Disability benefits

konakat
konakat Member Posts: 6,085
edited June 2014 in Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer

I'm reading up about disability benefits in Canada, and of course, I find it confusing.  I don't understand the relationship between the Ontario disability benefits and CPP disability benefits. Can you collect both, or is it one or the other?  If it is only one, how on earth do you survive on $1000 a month?  Any info, especially for someone Stage IV in Ontario, would be most welcome.

Thanks!

Elizabeth

xox

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  • molly52
    molly52 Member Posts: 389
    edited September 2009

    Hi Elizabeth,

    I had never heard of Ontario disability benefits - so I did a little hunting around.  If you follow the link below - at about half way down - you will see a section on CLEO Community Legal Education Ontario.  Click on the first link - on page 3 (5 of 24), bottom half of page -  it looks as if you can apply for both.  There is a link to CLEO if you want to ask them.

    http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/services_and_supports.asp?cID=7661

    And you're right $1000 a month is not survival - covers rent and food, if that.

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited September 2009

    Elizabeth, I wish you'd get a reply from someone in Ontario because I'm rather curious myself. In Sask, the Sask Disability Agency is not for monetary benefits, persay. It's more to hook you up with a job tht you are able to do with your current condition and to help you apply for CPP benefits, if necessary. Depending on how long you worked in Canada and contributed, $1000.00 seems a little low. Is that the amount they've already said you'd be receiving on disability? Just in case no one else brings it up, your children are also entitled to a portion of that money if they are in school.

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  • konakat
    konakat Member Posts: 6,085
    edited September 2009

    The $1000 (actually was $979) was from the Ontario Disability benefits for a single person and is a lot more than Ontario Works provides (BTW--I've only had kittens, not babies in my life).  This is just from what I've read on the Ont gov website.  Hopefully I can get a 4-day/week job and make a lot more moula.  I guess I'll just have to visit the various agencies when I get home.  But thanks for your reply Gracie!

    Elizabeth

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  • She
    She Member Posts: 503
    edited September 2009

    Hey Kona,

    Canada Pension Disability is based on contributions and you would be allowed to make around $325 in employment earnings before they start deducting.  Most provinces, through their social assistance programs (welfare) provide a cash 'top up' and medical/dental assistance in the form of free meds and patrial payment of dental costs. 

    Getting CPP disability can be a frustrating process, lots of forms, doctors opinions, etc, but it's doable.  Sadly, Canada has a long way to go in assisting those with a permanent disabiity of any kind.

    Cheers, She

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited September 2009

    If you're Stage IV, it is not difficult. One form, copies of medical records.....that's it. My payments started the following month.

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  • konakat
    konakat Member Posts: 6,085
    edited September 2009

    Thank-you She and Gracie -- do you know how much, on average, a single person can receive?  it will help me budget...

    I'm going to print out what I can online and get the ball rolling when I visit Ottawa in Nov to see my doc and to find a place to live.  As much as I love my Mom, I don't think I could stay with her for long -- it'd be nice to have a place ready for Dec when I move back.

    Elizabeth

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited September 2009

     Hope this info helps. I found it in my CPP booklet.

    People receiving a CPP disability benefit in 2008 received, on average, about $799.14 each month. The benefit includes a fixed amount that everyone receives ($424.43 a month for 2009), plus an amount based on how much you contributed to the CPP during your entire working career. The most money you can receive from the disability benefit each month in 2009 is $1,105.99. Every January, there may be an increase to the CPP disability benefit to take into account any increase in the cost of living.

    The form you need to apply is available here:

    http://www.rhdcc-hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/isp/cpp/applicant.shtml#top

    Applicants who are terminally ill: special procedures

    Applicants who have a terminal illness will have their disability applications reviewed within 48 hours upon receipt of their application. Service Canada staff give these applications priority to determine eligibility quickly so that benefit payments can start as soon as possible. 

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  • konakat
    konakat Member Posts: 6,085
    edited September 2009

    Thankyou Gracie!!!

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  • She
    She Member Posts: 503
    edited October 2009

    Yes Gracie, great info .. thank you.  Elizabeth, good luck in your home & job hunt.  Don't forget to research OHIP (? .. I'm a left coaster..lol) and how long you'll have to wait to be covered.  In the meantime ... I'll join you if I may ... cake and ice cream!

    All the best, She

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  • konakat
    konakat Member Posts: 6,085
    edited October 2009

    Luckily the rules were changed for OHIP April 1 -- you can now out of the country working for up to 5 years and not lose OHIP!  What a break (omen to return??) -- if the law wasn't changed I would have a 3 month wait.

    My onc is hammering away with the chemo just in case I have a wait of a couple of weeks - she doesn't want me unmonitored.  Otherwise she'd have started a chemo break for me this month since I'm wiped out!  But I'll get everything set up for December. 

    Yeah -- cake and ice cream -- better than soooo many things...

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  • She
    She Member Posts: 503
    edited October 2009

    I can't remember if you said you already have a doc and an onc waiting for you in Ottawa.  Out west it seems regular doc's have gone by way of the dodo bird and it's all walk in clinics.  Regardless, I hope you're able to pre-arrange them.

    .. sigh I'm gonna have cake butt before much longer ..lol

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  • konakat
    konakat Member Posts: 6,085
    edited October 2009

    I have a doc that I've been going to for ages, but no onc in Ottawa (I had the joy of getting BC 6 months after moving to the US).  The big plan is that in Oct I'll send her all my BC records so she can set up an appt with an onc in Ottawa in Dec.  My sister is a doc and knows my doc well so she'll give her a call and let her know what's what.  Soooo, if I can get to Ottawa in Nov to find an appt I'll see my doc.  If not, I'll see her as soon as I get back.  And hopefully have an appt all lined up for the beginning if Dec too.

    Same thing in Ottawa -- no docs taking new patients -- a lot of people go to walk-ins too.  I'd miss having a relationship with a regular doc. 

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