louise

Thanks so much for all that work it must have taken for you to find this.

It explains allot.
I am grateful for your help.
Heather

L B

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May 3, 2021, 8:07:49 AM5/3/21
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No problem.

Everyone….  This link will take you to the index for all directives for social assistance - ODSP, OW, and  Employment Supports for both of them: https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/directives/index.aspx

I recommend you save it. It’s invaluable for troubleshooting the problems we often run into.

Louise


On May 3, 2021, at 5:33 AM, 'Heather M.c.' via ODSP Fireside <odspfi...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



Scott Young

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May 3, 2021, 12:42:02 PM5/3/21
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Download the Ontario Drug Formulary too guys, it's a list of what medications the province covers.
Mostly generics of course, but you can find out, not every doctor knows this stuff. Trust me.🙂
From: odspfi...@googlegroups.com <odspfi...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of L B <justic...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 3, 2021 8:07:45 AM
To: odspfi...@googlegroups.com <odspfi...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [odspfireside: 52765 ] Do you recall.....
 

Karen Szumski

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May 3, 2021, 2:25:56 PM5/3/21
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Does your son get his own Ontario works or ODSP?  If so, then he would have to pay you, and if not it would be included on your odsp for the month. If he gets his own the amount for him as a dependent of yours is taken away on your monthly payment.

Call your worker and find out?  If it is an error they can correct it asap or advised you of any documentation you must complete again as some things have to be reapplied for yearly.

Thank  you,


Karen S


From: 'Heather M.c.' via ODSP Fireside <odspfi...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: May 3, 2021 5:33 AM
To: odspfi...@googlegroups.com <odspfi...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [odspfireside: 52764 ] Do you recall.....
 

Scott Young

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May 3, 2021, 4:24:54 PM5/3/21
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If he is on ODSP he should qualify for board and lodge, he doesn't have to pay rent. Let me know if you need help finding the directive.
From: odspfi...@googlegroups.com <odspfi...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Karen Szumski <kary...@hotmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 3, 2021 2:25:51 PM
To: odspfi...@googlegroups.com <odspfi...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [odspfireside: 52768 ] Do you recall.....
 

abrowne

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May 3, 2021, 4:51:16 PM5/3/21
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I continue to practice.  I have a legal office downtown St. Catharines.  Have we ever met, Scott?

Angela

Scott Young

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May 3, 2021, 5:02:53 PM5/3/21
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No lol, we may  have seen each other on the street and never known. I was in Niagara Falls at that time.
From: 'abrowne' via ODSP Fireside <odspfi...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: May 3, 2021 4:51 PM
To: odspfi...@googlegroups.com <odspfi...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [odspfireside: 52770 ] Do you recall.....
 

L B

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May 31, 2021, 6:34:28 PM5/31/21
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Heather,

It’s what I love to do… share valid information to help others. The system sucks. The least I can do is share useful knowledge to help another person.

I used to be part of an activist group for people on ODSP, but I got squeezed out. Even still, I learned a lot, so I’ll share the information.

These problems are systemic. We can’t fix them on our own. We can, however, help each other. That’s why I do what I do.

Some people don’t like me For my outspokenness, but who cares. I’m not going to leave people in the lurch.

Take care.

Louise 


On May 3, 2021, at 5:33 AM, 'Heather M.c.' via ODSP Fireside <odspfi...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



Scott Young

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May 31, 2021, 6:41:59 PM5/31/21
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Good for you Louise. 

From: odspfi...@googlegroups.com <odspfi...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of L B <justic...@gmail.com>
Sent: May 31, 2021 6:34 PM
To: odspfi...@googlegroups.com <odspfi...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [odspfireside: 52782 ] Do you recall.....
 
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