Sustaining Income
and
Retirement Lifestyles
www.GuaranteedIncome4Life.ca
Brian Weatherdon
CERTIFIED RETIREMENT COACH
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
(905) 637-3500 x 223
[email protected]
LONG TERM WAITS
L ocal Health Integration Networks (LHINs, previously
CCAC) are crown agencies established by the Government of
Ontario to plan, coordinate, integrate and fund health services
at a local level, including Community Health Centres, Long-
term Care Homes, Mental health and addiction agencies, and
support service agencies.
The availability of long-term care home beds is coordinated
through one’s local LHIN; wait-times can vary based on home
location, bed type, eligibility category, individual need, and
cost specified by your budget.
In Burlington, for example, there are 10 long-term care
homes, totalling 1,279 spaces available. Some of these homes
may have 11 people on a wait list, while larger homes may
have upwards of 250 on a wait list. On average anywhere from
2 to 5 beds become available each month, and the average
length of wait can be from 1 to 2 years, depending on type
of care needed.
For specific cities/LHINs and their respective wait times
please visit www.healthcareathome.ca/hnhb/en or start the
conversation with your family physician.•
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If you have a permanent mobility
impairment and cannot safely use public
transportation, you can apply for a
refund of part of the federal excise tax
on the gasoline you buy, or that others
buy to assist you. A qualified medical
practitioner must certify the impairment.
The refund amount is 1.5 cents per litre,
or 0.15 cents per kilometre. All claims
must be made no later than 2 years after
the gasoline purchase date, and amounts
smaller than $5 will not be refunded. For
more information call 1-800-959-8281
or ask your tax preparer to assist.
Lots more online! www.silvergoldmagazine.ca
CHANGING ODSP
O n November 22 2018, Lisa MacLeod, the Minister
of Children, Community and Social Services, announced
proposed changes to the social assistance system in Ontario.
One change would make the Ontario Disability Support
Program (ODSP) definition of disability more like definitions
used in federal government benefit programs.
This proposed change would result in many low-income
people with disabilities in Ontario, who would qualify for
ODSP today, no longer eligible. They would instead have
to rely on the Ontario Works program, which provides a
lot less money in benefits; plus they will also be subject to
Ontario Works rules, which are much stricter around work
requirements and other expectations, and it is unclear whether
they would have access to critically important disability-related
health benefits.
The Campaign for Adequate Welfare & Disability Benefits,
Shelter Health Network, Hamilton Community Legal Clinic
and Health Providers Against Poverty, are recommending
anyone who qualifies for ODSP apply now before these
changes occur.
An ODSP sign-up clinic has been organized in Hamilton at
the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic, located at the First
Pilgrim United Church (200 Main St. E.), on March 14th
and March 28th from 12 to 3:30pm.
For more information and recommended documents to
bring: [email protected] or call (905) 526-9055•
ODSP
SIGN-UP CLINIC
March 14 and 28th
Recommended documents to bring:
1. ODSP Application from OW Case worker
2. Ontario Health Card
Unsure if you’re eligible? Check out this
website for more information on ODSP:
www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/
mcss/programs/social/odsp