financial help in Canada?

Marilyn33

Hi, I've been off work one year and not sure when/if I will be going back because of PTS, depression. I have no other income, have been turned down by LTD insurance that I have paid for years at work (through Manulife) because I did not follow doctor's orders of taking the traditional treatment protocol (chemo, rad'n, hormones) ... only did the surgery part. I have been seeing a naturopath and am taking supplements that cost me about 1000/month. I have hit the bottom of the pit, no more money, living on credit. Anybody have any suggestions for financial supports for cases like this? It is stressful enough without money problems. I am in Canada. Thanks for any suggestions.

leggo

Hi Marilyn. I'm unclear how LTD can turn you down. It's the doctor's decision I believe, not your insurance company. Did your doctor say you should be back at work? In any event, I'm guessing that if your doctor fills out the correct forms for the insurance company, you would be entitled to funds. Since you are off work for pts and depression, I would think your not following through with cancer treatment isn't even an issue. Failing that, you'd still be entitled too CPP, if your doctor verifies you are unable to work. Your doctor would be the one to talk to to get the ball rolling to get you an income. Good luck to you.

leggo

P.S., if you've already been on short term disability you have precedent to receive LTD, as long as your doctor still feels you are unable to work.

Marilyn33

Hi Gracie, thanks for your reply. My doctor is behind me, has written several times, filled out the forms stating that I am not able to work. And now I have a counsellor who is all for me and has written as well. It seems to be all very crooked as the insurance co and the union are both blaming the other's rules and I am caught in the middle. But it comes down to me not following doctor's orders and I took longer than they liked to seek counselling and take the antidepressants they wanted me to take. It's all bizarre. There is one final arbitration appeal set up for July 2 and I am very much stressed about all this. I am considering getting a lawyer but that costs money too. My life has turned upside down in the past year. p.s. I am receiving CPP disability.

leggo

Perhaps it's the wording in the forms? As long as your doctor makes it clear that you are seeking LTD due to depression and not cancer? So sorry you're having so much difficulty. I do know however, that if you had been getting LTD, CPP would only make up the difference up to a certain percentage of your income. Is CPP covering that amount now? Maybe that's why you're not getting LTD. It's usually somewhere around 60%, I think.

Beesie

Marilyn, are you saying that your benefits come to you through the union?  Has the union supported your claim for LTD?  My understanding is that you can't be refused by Manulife if your doctor and employer (or in this case, perhaps the union) supports the claim.  However gracie makes a good point.  In total, from both CPP and LTD, you can only expect 60% of your previous income.  I believe that's the max.

The other issue is the $1000 a month on supplements. With that type of expense, I can see why you need financial assistance. What are you taking that costs so much?  Are you buying these supplements through the naturopath?  Is there another way to get these supplements more cheaply, perhaps from an internet supplier?

leggo

Also, I don't know about what kind of prescription coverage Manulife offers, or if you're still covered, but if you are seeing an accredited naturopath, I'd bet some of what you're taking would be eligible for reimbursement. Mine covers 50%, providing the doctor prescribes it.

Marilyn33

Beesie, Thanks for writing. In answer to your question the benefits would come from Manulife who adjudicates the claim for the union. I was paying for LTD insurance through my union agreement (no option). My doctor supports the claim. The union has an advocate acting on my behalf; the union also has an advocate acting on behalf of the 'plan' (Manulife). THese two people are coworkers; they were both involved in my first appeal and I was denied (no reason was given as they say it is not necessary to give me a reason).  My understanding (although it is not clear) is that I was denied at first because I did not follow oncologist's orders of standard treatment, plus I did not immediately seek counselling/psychiatric help/drug therapy for my diagnosed PTSD,depression and anxiety (I was too much in shock and did not want to jump into that.) Anyway, I had a good income and even at 60%, I would be getting considerably more than what I get from CPP disability. The practice is that the insurance pymt would deduct what CPP pays.

As for supplements, I am taking Wobenzym (have cut in half what the naturopath has suggested due to cost), Pectasol C, a couple of antioxidants, Broccogen and QuenchFX, as well as VitD3 and Ubiquinol (CoQ10). Yes I buy these through the naturopath (tried online but not sure which companies to trust), and I buy the Wobenzym whenever I can find a sale (eg Sangsters) and they are all very expensive.  

Gracie, about prescription coverage through insurance, I tried that and they don't cover any of what I take. As of the end of this month my coverage for insurance will be done through my employer because that marks one year I've been on leave (unless I get okayed by my insurance LTD in which case I could be covered for another 2 years). I only wish the 'stars would align' for me. The naturopath is accredited and the cost was covered by insurance but not the supplements. Unfortunately, naturopaths and supplements are still not recognized as medical treatment yet, at least in Canada.

My life is consumed by this right now. Thanks for caring and for listening.

leggo

I really feel for you. The last thing anyone needs after a cancer diagnosis is financial stress. At the risk of sounding presumptious (because I really don't know your details), but all of this is none of your union's beeswax. Disability is based on your doctor's information to the insurance company. Sounds like a union rep (on the insurer's end) is sticking their nose where it doesn't belong. I have never heard of a union rep being on the side of the insurer. That is very weird.



As for the cost of the supplements, make sure you read the fine print of your benefits. I was actually pleasantly surprised that a naturopath was covered, along with the supplements. I only say this because you mention they covered the cost of the naturopath, but not the supplements. Double check to make sure those supplements won't be covered if your doctor says you are seeing benefit from them. Sometimes all it takes is a letter from your doctor on the naturopath's behalf.



And again, if you have already been on STD, they cannot deny you LTD, if your doctor says you are still unable to work. Sorry I cannot be of more help, but the union's involvement has me stumped.

Marilyn33

Thanks for your compassion, Gracie. Yes, I do believe it's none of the union's beeswax but with the LTD application I signed off on pretty well all privacy, and look what you get. Yes, hard to believe. In fact, even while off work I was required to keep up my monthly payments for the union as well as insurance. Now that a year is up there will be no more payments for that, at least. When this is all over (for the better I hope), I just may go public but it may not be worth it. It seems to me like the union is crooked.

As for supplements cost I will try again. Thanks for your suggestion, I'll check into it. I have an appt with my GP next week (now I have a good reason for the appt). (My doctor spells naturopath.... naturalpath, doesn't give me too much confidence.)

There was no STD. I used up all my sick days then got medical employment insurance for 12 weeks. That was last summer.

Gotta get back to my juicing...

HLB

I use the swanson website for supplements. Its the cheapest place I found and there are a lot of customer reviews. They have a lot of brands besides their own for less so you might find the ones you need there.

leggo

Marilyn, just so you don't get screwed over, and please know this was only my experience, I still continue to pay union dues and for benefits even though I'm on LTD. After one year on LTD, I received a letter saying that I would have to transfer my benefits to private insurance (at the same rate as my employer paid) in order to keep qualifying for benefits. My employer would no longer be responsible. Be careful not to let those benefits lapse unless hubby has great benefits that will cover all family members.

Marilyn33

Okay, I do believe I've been screwed over already. Even if I do get benefits, I quit paying last Dec because while I've been away from work the employees have broken away from this union and formed their own. (Can it get any better than this??) So I essentially quit paying dues. My figuring still comes to about $10,000 they'd owe me (minus taxes). Just not sure if it's worth getting a lawyer for... and time is running out. (don't have a hubby for benefits or 'allowance' either.) Isn't life grand!?

Did you get private insurance to cover you?

leggo

Jeezus Marilyn, I'm so sorry. That sucks. Yes, I did take up the offer for the private insurance, but they couldn't deny me coverage as it was part of my employee benefits package. Getting it without would probably be through-the-roof expensive with a cancer diagnosis, for the initial five years, anyway.



Ten grand is a lot of money. I'd say it's lawyer worthy, but you know us Canucks, we just don't do the sueing thing.....but it's money you sure could use. Don't know what I'd do.



I'm so sorry. Good luck with whatever you decide. Hopefully things will work out.

LynnefromAlberta1

Are you familiar with the Disability Tax Credit through Canada Revenue Agency...it could take up to six months, I am in the process.  I have been approved for CPP Disability but provincial AISH program has denied my application.  Learning that the systems outcomes is to deny applicants...with so much going on you still need to appeal.  

Kathy044

Isn't the Disability Tax Credit for those with a permanent disability? Perhaps those with stage iv breast cancer might qualify if the cancer has made a significant difference in daily functioning.

My husband qualified for a certificate because his bladder was removed as part of the surgery for bladder cancer. OK so that takes daily care as it is life threatening if you cannot remove urine from the kidneys. I had breast surgery about the same time, only a lumpectomy but even if it had been a breast that would not have been considered life threatening, nor in his case prostate removal.

I wonder if anyone has been able to claim a permanent disability due to lymph removal during cancer surgery resulting in severe Lymphedema. Probably not, even though lymphedema can lead to life threatening conditions if untreated,

Thanks for resurrecting this topic Lynne. I've started on doing my taxes, I'm five years post treatment yet I am still having to struggle to get my mind (and fingers) working as well as they did before cancer.

Kathy