Willow - Financial Guide - Windsor Regional Hospital
Transcription
Willow - Financial Guide - Windsor Regional Hospital
CO P I N G W I T H YO U R F I N A N C I A L CO N C E R N S WHEN YOU HAVE BREAST CANCER FIFTH ONTARIO EDITION Sponsored by Willow’s Services About Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada All of Willow’s services and programs are provided free of charge WILLOW’S PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM For over 15 years, Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada has provided free, survivor-driven support and information to anyone affected by breast cancer. From the individual diagnosed, to their family and caregivers, Willow makes sure no Canadian faces breast cancer alone. Survivorship needs are increasing. Through a peer support model, Willow’s Peer Support staff and volunteers are trained to share expertise and personal knowledge with anyone affected by breast cancer. They provide the information and skills necessary to help navigate the complex health care system. For more information visit www.willow.org or call 1-888-778-3100 WILLOW’S INFORMATION SERVICES This booklet was generously sponsored by Sun Life Financial. It is also available online at www.willow.org. Willow has a full-time health librarian who oversees one of the most complete consumer-focused breast cancer libraries in Canada. Willow provides critical and tailored information to answer clients’ unique questions and disseminates this information to them anywhere in Canada. Willow’s Support Group Program Willow teaches survivors to start and manage support groups within their communities across Canada. This allows those living with breast cancer access to crucial, accurate and important psychosocial support from a trained survivor. Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of wealth accumulation and protection products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Chartered in 1865, Sun Life Financial and its partners today have operations in key markets around the world. At Sun Life Financial, we always work with our customers’ best interests in mind; partnering with them directly, or through their employers, to provide sound financial solutions that will meet their changing needs throughout their lifetimes. We are deeply committed to giving back to the communities in which we live, work and do business, and we have a strong interest in overall health issues – especially in the area of health promotion and illness prevention. Sun Life Financial is proud to support Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada through this valuable resource, Coping With Your Financial Concerns When You Have Breast Cancer. WILLOW’S EDUCATION PROGRAM Breast cancer affects not only those diagnosed but also their family, friends and business associates. Willow offers unique seminars providing useful information and tips for dealing with breast cancer in the workplace. For more information about Willow and its programs call or visit us online. Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada 30 St. Patrick Street, 4th Floor Toronto ON M5T 3A3 1-888-778-3100 E-mail: [email protected] www.willow.org contents 6 8 Introduction 25 There’s Help Out There 25 Childcare What If I Can’t Work? 25 Home Help 8 Disability Income Insurance 26 Hospice/Palliative Care 9 Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits 27 Transportation 10 Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefits 10 Canada Pension Plan 30 Help 12 Disability Tax Credit 31 Power of Attorney 12 Ontario Works/Ontario Disability Support Program 32 Wills and Living Wills 14 Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation 32 Legal Aid With Financial And Legal Concerns 15 Breast Cancer Action Kingston 15 Front Line Collingwood Foundation 16 Veteran Affairs Canada 16 Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund 17 When It’s Not Covered By OHIP 17 Group Health Care Insurance 18 Interim Medical Coverage for Refugee Claimants 18 Ontario Drug Benefit Program 19 Trillium Drug Program 21 Free Drug Service for Oral/Subcutaneous Drugs 21 New Drug Funding Program 22 Assistive Devices Program 33 Appendix: Community Information Centres Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario • Introduction • • The words “you have breast cancer” mark the beginning of a journey. No matter what stage you are at, you may have serious worries about your personal finances. This booklet contains information about programs and services to help you address your financial concerns. You may discover that you qualify for programs and services you didn’t even know existed. Although Willow cannot endorse any one of the specific programs, services or agencies listed, we can offer some general advice: • • • • • We encourage you to speak with your doctor and ask what his or her expectations are regarding your course of treatment, how long you might be off work and what limitations you may encounter. Oncology social workers are trained to help people with cancer connect to the resources they need, including financial aid. Talk to a member of your healthcare team to get a referral. It’s a good idea to examine and evaluate the various definitions of disability for the programs you may be accessing and determine how your illness and situation fits within those programs. If you are in the first stages of diagnosis and find yourself worrying about your financial future, take this time to find out what insurance, sick days, leave of absence and/or individual employer policy applies to your situation. While this may take some time, knowing in advance what you are entitled to claim can be reassuring. If you have supplemental health and/or disability insurance, either through a workplace benefits package or carried independently, make sure you are familiar with the terms and conditions of your coverage. Many disability policies require a waiting period prior to the start of coverage, so you may need to notify them immediately of your situation. Sponsored by • Before using your RRSP or the equity in your home to pay for expenses, consider speaking with a financial advisor. If you are worried about meeting payments on your credit card, loan or mortgage, consider speaking with your bank or lender to develop a new payment schedule. If friends or relatives offer to help or assist, try to accept their offers in the same spirit you would accept a gift. They are concerned for you and do want to help in any way they can. Remember, there is always help available at Willow. Just call us toll-free at 1-888-778-3100 for free information and support. Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario What If I Can’t Work? This first section addresses income replacement from insurance, federal government support, provincial government aid programs and registered charities. If you carry your own disability policy, review it carefully. If it is not completely clear, check with the agent who sold it to you. If you purchased coverage directly from an insurance company, you may need to check with the company. Other Insurance Coverage Review your own personal insurance holdings or check with your agent to determine if you have purchased other insurance coverage, such as critical illness insurance or long-term care insurance. Your agent can help you determine if your condition will qualify you to receive benefits. EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SICKNESS BENEFITS Employment Insurance (EI) provides sickness benefits to individuals who are unable to work because of sickness, injury or quarantine. Generally, you need to have worked 600 insured hours in the last 52 weeks and prove that your earnings have been reduced by at least 40% to qualify for sickness benefits. To see whether you meet the sickness benefits criteria, you will need to submit: • • • DISABILITY INCOME INSURANCE Disability insurance either may be part of your employee benefits package or carried independently. It provides for partial replacement of your regular income should you become seriously ill or disabled. The terms and conditions of these policies vary widely. If you are covered at work or covered under a spouse or partner’s workplace plan, ask the plan administrator for complete coverage details. If it is still unclear as to what is covered and for how long, ask the insurer for clarification. You do not have to discuss details of your particular situation at this point. Sponsored by a medical certificate, an application form records of employment from all employers you have worked for in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your last claim (whichever is the fewest) Employers are obliged to provide these records within five days of your notification. It’s important that you file your claim within four weeks or you may lose benefits. If you are unable to obtain these records within four weeks, you may file your claim using pay stubs or T4 slips to verify your employment history. Coverage may last for up to 15 weeks. After the coverage ends, you may be able to receive regular EI benefits if you are able to show that you have regained the ability to work and have no job to return to. For more information and application forms contact: Service Canada Toll free: 1-800-206-7218 Website: www.servicecanada.gc.ca 10 Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE COMPASSIONATE CARE BENEFITS This program provides for up to six weeks of benefits to those with EI coverage who must look after a gravely ill partner or family member. It requires both EI qualification and a medical certificate confirming the severity of the patient’s illness (generally this means a patient who is at risk of dying within six months). It may be shared amongst qualified family members so careful planning prior to filing may help optimize the benefits. a flat rate amount is combined with a calculated amount that is based on the number of years paid into CPP and the level of those contributions. Benefits start four months after the date you become eligible. Benefits end when you turn 65 and start to access CPP retirement pension benefits, return to work, or pass away; however, benefits paid to dependent children continue under the same terms until those children leave school or reach 25 years of age. There is also a variety of other programs that work in conjunction with care leave: regular EI benefits, parental or maternity benefits and/or sickness benefits. CPP benefits might affect other benefits you are receiving, so it’s best for you to contact any other benefit programs you are enrolled in before applying for CPP benefits. For more information and application forms contact: Service Canada Toll free: 1-800-206-7218 Website: www.servicecanada.gc.ca CANADA PENSION PLAN The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) provides basic monthly benefits when a plan contributor becomes disabled, retires or in the event of the contributor’s death, survivor benefits. Disabled is defined by CPP as either a physical or mental condition that is severe and prolonged. “Severe” means your condition prevents you from working regularly at any job, and “prolonged” means your condition is long-term or may result in your death. To qualify, you must: • • • be under age 65 have contributed to the CPP for a minimum number of years (generally this means four of the previous six years and at a level of at least 10% of each year’s maximum pensionable earnings of approx. $37,000) meet the disability criteria If you do not appear to have enough yearly contributions, there are some provisions that make exceptions for years spent raising young children at home. You may also qualify if your application has been delayed due to illness or if you acquired contribution credits from a former spouse or through foreign employment. A CPP disability pension does not prevent you from receiving a surviving spouse or common-law partner’s pension benefit; the two payments are combined to equal the maximum amount payable under the disability pension. The disability pension payment amount is based on two components: Sponsored by For more information and application forms contact: Service Canada Toll free: 1-800-277-9914 Website: www.servicecanada.gc.ca 11 12 Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario DISABILITY TAX CREDIT The Disability Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit that can be used to reduce the amount of income tax you have to pay. If partial use of this tax credit reduces your federal tax payable to zero, you can transfer the remainder to your spouse, common-law partner or another supporting person. It is not available to all persons with disabilities and is not automatically given to those receiving CPP disability benefits or disability benefits from insurance. You may be able to claim the Disability Tax Credit if: • • • you have a severe mental or physical impairment that causes you to be markedly restricted in any of the activities of daily living (walking, speaking, thinking, hearing, feeding and dressing, elimination) and the impairment is prolonged. or you require life-sustaining therapy and dedicate time specifically for this therapy (at least three times a week to an average of 14 hours a week for a period of at least 12 months) or you are blind, even with the use of corrective lenses or medication, and the impairment is prolonged (at least 12 months) Any of the above must be certified by a qualified caregiver (e.g., physician, optometrist, audiologist, occupational therapist, psychologist, speech-language pathologist). For more information contact: Canada Customs and Revenue Agency Toll free: 1-800-959-8281 Website: www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca ONTARIO WORKS/ONTARIO DISABILITY SUPPORT PROGRAM The Ontario Works program provides income and employment assistance for people who are in temporary financial need. Ontario Works requires that those receiving benefits actively seek employment, contribute to their community on a volunteer basis, or enroll in marketable skill enhancement programs. However, single parents with young children, seniors, or a person with a disability are not required to participate in Ontario Works employment services programs, nor is someone who is ill or caring for an aged family member on a regular basis. The Ontario Disability Support Program provides financial help for people with disabilities. It can help pay for living expenses, like food and housing. You may qualify for income support if you: • • • • The amount of income support you receive will depend on your: • • • • Sponsored by are in financial need are 18 years of age or older live in Ontario, and have a substantial physical or mental disability that: is expected to last a year or more, and makes it hard for you to care for yourself, take part in community life or work. family size income assets, and housing costs. 13 14 Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario If you qualify for income support, you and your family may also qualify for other benefits, such as: • • • • drug coverage dental coverage vision care transportation to medical appointments For more information contact: Ministry of Community and Social Services Toll free: 1-888-789-4199 Website: www.mcss.gov.on.ca/mcss/ Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation The Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation’s Snow Run for Fun Trust was established in 1999 by the late Kelly Shires (then just diagnosed with breast cancer) and her best friend Suzy Cayley. They wanted to find ways to ease the financial stresses confronting women undergoing breast cancer treatment so they started the Snow Run for Fun, a sponsored snowmobile ride that has been an amazingly successful fundraising event. The Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation offers up to $1,000 per application to qualifying individuals and you can apply up to four times a year (lifetime financial assistance is capped at $10,000). For more information contact: Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation Toll free: 1-877-436-6467 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.kellyshiresfoundation.org Speak to a breast cancer survivor who understands how you feel and can share information on how to cope with your financial concerns. Call Willow at 1-888-778-3100 Sponsored by Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Breast Cancer Action Kingston Breast Cancer Action Kingston offers financial assistance to women in the Kingston area to help with expenses such as medications, prostheses and bras, wigs, special garments and transportation to appointments. They can also help with some costs of daily living such as food, accommodation and utilities. Applicants are expected to canvass other sources of funds available in the community as well. For more information contact: Breast Cancer Action Kingston Telephone: 613-531-7912 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.bcakingston.org Front Line Collingwood Foundation Front Line Collingwood Foundation is a charitable organization supporting women and men in the Georgian Triangle area who have a demonstrated financial need and are undergoing breast cancer treatment. Funds are available to assist with short-term expenses incurred by patients undergoing breast cancer treatment. The eligibility requirements are: • • • demonstrated financial need currently undergoing breast cancer treatment resident of the Georgian Triangle or receiving treatment for breast cancer from doctors within the Georgian Triangle For more information contact: Front Line Collingwood Foundation Telephone: 705-443-8539 Toll Free: 1-866-308-2436 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.frontlinecollingwood.ca 15 16 Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Veteran Affairs Canada Veterans Affairs Canada provides treatment and other health-related benefits to veterans and their survivors/dependents. Benefits include medical, surgical and dental care, prosthetic devices, home adaptations, supplementary benefits such as travel costs for examinations or treatment, and other community healthcare services and benefits. For more information contact: Veteran Affairs Canada Toll free: 1-866-522-2122 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.vac-acc.gc.ca Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund Current and former members of the Naval Forces of Canada and their dependants may qualify for financial assistance from the Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund. Benefits may take the form of either a loan or grant depending on your circumstances. Applications are available at Veterans Affairs Canada offices or Royal Canadian Legion branches. For more information contact: Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund Telephone: 613-996-5087 Toll free: 1-888-557-8777 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.rcnbf.ca Other Options to Explore Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario When it’s not covered by OHIP Treatment for breast cancer may involve additional medical and drug costs beyond those covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). These costs may be as small as a single prescription for pain relief after surgery or a prescription for cortisone cream during radiation. However, your medical and drug costs may be much higher should you undergo extensive chemotherapy or suffer from lymphedema after treatment. GROUP HEALTH CARE INSURANCE For those covered by supplemental health insurance, either through a group plan at your place of employment or your partner’s place of employment, or carried independently if you are self-employed, many of the additional costs you might face may be covered. However, the level and duration of such coverage varies greatly from policy to policy. The only way to find out what coverage you have is to carefully check your policy and any accompanying handbooks or guides. If you are still uncertain as to what is or is not covered, check with a human resources officer in your workplace. You do not need to discuss any personal medical details at this time. • Are you a member of a professional association or union? Emergency loans or financial assistance may be available to members. Should you carry extended health coverage independently, read the information provided at the time of enrolment. If it is not absolutely clear, talk to either the agent who sold you the policy or the insurance company itself. • If you belong to a religious congregation (e.g., church, synagogue, mosque, temple), financial assistance may be available to you. There may also be a faith-based social service agency in your city (e.g., Jewish Family Services) that may be able to offer you financial assistance. Areas that may be covered are drugs, semi-private or private room accommodation in hospital, assistive devices, home nursing care and prostheses. Some policies may also include acupuncture, physiotherapy or massage therapy. Sponsored by 17 18 Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Should you have an insurance-related complaint that you cannot resolve with your insurance company, you can contact the Canadian Life and Health Insurance OmbudService (CLHIO). CLHIO is an independent service that assists consumers with concerns and complaints about life and health insurance products and services. Their objective is to provide fair and prompt resolution of problems. For more information contact: Canadian Life and Health Insurance OmbudService (CLHIO) Toll free: 1-888-295-8112 Website: www.clhio.ca INTERIM MEDICAL COVERAGE FOR REFUGEE CLAIMANTS Refugee claimants and their dependent children in Ontario receive essential medical care coverage through the Interim Federal Health (IFH) program run by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The program provides essential medical care for the treatment or prevention of serious medical and dental conditions. Lowest cost drug coverage is available for essential prescription medications and life-supporting drugs. Also eligible for coverage are refugee claimants and their dependent children appealing a negative decision or awaiting deportation. The IFH program covers convention refugees and those with permanent resident status while their OHIP applications are processed. For more information contact: Citizenship and Immigration Canada Interim Federal Health (IFH) Toll free: 1-888-242-2100 ONTARIO DRUG BENEFIT PROGRAM If you are an Ontario resident with a valid OHIP card, you are eligible for coverage under the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Program if you are: • • • • • at least 65 years old or resident in a long-term care facility/home for special care or receiving professional services under the Home Care program or recipient of benefits under the Trillium Drug program or receiving social assistance (Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support) Sponsored by Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario With certain deductibles or for a nominal fee, this program provides qualifying drug products. These drugs must be prescribed by authorized Ontario prescribers and purchased from an Ontario pharmacy online with the Ministry of Health’s Health Network or an Ontario doctor licensed to sell such drugs. Qualifying products include approximately 3,100 prescription drugs, some limited use drugs and nutritional supplements (if the patient meets the functional impairment criteria) and some diabetic testing strips. Depending on annual income, single seniors who have an annual income of $16,018 or more and senior couples with a combined annual income of $24,175 or more may be asked to pay some portion of their prescription drug costs. For example, a deductible of $100 plus up to $6.11 toward the dispensing fee each time they fill a prescription after the deductible has been paid. All other ODB eligible patients may be asked to pay up to $2.00 each time they fill a prescription. The Ministry of Health may also consider requests for coverage of drugs not listed if your doctor submits a written request on your behalf. This is called an individualized clinical review. The physician’s request must include: • • • the patient’s name, date of birth and Health Card number the clinical rationale for using the unlisted drug the doctor’s telephone and fax numbers Pre-approval must be granted before purchasing the unlisted drug if a receipt for an unlisted drug is going to count towards an applicant’s annual deductible. For more information contact: Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Drug Programs Branch Toll free: 1-866-811-9893 E-mail: [email protected] Connect with others and share your story. Join Willow’s online social networking community at: www.willow-talk.org 19 20 Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Once you have met your deductible, you may pay up to a $2.00 co-payment per prescription for drugs that fall under the Trillium Drug Program. If coverage for unlisted prescription drugs is desired, the same individualized clinical review procedure described in the previous Ontario Drug Benefit section can be followed under the Trillium Drug Program and the same limitations apply. For more information contact: Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Trillium Drug Program Toll free: 1-800-575-5386 E-mail: [email protected] TRILLIUM DRUG PROGRAM The Trillium Drug Program is an annual program that starts August 1 and ends the following year on July 31. It is designed to help individuals and families who spend a large portion of their income on prescription drugs. Applicants must re-apply each year to renew their Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) eligibility (see the previous section that outlines the ODB criteria). To apply for the Ontario drug benefits under the Trillium Drug Program, you must have: • • • a valid OHIP card either no insurance plan which covers prescription drugs or a plan which does not cover all costs of your drugs spent a large percentage (after amounts recovered under an insurance plan) of your income on drugs After you spend a certain amount on prescription drugs each year (known as the “deductible”) you will be eligible. The program looks at the number of people in your household and net income. Original prescription receipts must be submitted (or, if some expenses are covered under private insurance, copies of the receipts and original insurance statements). Sponsored by FREE DRUG SERVICE FOR ORAL/SUBCUTANEOUS DRUGS Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) runs this program for those in need of either oral or subcutaneous chemotherapy drugs or other adjuvant drugs on a fairly restricted basis for anyone unable to meet the deductible and co-payment expenses required under the Trillium Drug Program. To qualify, you must be under 65 years old with no private insurance or coverage granted through any other assistance program. Income level must be verified through either a social worker or a public health nurse. Not all drugs are covered in this program so contact CCO for a complete listing. For more information contact: Cancer Care Ontario Telephone: 416-971-9800 Website: www.cancercare.on.ca New Drug Funding Program This is another Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) program that ensures new effective chemotherapy drugs are equally available to everyone throughout Ontario, regardless of the local care facility’s drug budget. It ensures that new treatments are introduced in a standard manner throughout the province. Drugs funded under the New Drug Funding Program are listed on the CCO website. 21 22 Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Cancer Drug Benefits Navigator (CDBN) Cancer Care Ontario offers a toll-free support line to help answer your questions about your drug coverage options. You can call CDBN to find out how you can get drug coverage through both public and private channels, including industry-sponsored programs. CDBN staff can investigate the reimbursement options available to you and help you in applying for financial assistance. For more information contact: Cancer Drug Benefits Navigator (CDBN) Toll-free: 1-877-681-6551 ASSISTIVE DEVICES PROGRAM Lymphedema Garments Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario For Either Lymphedema Garments or Prostheses Purchase of your required equipment must be from a vendor registered with ADP. ADP has proscribed costs for these items. As long as the cost of your item does not exceed the maximum amount set by ADP, you will pay approximately 25% of the cost and ADP covers the remaining 75%. Should your items exceed the ADP guidelines, you will be responsible for the coverage. Discuss this with the vendor before purchasing. They are very accustomed to dealing with ADP and are familiar with the billing procedures and cost guidelines. If you have extended health insurance, remember to check to see if any of your costs are covered. The Assistive Devices Program (ADP) is part of the Ontario Ministry of Health. ADP contributes towards the cost of medical equipment including breast prostheses and compression garments for chronic (secondary) lymphedema. You are able to apply for assistance if you are an Ontario resident, have a valid OHIP card and require a device or garment for at least six months of regular daily use. Replacement ADP forms can be accessed through a medical specialist, such as an oncologist or plastic surgeon. Your specialist will also refer you to an authorizer to assess your specific needs and prescribe the appropriate equipment or supplies. An “authorizer” may be an occupational therapist or a physiotherapist registered with ADP. Prostheses may be replaced after a minimum two-year period unless your doctor verifies a change in your medical condition. Check the limitations on replacement items carefully. Note that ADP will not replace lost, stolen or abused equipment within the minimum replacement period. Prostheses ADP will contribute to the cost of one or two prostheses depending on whether you have had a single or double mastectomy or lumpectomy. It will not cover bras, temporary prostheses, silicone nipples or breast implants. The prostheses vendor must provide you with a written warranty against manufacturer’s defects for at least two years, as well as guarantee the fit for at least two years, barring changes in your size or medical condition. Should you change sizes, your doctor will have to re-file the form. ADP will pay for replacement items as your needs change or as wear and tear take their toll. However, this too is on a limited basis. Although the funding formula is the same as it is for the initial purchase, generally, lymphedema compression garments (i.e., three sets, two garments each) can be replaced every 12 months. For more information or forms contact: Assistive Devices Program Toll free: 1-800-268-6021 (within Ontario only) Website: www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/adp/adp_mn.html Other Programs for Assistive Devices Ontario March of Dimes offers an Assisted Devices Program that provides partial funding for the purchase and maintenance of equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, braces and communication devices. For more information contact: Ontario March of Dimes - Assistive Devices Program Toll free: 1-866-765-7237 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.marchofdimes.ca Sponsored by 23 24 Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario MODmobility, a partnership between Motion Specialties Inc. and March of Dimes Canada, is a service that offers recycled mobility equipment for sale to the public. For more information contact: MODmobility Toll free: 1-866-976-6632 Website: www.modmobility.ca Canadian Red Cross operates a Health Equipment Loan Program. For everything from wheelchairs to commodes to walkers, your local Red Cross may be able to lend it to you temporarily. For more information contact: Canadian Red Cross - Ontario Zone Telephone: 905-890-1000 Website: www.redcross.ca Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario There’s Help Out There This section covers a variety of support services that can help you, and your family, get through a difficult time. CHILDCARE You may find that you need some extra help in caring for your children or may want to have some quiet time for yourself. This is an excellent time to explore some of those “if you need anything, just call” offers. If family and friends are not an option or can’t provide what you need, there are several places to call to find out what child care options are available in your area. Community Information Centres (see appendix) are a good place to start. CICs do not supply any services directly but can give you information about services in your community, including child care. Ask about afterschool care programs, part-time daycare geared to your financial limitations, recreation programs or community centre programs centered on either specific activities or straightforward daycare. If you need child care during your appointment at a cancer centre, check to see if on-site care is offered. Where offered, this care is provided at no charge. HOME HELP If you need home help, contact your local Community Care Access Centre (CCACs). Created as the first step towards providing care in the home/ community rather than in the hospital, they are designed to handle many issues that arise when a patient is ill at home. Services that CCACs can provide include personal care attendance, home physiotherapy, nursing, social work and visiting. You must have a valid OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) card to qualify for CCAC services. They will assess your situation and arrange for the support services you need. For more information contact: Community Care Access Centres Telephone: 310-CCAC (2222) Website: www.ccac-ont.ca Sponsored by 25 26 Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario If you are not covered by OHIP, check to see if there is a Community Health Centre in your area. They too can refer you to community services and medical care that you might otherwise have a hard time accessing. For more information contact: Association of Ontario Health Centres Telephone: 416-236-2539 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.aohc.org You can also try contacting your local Community Information Centre (see appendix) or the Canadian Cancer Society information line at 1-888-939-3333 if the CCAC has not been able to provide the service you are seeking. Hospice/Palliative Care Palliative care specializes in the relief of the pain, symptoms and stress of serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for patients and their families. Palliative care is appropriate at any point in an illness. It can be provided at the same time as active treatment that is meant to cure your illness. A key benefit to palliative care is that it customizes treatment to meet the needs of the individual patient. Care is provided by a team of experts that may include palliative care doctors, nurses and social workers. Chaplains, massage therapists, pharmacists, nutritionists and others might be part of the team. Palliative care teams provide: • • • • expert treatment of pain and other symptoms clear and concise communication help navigating the health care system guidance with difficult Hospices are community-based volunteer organizations dedicated to helping people who are living with a life-threatening or terminal illness. Their mission is to help people live at home, wherever that may be, or in a home-like setting as comfortably and fully as possible. They provide support to families and friends, with a range of services focused on quality of life until the end of life, as well as bereavement support for loved ones. Sponsored by Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Hospice care always provides palliative care, however it focuses on patients who no longer seek curative treatments and often have a life expectancy of less than one year. By preventing and relieving pain and suffering, it provides comfort and improved quality of life for patients and their families during the time of dying and death and for a bereavement period. Hospice care is directed towards meeting physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs. It also encourages involvement of loved ones in planning treatment and care. A team of family, friends, healthcare professionals and volunteers can provide care in any setting – at home, in hospital, in nursing homes or in a hospice. While services provided vary somewhat from organization to organization, the range of services provided includes: • • • • • • • at-home nursing care respite care and caregiver relief complementary therapies trained volunteers to visit and provide support help with practical needs like shopping or appointments counseling to help adjust to pain or loss ongoing bereavement support after the death of a loved one The Hospice Association of Ontario has member agencies in more than 200 communities across Ontario. For more information contact: Hospice Association of Ontario Toll free: 1-800-349-3111 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.hospice.on.ca How about a break from everything once your treatment is over? Cottage Dreams provides cancer survivors the chance to spend a week in a donated cottage in Ontario’s cottage country. For more information contact: Cottage Dreams Telephone: 705-457-9100 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.cottagedreams.org 27 28 Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario TRANSPORTATION Depending on where you live, you may be looking for transportation assistance in getting to medical appointments either locally, out of town or out of country. Local Medical Appointments: The Canadian Cancer Society offers transportation assistance. Call their information line at 1-888-939-3333 to find out how they can help you access public transportation options or provide you with a volunteer driver. The Canadian Red Cross also provides subsidized transportation to and from medical appointments. Call Canadian Red Cross at 905-890-1000 for more information. Out Of Town Appointments: If your medical treatment is not available locally (within 40 km) and you must travel to get treatment elsewhere, you may be able to claim vehicle expenses (including gas) on your income tax. If you have to travel more than 80 km for treatment, you may also be able to claim the cost of your meals and accommodations. You can also claim travel expenses for someone to accompany you if a medical practitioner certifies in writing that you are unable to travel without assistance. For more information contact: Canada Revenue Agency Toll free: 1-800-959-8281 Website: www.cra-arc.gc.ca The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care also provides grants to help defray the costs of transportation and accommodation for eligible residents of Northern Ontario who must travel long distances within Ontario or to Manitoba to receive medical services. For more information contact: Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Toll free: 1-866-532-3161 Website: www.health.gov.on.ca Sponsored by Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Hope Air is a volunteer organization that flies patients for out-of-town treatments. Either through their own licensed volunteer pilots or with seats donated by commercial airlines and corporations, Hope Air’s service is primarily within Canada but flights to the U.S. may also be possible. For more information contact: Hope Air Telephone: 416-222-6335 Toll free: 1-877-346-4673 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.hopeair.org Out of Country Appointments: If you are going to the U.S. (or elsewhere) for treatments that are not available in Canada, check with the Canadian Cancer Society. Depending on the nature of these treatments they may be able to assist you with costs. Hope Air may also be of assistance if no other help is available. Other Options to Explore • Lost weight? Gained weight? Don’t think it will be permanent but in the meantime, nothing fits? You may want to consider buying some low-cost clothes at a thrift store or second-hand clothing store. • Food banks can provide supplementary items to your strapped food budget. Call a Community Information Centre (see appendix) to find out how and where to access one. • Pet food banks are a fairly new concept and might not exist in your community but it’s worth checking with your local SPCA or Humane Society. Some food banks may have a pet food section as well. • Your local public library is a great place for you to access free resources – books, videos, magazines and the Internet. 29 Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Help with Financial and Legal Concerns You may be feeling overwhelmed by your debts and are worried about your financial situation. Getting assistance with managing your finances may help. The kind of help you need will be an individual choice. You may start with your current financial advisor or accountant. They are probably already aware of your situation and the familiarity of dealing with someone you’ve known for a long time can make things easier. You may want to consider asking for financial advice from a friend or family member. Quite often family and friends are uncertain how best to help and support you; this may be the opportunity for them to feel really useful and for you to get the help you really do need. Here are some other options that you may want to consider: • Have you developed a relationship with a social worker at your hospital or treatment centre? If not, now is the time to do so. Not only are they familiar with services available in your area, they can also direct you to other services and entitlements that might help ease your situation. • • Are you a member of a support group? Check with people there; they may have already gone through this and may be able to give you advice. Your local Community Information Centre (see appendix) may be able to inform you of what financial counseling services are available in your area. Legal counseling may be required if you are having very serious debt problems. However, you may be able to resolve the situation with your financial counselor or even on your own. Speak directly to your creditors, mortgage holder, or landlord. Be frank about your situation. Generally, you’ll find people sympathetic and wanting to be helpful. Sponsored by POWER OF ATTORNEY If you are feeling unable to cope with the day-to-day business of bills, think about assigning limited power of attorney to someone you trust. A limited power of attorney describes exactly what the holder has authority to deal with. It can itemize as specifically as taxes and utility bills but not credit card or mortgage payments or whatever you might need. It protects you to the extent that, for instance, someone with power of attorney for utility bills cannot sell your house or access anything other than a designated bank account and even then, only in regard to the listed responsibilities. A full power of attorney gives the assignee full access to every aspect of your life and should be done, obviously, with careful consideration. Power of attorney forms that you can complete yourself are available free from the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (1-800-366-0335 or www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/family/pgt/). 31 32 Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario WILLS AND LIVING WILLS Legal help may also be required if you are writing your will or transferring assets. However, if your estate is modest and fairly straightforward, you can buy a will kit (sold in office supply and book stores) which you can use to make your own legal will. A living will is a document in which you specify what you want to happen if you are in a condition in which you can’t communicate your wishes about your treatment and personal care. Forms for creating a living will are available through your oncologist or hospital social worker. LEGAL AID Legal Aid is available to low income individuals for a variety of legal problems. If you qualify for Legal Aid, you are eligible for free legal advice, information and/or representation. For more information contact: Legal Aid Ontario Telephone: 416-979-2352 Toll Free: 1-800-668-8258 Website: www.legalaid.on.ca Appendix: Community Information Centres Community Information Centres (CICs) do not supply any services directly. Their purpose is to help you find community, social, health and government services in Ontario. Try them if you’re looking for anything from home help to counseling, meals on wheels to respite caregivers, child care to dental care. Residents of some Ontario areas have the option of using the free 211 telephone service, which has been designed to answer questions across the entire social services spectrum. Dial 211 to speak to an Information & Referral Specialist who can provide you with information on services and/or programs that meet your needs. The 211 service is offered in many languages and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The 211 service is currently available in Toronto, Ottawa, Niagara, Simcoe County, Halton, Peel, Windsor/Essex and Thunder Bay. You can also find out about services in these areas by searching the online databases available at www.211ontario.ca The following is a list of CICs in Ontario, in alphabetical order by city/town: Acton 211 Halton Telephone: Dial 211 www.211Halton.ca Acton Links2Care – Acton Branch 47 Mill St. E. Telephone: (519) 853-3310 www.links2care.ca Addington See Kingston Alliston 211 Simcoe County Telephone: Dial 211 www.211SimcoeCounty.ca Sponsored by CONTACT - South Simcoe Community Information Centre Telephone: (705) 435-4900 E-mail: [email protected] www.contactsouthsimcoe.ca Amherstburg Amherstburg Community Services 601 Sandwich St. S. Telephone: (519) 736-5471 E-mail: [email protected] www.amherstburg-cs.com Ancaster Ancaster Information Centre & Community Services 300 Wilson St. E. Telephone: (905) 648-6675 E-mail: [email protected] www.ancinfo.on.ca 34 Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Aurora Brock Information Aurora 1 Municipal Drive Telephone: (905) 727-8214 E-mail: [email protected] www.e-aurora.ca See also Richmond Hill See Cannington Ayr Information Burlington 2331 New St., 2nd Floor Telephone: (905) 639-4212 E-mail: [email protected] www.bpl.on.ca/libinfo/infob.htm See Cambridge Barrie 211 Simcoe County Telephone: Dial 211 www.211SimcoeCounty.ca Information Barrie - Barrie Public Library 60 Worsley St. Telephone: (705) 728-1010 E-mail: [email protected] www.library.barrie.on.ca/ Belle River Lakeshore Community Services 571-B Notre Dame St. Telephone: (519) 728-1435 E-mail: [email protected] www.lakeshorecommunity.net Burlington 211 Halton Telephone: Dial 211 www.211Halton.ca Caledon See Bolton Cambridge Information Cambridge and North Dumfries Regional Building, 151 Main St, 2nd Fl. Telephone: (519) 740-3030 www.informationcnd.org Cannington Brock Information Centre 30 Allan St. Telephone: (705) 432-2636 Chatham-Kent Belleville See Tilbury Volunteer & Information Quinte Century Place, 199 Front St, Unit 121 Telephone: (613) 969-8862 or 1-866-340-0899 E-mail: [email protected] www.viq.ca Christian Island Bolton See Midland Cobourg Erin Kawartha Lakes (City of) Info Erin East Wellington Advisory Group for Family Services 45 Main St Telephone: (519) 833-9696 See Cobourg Essex 211 Windsor Essex Telephone: Dial 211 www.211windsoressex.ca Essex Community Services 35 Victoria Ave., Unit 7 Telephone: (519) 776-4231 E-Mail: [email protected] www.essexcs.on.ca See also Windsor Flamborough Kent See Chatham Killaloe Community Resource Centre 15 Lake St. Telephone: (613) 757-3108 or 1-888-757-3108 E-mail: [email protected] www.crc-renfrewcounty.com Kingston Volunteer & Information Kingston 120 Clarence St. Telephone: (613) 542-1001 E-mail: [email protected] www.volunteerkingston.ca See Waterdown Kitchener Frontenac Community Information Centre of Waterloo Region 151 Frederick St, Ste 300 Telephone: (519) 579-3800 or 1-877-579-3859 E-mail: [email protected] www.waterlooregion.org/cic See Kingston Georgetown 211 Halton Telephone: Dial 211 www.211Halton.ca Links2Care 36 Armstrong Ave, Unit A Telephone: (905) 873-6502 E-mail: [email protected] www.links2care.ca FourInfo.com 1005 Elgin St W, Ste 203 Telephone: (905) 372-8913 or 1-800-396-6626 E-mail: [email protected] www.fourinfo.com Grand Valley Collingwood Haldimand See Orangeville Grenville Lambton See Sarnia Lanark See Kingston Leamington 211 Windsor-Essex Telephone: Dial 211 www.211WindsorEssex.ca Community Connection 275 First Ave. Telephone: Dial 211; (705) 445-0641 E-mail: [email protected] www.communityconnection.net or www.211SimcoeCounty.ca See Simcoe South Essex Community Centre 215 Talbot St. E. Telephone: (519) 326-8629 E-mail: [email protected] www.secc.on.ca Halton Hills Leeds & Grenville See Alliston Dundas Hamilton Bradford Information Dundas Grafton Sq. 2 King St. W., Ste 3A Telephone: (905) 627-5461 E-mail: [email protected] www.dundascommunityservices.on.ca Community Information Services 55 York Blvd., 5th Fl. Telephone: (905) 528-0104 E-mail: [email protected] www.inform.hamilton.ca Elmira Innisfil Woolwich Community Services 73 Arthur St. S. Telephone: (519) 669-5139 or 1-800-661-7918 E-mail: [email protected] See Alliston 211Peel Telephone: Dial 211 www.211Ontario.ca/peel Caledon Community Services Royal Courtyards, 18 King St. E., Upper Level Telephone: (905) 951-2300 or 1-800-985-2471 E-mail: [email protected] www.ccs4u.org Borden - Base See Alliston Brampton 211Peel Telephone: Dial 211 www.211Ontario.ca/peel Sponsored by See Kingston See Acton and Georgetown Haliburton See Cobourg See Kingston Lennox & Addington See Kingston London Information London – Southwest Community Care Access Centre 356 Oxford St. W. Telephone: (519) 641-5519 www.thehealthline.ca Malton See Mississauga 35 36 Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Markham Niagara Falls Information Markham & Volunteer Centre 101 Town Centre Blvd., Markham, ON L3R 9W3 Telephone: (905) 415-7500 E-mail: [email protected] www.informationmarkham.ca See also Richmond Hill 211 Niagara Telephone: Dial 211 www.211Niagara.ca See Orillia Information Niagara-Niagara Falls Branch 5017 Victoria Ave. Telephone: (905) 356-4636 E-mail: [email protected] www.informationniagara.com Middlesex County Norfolk Medonte See London Midland Community Link North Simcoe 67 Fourth St Telephone: (705) 528-6999 E-mail: [email protected] www.communitylink.ca 211 Simcoe County Telephone: Dial 211 www.211SimcoeCounty.ca Milton 211 Halton Telephone: Dial 211 www.211Halton.ca Milton Community Resource Centre Information Milton 1 Chris Hadfield Way Telephone: (905) 875-4636 E-mail: [email protected] Mississauga 211 Peel Telephone: Dial 211 www.211ontario.ca/peel Malton Community Information Service Westwood Mall, 7205 Goreway Dr. Telephone: (905) 677-6585 E-mail: [email protected] www.pinet.on.ca Mnjikaning First Nation See Orillia New Liskeard Information Timiskaming 883356 Hwy 65 East Telephone: (705) 647-5753 E-mail: [email protected] www.tritownchamber.ca Niagara See also St. Catharines Sponsored by See Simcoe Northumberland See Cobourg Oakville 211Halton Telephone: Dial 211 www.211Halton.ca Information Oakville 120 Navy St., 3rd Fl. Telephone: (905) 815-2046 E-mail: [email protected] Orangeville Dufferin Community Services 229 Broadway Ave. Telephone: (519) 941-6991 E-mail: [email protected] www.dufferincounty.on.ca Orillia 211 Simcoe County Telephone: Dial 211 www.211SimcoeCounty.ca Information Orillia 33 Mississauga St. E. Telephone: (705) 326-7743 E-mail: [email protected] www.informationorillia.org Oro-Medonte See Orillia Oshawa United Way – Information Durham 345 Simcoe St. S. Telephone: (905) 434-4636 E-mail: [email protected] www.informdurham.com Ottawa Community Information Centre of Ottawa 11 Rosemount Ave., Ste. 408 Telephone: (613) 241-4636 E-mail: [email protected] www.cominfo-ottawa.org Olde Forge Community Resource Centre 2730 Carling Ave. Telephone: (613) 829-9777 E-mail: [email protected] www.storm.ca/~forge Sarnia Penetanguishine Sault Ste. Marie See Midland Sault Ste. Marie Public Library Public Information Dept. 50 East St. Telephone: (705) 759-5236 www.ssmpl.ca Petawawa Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre 10-16 Regalbuto Ave. Telephone: (613) 687-1641 E-mail: [email protected] www.pmfrc.org Information Sarnia-Lambton Telephone: (519) 332-2814 E-mail: [email protected] www.informationsarnialambton.org Severn See Orillia Peterborough Shelburne Community Counseling & Resource Centre Information Centre 351 Charlotte St. Telephone: (705) 743-2523 E-mail: [email protected] www.fourinfo.com/vip See also Cobourg See Orangeville Port Colborne 211 Niagara Telephone: Dial 211 www.211Niagara.ca Simcoe Haldimand-Norfolk Information Centre 40 Colborne St. S. Telephone: (519) 426-6655 or 1-800-267-9434 E-mail: [email protected] www.haldimand-norfolk.info Simcoe County See Midland and Alliston Springwater Township Port Colborne See Midland Port Cares Community Resource Centre 92 Charlotte St. Telephone: (905) 834-3629 E-mail: [email protected] www.portcares.on.ca Tay Township Quinte See Belleville Ramara See Orillia Richmond Hill Helpmate Community Information & Volunteer Bureau - Richmond Hill Central Library 1 Atkinson St, 4th Fl. Telephone: (905) 884-3000 or 1-800-363-2412 E-mail: [email protected] www.inforichmondhill.org St. Catharines 211 Niagara Telephone: Dial 211 www.211Niagara.ca Information Niagara 301 St. Paul St. Telephone: (905) 682-6611 or 1-800-263-3695 E-mail: [email protected] www.informationniagara.com See Midland Thunder Bay 211 OntarioNorth Telephone: Dial 211 www.211OntarioNorth.ca Thunder Bay Community Information & Referral Centre Thunder Bay Victoria Ville Centre 125 Syndicate Ave. S. Telephone: (807) 626-9626 or 1-888-624-1729 E-mail: [email protected] www.lspc.ca Tilbury Tilbury Information and Help Centre 20 Queen St. N. Telephone: (519) 682-2268 E-mail: [email protected] www.unitedway.chatham-kent.on.ca Timiskaming See New Liskeard Tiny Township See Midland 37 38 Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Coping With Your Financial Concerns – Ontario Toronto Toronto – Parkdale 211 Toronto Telephone: Dial 211 www.211Toronto.ca Parkdale Community Information Centre 1303 Queen St. W. Telephone: (416) 393-7689 www.pcic.ca Albion Neighborhood Services Albion Centre 1530 Albion Rd., Ste. 205 Telephone: (416) 741-1553 www.albionservices.ca Bloor Information & Life Skills Centre 672 Dupont St., Ste. 314 Telephone: (416) 531-4613 E-mail: [email protected] www.bloorinfo.org Toronto – Scarborough Information Scarborough 4155 Sheppard Ave. E. Telephone: (416) 321-6912 E-mail: [email protected] Vaughan See Richmond Hill Waterdown Community Action Resource Centre 1652 Keele St. Telephone: (416) 652-2273 E-mail: [email protected] www.communityarc.ca Flamborough Information & Community Services 163 Dundas St. E. Telephone: (905) 689-7880 1-800-297-3427 E-mail: [email protected] www.infoflam.on.ca Community Action Resource Centre – Davenport Site 1884 Davenport Rd., Unit #1 Telephone: (416) 654-0299 E-mail: [email protected] www.communityarc.ca Waterloo Jewish Information Service of Greater Toronto 4600 Bathurst St., 4th Fl. E-mail: [email protected] www.jewishtoronto.com See Alliston Toronto Neighborhood Centre, Secord Community Centre 91 Barrington Ave. Telephone: (416) 698-1626 E-mail: [email protected] Neighborhood Information Post Parliament Street Public Library 269 Gerrard St. E., 2nd Fl. Telephone: (416) 924-2543 E-mail: [email protected] www.nipost.org Toronto – North York Community Information Fairview Fairview Mall, 1800 Sheppard Ave. E. Telephone: (416) 493-0752 E-mail: [email protected] www.communityinfofairview.org To obtain breast cancer support and information, contact: See Kitchener Wentworth See Hamilton West Gwillimbury Whitby Whitby Information Centre 405 Dundas St. W. Telephone: (905) 668-6531 E-mail: [email protected] www.whitbylibrary.on.ca See also Oshawa Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada 30 St. Patrick Street, 4th Floor Toronto, ON M5T 3A3 Toll free: 1-888-778-3100 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.willow.org, www.willow-talk.org Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and donors, all of Willow’s programs and services are delivered free of charge. Help ensure no one faces breast cancer alone by donating to Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada at 1-888-778-3100 or visit our website at www.willow.org. Windsor 211 Windsor-Essex 400 City Hall Square E., 4th Floor, Ste. 410 Telephone: Dial 211; (519) 258-0247 or 1-877746-4311 E-mail: [email protected] www.211windsoressex.ca Woolrich See Elmira © 2009 Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada holds the copyright on this publication. Permission is granted to display, copy, distribute, and download Willow materials for personal, non-commercial use only, provided you do not modify the materials and acknowledge the source of the material by crediting Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada. Sponsored by 39 ©2009 Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada Sponsored by